Cyprus IVF Hospital Gender Selection: How It Works, What It Costs, and Where to Go
Gender Selection Through IVF in Cyprus: Everything You Need to Know
Gender selection — also called sex selection or family balancing — is one of the most searched-for fertility services in the world. And Cyprus, specifically North Cyprus, is one of the few places in the Mediterranean where it is fully legal and openly practised.
If you are considering travelling to a Cyprus IVF hospital for gender selection, this guide covers the science, the process, the costs, and the best cities to do it.
How Gender Selection Works in North Cyprus
Gender selection in North Cyprus is performed through [PGT-A (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies)](/treatments/pgt-a "PGT-A genetic testing explained"). Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Standard IVF or ICSI Cycle You undergo a normal IVF or ICSI cycle. This involves ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and fertilisation in the laboratory.
Step 2: Embryo Biopsy On day 5, when embryos have reached the blastocyst stage, an embryologist removes a few cells from each embryo's outer layer (trophectoderm). This does not harm the embryo.
Step 3: Genetic Analysis The biopsied cells are analysed to determine: - The sex chromosomes (XX for female, XY for male) - Whether the embryo has the correct number of chromosomes (reducing miscarriage risk)
Step 4: Selective Transfer Based on the results, you and your doctor choose which healthy embryo of your preferred sex to transfer. Remaining healthy embryos can be frozen for future use.
Accuracy: 99.9% — PGT-A is the most reliable method of gender selection available in modern medicine.
Where Gender Selection Is Legal (and Where It Is Not)
| Country | Gender Selection | Notes | |---------|-----------------|-------| | North Cyprus | Legal | Widely available, no restrictions | | South Cyprus | Illegal | Only for medical indications | | Turkey | Illegal | Prohibited by law | | UK | Illegal | Only for sex-linked genetic disorders | | Germany | Illegal | Strictly prohibited | | Spain | Illegal | Only for medical reasons | | USA | Legal | Available but very expensive | | Thailand | Legal | Limited clinics |
This legal framework is a major reason why patients from across Europe and the Middle East travel to North Cyprus for gender selection.
Gender Selection Costs in Cyprus IVF Hospitals
| City | Gender Selection (IVF + PGT-A) | IVF Only | |------|-------------------------------|----------| | [Nicosia](/blog/best-ivf-clinics-nicosia-lefkosa "Nicosia clinics") | €5,500 – €7,500 | €2,800 – €3,800 | | [Kyrenia](/blog/ivf-clinics-kyrenia-girne "Kyrenia clinics") | €5,000 – €7,000 | €2,500 – €3,500 | | [Famagusta](/blog/ivf-clinics-famagusta-gazimagusa "Famagusta clinics") | €4,800 – €6,800 | €2,300 – €3,200 |
These prices typically include the IVF/ICSI cycle plus PGT-A testing for up to 6–8 embryos. Medication (€700–€1,500) is usually extra.
Compare this to the USA, where gender selection costs $20,000–$30,000. North Cyprus offers the same technology at a fraction of the price.
Success Rates for Gender Selection in North Cyprus
Gender selection success depends on two factors:
1. Having Enough Embryos to Test The more embryos you produce, the higher the chance of having healthy embryos of your desired sex. Patients under 35 typically produce 8–15 eggs per cycle, giving excellent odds.
2. Embryo Quality PGT-A also screens for chromosomal abnormalities, so only the healthiest embryos are transferred. This actually improves overall IVF success rates — clinics report:
- Under 35: 65–75% pregnancy rate per transfer - 35–39: 55–65% pregnancy rate per transfer - 40+: Consider egg donation to maximise success
Who Chooses Gender Selection in Cyprus?
Family Balancing The most common reason. Couples who already have one or more children of the same sex and want a child of the opposite sex. This accounts for roughly 70% of gender selection patients.
Cultural or Personal Preferences Some patients have strong personal or cultural reasons for preferring a specific sex. North Cyprus clinics respect these wishes without judgement.
Medical Reasons Certain genetic conditions are sex-linked (like haemophilia or Duchenne muscular dystrophy). Gender selection can prevent passing these conditions to the next generation. For this, PGT-M may also be recommended.
The Ethical Framework
North Cyprus clinics approach gender selection responsibly: - No sex is valued above the other — clinics do not promote one gender over another - Counselling is offered to ensure patients have considered all aspects of their decision - Remaining embryos of the non-selected sex are not discarded — they can be frozen for future use or donated
Combining Gender Selection with Other Treatments
Many patients combine gender selection with: - [Egg donation](/treatments/donor-egg "Egg donation") — for patients over 40 or with low egg reserve - [Tandem IVF](/treatments/tandem-ivf "Tandem IVF") — using own eggs alongside donor eggs to maximise the chance of embryos of the desired sex - [Embryo freezing](/treatments/embryo-freezing "Embryo cryopreservation") — preserving healthy embryos of both sexes for future pregnancies
How to Choose a Cyprus IVF Hospital for Gender Selection
Look for: - In-house PGT-A laboratory or established partnership with a certified genetics lab - Transparent pricing that includes the cost of testing all embryos - Experienced embryologists with high blastocyst formation rates - Positive [patient reviews](/blog/cyprus-ivf-hospital-reviews-2026 "Cyprus IVF hospital reviews") specifically mentioning gender selection
Start Your Gender Selection Journey
Gender selection at a Cyprus IVF hospital is a well-established, safe, and legal option for family balancing. With costs starting from €4,800 in Famagusta and world-class facilities across all three cities, North Cyprus makes this technology accessible to patients who would otherwise face legal barriers or prohibitive costs.
Browse North Cyprus IVF clinics, compare pricing, and take the first step toward completing your family on your terms.
