How does egg donor compensation work in the UK?

Egg donors are among the most kind-hearted and selfless people, offering their time, and often personal sacrifice, to give the gift of life to others. The reasons for this compassion vary. Some women have been touched by the journey of a friend or family member, their family is already complete and they want others to experience the same joy, or some may simply wish to donate and help others on their path to parenthood.

We know making such an incredible decision to become an egg donor takes time.  So, here at Manchester Donors, we recommend that (you) research the donation process and understand the implications of becoming an egg donor. During your donation journey, you will meet our fully qualified counsellor who is here to discuss those implications and offer a listening ear on how you feel about donating. We want to reassure you all sessions are highly confidential.  For your selfless altruism, at the end of your donation journey, you will receive compensation for your time and commitment to helping others. 

In this blog, we go into more detail about egg donor compensation, what it means to donors, egg recipients, as well as the criteria for being an egg donor.

Compensation vs payment – what’s the difference?

So, what do we mean by compensation? Well, in the UK, it’s actually illegal to pay someone for their eggs, and this law is tightly regulated by the Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority (HFEA). Instead, £985 per cycle is compensated to donors for any financial losses you might encounter in connection with your donation, such as travel or childcare.

Unlike other countries, where rules on egg donor compensation can vary depending on clinics, donor programmes, or physical attributes, in the UK all donors are compensated exactly the same. 

Why do people need donor eggs?

There are many reasons that people depend on the generosity of others to enable them to have a family of their own. Over the years, Liz Johnson, Egg Donor Manager here at Manchester Donors has heard many stories from women who are unable to conceive naturally. 

“Aside from working with amazing donors, I am responsible for matching donors with recipients, some of whom have been waiting for a child for many years. There are many reasons egg donors are in high demand – such as the recipient’s eggs have deteriorated over time and are no longer of the quality required for treatment. Other reasons include illnesses or cancer treatments. Unfortunately, sometimes women are born with reproductive challenges. Whatever the reason, it’s our job to help.”

What is the criteria for donation?

To become an egg donor, you must meet the following criteria defined by the HFEA and Manchester Donors, which includes the following:

• Aged between 18 and 35
• Have a BMI (Body Mass Index) between 19 and 35
• Don’t smoke, or have stopped smoking for at least three months (including the use of e-cigarettes, nicotine gum and any other nicotine-based products)
• Willing to attend regular clinic appointments (including counselling via zoom)
• Possess a clear medical history with no genetic or hereditary disorders (such as Type 1 Diabetes)
• Willing to be identifiable to any child born using your eggs
• Willing to potentially change your current method of contraception, for example, the Mirena coil, implant or depo injection

Find out more about each factor here, along with why they are so important for the process and those involved.

Why choose Manchester Donors?

Our friendly donation team will guide and support you throughout your donation journey. They are here to ensure you feel comfortable, at ease, fully informed, and answer any questions you may have. Our team are compassionate and has an excellent understanding of the donation process, and knows how incredible being a donor is and how you help families’ dreams come true.

Read more about the team who will be supporting you here

If you would like to become an egg donor, apply today in less than five minutes, or call us on 0161 300 2734 for more information – we’d be happy to discuss whether egg donation is right for you.