IVF in Thessaloniki: Northern Greece's Leading Fertility Clinics & Egg Donation Hub
Thessaloniki: Northern Greece's Fertility Capital
Thessaloniki is home to Embryolab — one of Europe's most consistently cited fertility laboratories — and a cluster of specialist reproductive medicine clinics that together serve thousands of international patients every year. Greece's second city offers everything Athens does in terms of legal framework and clinical quality, wrapped in a more intimate, walkable urban setting with its own international airport and direct connections across Europe and the Middle East.
For patients from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, and beyond, Thessaloniki has become a serious alternative to Athens: lower living costs during treatment, no waiting list for egg donation, and access to a clinic — Embryolab — that has built its international reputation on transparent data and consistently high laboratory standards.
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Why Choose Thessaloniki for IVF?
- Home of Embryolab: One of the most internationally recognised fertility laboratories in Europe, with independently verifiable success data and a dedicated international patient programme - Anonymous egg donation, immediate availability: Greece's legal framework mandates anonymity; most Thessaloniki clinics match recipients within 2–6 weeks - EU-regulated clinical standards: All clinics licensed and inspected by Greece's National Authority for Medically Assisted Reproduction (ΕΕΑΑ) - Competitive pricing: IVF with own eggs from €3,500; egg donation from €5,000 — significantly below Spain, Denmark, or the UK - Accessible city: Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) connects directly to London Heathrow, Berlin, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Vienna, Zurich, and Tel Aviv; the airport is 15 minutes from the city centre - Single women and same-sex couples: Greek Law 3305/2005 permits access without restriction; no partner required - Age limit of 54: Women up to age 54 can legally access IVF and donor egg IVF in Greece
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Best IVF Clinics in Thessaloniki
Embryolab Fertility Clinic
Embryolab is the standout name in Thessaloniki — and arguably in all of Greece for international fertility patients. Founded in 2004, the clinic has built a reputation on three pillars: laboratory excellence, transparent outcome reporting, and an international-first patient experience.
The Embryolab laboratory has received recognition from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the clinic regularly participates in European multicentre research. Its embryology team uses continuous time-lapse monitoring (EmbryoScope+), vitrification for all freeze cycles, and a strict single-embryo-transfer policy where clinically appropriate — reducing multiple pregnancy risk while maintaining high live birth rates.
What makes Embryolab stand out for international patients:
- Dedicated international patient coordinator from first inquiry through to post-transfer follow-up - Video consultation with a senior reproductive endocrinologist before any commitment - Remote monitoring protocol: patients complete ovarian stimulation or uterine preparation at home, travelling to Thessaloniki only for egg retrieval or embryo transfer - Multilingual team: English, German, French, Russian, Spanish, Hebrew, and Arabic - Published cycle-level outcome data — not just headline percentages — allowing patients to assess results for their specific age group and diagnosis
Treatment menu at Embryolab:
- IVF and ICSI with own eggs - Egg donation IVF — fresh and frozen donor eggs - Embryo donation - Sperm donation - Tandem IVF (own eggs combined with donor eggs) - PGT-A — chromosomal screening before transfer - PGT-M — single-gene disorder screening - Fertility preservation — egg freezing for medical and elective patients - Surgical sperm retrieval (TESE, PESA, micro-TESE for severe male factor) - Frozen embryo transfer (FET)
Strengths: Europe-leading laboratory, transparent data, comprehensive treatment menu, dedicated international team Languages: English, German, French, Russian, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, Greek
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Assisting Nature — Assisted Reproduction & Genetics
Assisting Nature is Thessaloniki's second major IVF centre with a strong international reputation, particularly for patients with complex reproductive genetics needs. Founded and led by reproductive geneticists and senior embryologists, the clinic is a reference centre for PGT-M — the most sophisticated form of pre-implantation genetic testing, used to screen embryos for single-gene conditions such as cystic fibrosis, BRCA mutations, beta-thalassaemia, and over 300 other disorders.
The clinic also runs a well-established egg donation programme with a rapid matching process, and accepts patients for IVF, ICSI, tandem IVF, and fertility preservation.
Strengths: Genetics expertise, PGT-M reference centre, complex case management Languages: English, Greek, German, French
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Mirogiannis IVF Centre
Mirogiannis IVF Centre is a long-established clinic in Thessaloniki serving both Greek domestic patients and international visitors. It offers the full range of assisted reproduction treatments — IVF, ICSI, egg donation, and frozen embryo transfer — and is known for personalised, continuity-of-care protocols where patients work consistently with the same clinical team throughout their cycle.
Strengths: Continuity of care, established local reputation, full treatment range Languages: English, Greek
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Aristotle University Hospital — Reproductive Medicine Unit
Papageorgiou Hospital — the university teaching hospital affiliated with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki — operates a reproductive medicine unit that combines academic research with clinical care. For patients with complex medical backgrounds who benefit from hospital-level backup (oncology, haematology, maternal-fetal medicine), the university hospital setting provides resources that standalone clinics cannot match.
The unit is particularly relevant for oncofertility patients — those freezing eggs or embryos before cancer treatment — and for cases requiring coordination with other medical specialties.
Strengths: Academic hospital backup, oncofertility, research-led protocols Languages: English, Greek
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Thessaloniki IVF Clinic Comparison
| Clinic | Key Strength | Egg Donation | PGT-A | PGT-M | Hospital Backup | |--------|-------------|:------------:|:-----:|:-----:|:---------------:| | Embryolab | Laboratory excellence & international experience | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | | Assisting Nature | Reproductive genetics & PGT-M | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | | Mirogiannis IVF | Continuity of care & full treatment range | Yes | Yes | No | No | | Papageorgiou Hospital | Academic research & hospital backup | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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IVF Cost in Thessaloniki 2026
IVF costs in Thessaloniki are broadly in line with Athens — Greek pricing benchmarks apply across both cities — with some variation by clinic and treatment complexity. The table below reflects the typical range at established clinics including Embryolab and Assisting Nature.
| Treatment | Cost (EUR) | |-----------|-----------| | IVF with own eggs (standard) | €3,500–€5,000 | | ICSI | €4,000–€5,500 | | Egg donation IVF (fresh donor) | €5,500–€7,500 | | Egg donation IVF (frozen donor eggs) | €4,800–€6,500 | | Frozen embryo transfer (FET) | €1,200–€2,000 | | PGT-A (up to 8 embryos) | €1,800–€3,000 | | PGT-M (single-gene disorder) | €2,500–€4,500 | | Egg freezing (elective) | €2,500–€3,800 | | Stimulation medications | €800–€2,200 | | Surgical sperm retrieval (TESE) | €800–€1,500 | | Initial consultation (video) | €100–€200 |
What packages typically include: Clinic fees, monitoring ultrasounds and blood tests, egg retrieval or embryo transfer procedure, embryo culture to blastocyst stage, and sperm preparation. Medications, embryo freezing fees, additional FET cycles, and genetic testing are priced separately.
Thessaloniki vs Other European Egg Donation Destinations
| Destination | Egg Donation Cost | Donor Anonymity | Avg Waiting Time | |------------|------------------|-----------------|-----------------| | Thessaloniki, Greece | €5,500–€7,500 | Anonymous | 2–6 weeks | | Athens, Greece | €5,000–€7,000 | Anonymous | 2–6 weeks | | Barcelona, Spain | €7,000–€9,500 | Anonymous | 2–8 weeks | | Prague, Czech Republic | €4,500–€6,500 | Anonymous | 4–10 weeks | | Nicosia, Cyprus | €4,500–€6,500 | Anonymous | 3–8 weeks | | London, UK | £12,000–£18,000 | Known/ID-release at 18 | 6–18 months | | Copenhagen, Denmark | €8,000–€11,000 | Known/ID-release at 18 | 6–12 months |
Thessaloniki sits at a comparable price point to Athens, meaningfully below Spain, and at a fraction of UK costs — while delivering EU-regulated clinical standards and no meaningful waiting list.
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Egg Donation in Thessaloniki
Egg donation is the most common reason international patients travel to Thessaloniki. Greece's anonymous donation law removes the 6–18 month waits common in the UK and Scandinavia, and Embryolab's well-organised donor programme is one of the reasons patients choose Thessaloniki specifically over other Greek cities.
How Egg Donation Works at Thessaloniki Clinics
Step 1 — Remote consultation A video call with the reproductive endocrinologist to review medical history, previous cycle outcomes, and suitability for donor egg IVF. No travel required.
Step 2 — Donor matching Anonymous donor profile shared: age (under 35), blood type, CMV status, physical characteristics, education background. Matching typically completed within 2–6 weeks.
Step 3 — Recipient preparation (at home) Oestrogen is started to prepare the uterine lining. Local monitoring (ultrasound and bloodwork) is coordinated through your GP or a local clinic and results sent to Thessaloniki by email. This phase takes approximately 2–3 weeks.
Step 4 — Donor stimulation and retrieval (Thessaloniki) The clinic manages the donor's stimulation cycle, monitoring, and egg retrieval entirely in-house.
Step 5 — Fertilisation and embryo culture ICSI is routinely used to fertilise donor eggs with the partner's or donor sperm. Embryos are cultured for 5–6 days to blastocyst stage under time-lapse monitoring.
Step 6 — Embryo transfer in Thessaloniki A brief procedure — typically 15–20 minutes — with no anaesthesia required. Most clinics recommend 2–3 days rest in Thessaloniki before flying home.
Step 7 — Pregnancy test Beta-hCG blood test 10–14 days after transfer, done locally. Ongoing support from Thessaloniki clinic team.
Fresh vs Frozen Donor Eggs in Thessaloniki
| Feature | Fresh Donor Cycle | Frozen Donor Eggs | |---------|------------------|-------------------| | Success rate | Marginally higher | Slightly lower (but still excellent) | | Scheduling | Synchronised with donor; less flexible | Flexible — transfer date set around your schedule | | Cost | Slightly higher | Slightly lower | | Availability | Requires active donor; 2–6 week wait | Immediately available if eggs in bank | | Travel planning | Requires 7–10 days in Thessaloniki | Easier to plan fixed travel dates |
For international patients with demanding work schedules, frozen donor egg cycles offer significant scheduling advantages — a growing number of Thessaloniki patients choose this route.
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IVF Success Rates in Thessaloniki
Success rates at Thessaloniki's leading clinics, particularly Embryolab, are consistently among the highest in Greece and compare favourably with top European centres.
Own-Egg IVF Success Rates
| Age Group | Clinical Pregnancy Rate | Live Birth Rate | |-----------|------------------------|----------------| | Under 35 | 55–65% | 45–55% | | 35–37 | 45–55% | 36–46% | | 38–40 | 35–45% | 26–36% | | 41–42 | 22–32% | 14–22% | | 43–44 | 12–20% | 7–13% | | 45–54 | 5–12% | 2–8% |
Rates reflect per-transfer statistics using the clinic's own fresh embryos with ICSI. Cumulative success rates (across all embryos from one retrieval) will be higher.
Egg Donation Success Rates in Thessaloniki
Because donor age — not recipient age — is the primary determinant of egg quality, success rates in donor egg cycles are largely independent of the recipient's own age:
| Treatment | Clinical Pregnancy Rate | Live Birth Rate | |-----------|------------------------|----------------| | Egg donation (fresh donor, blastocyst transfer) | 65–78% | 56–68% | | Egg donation (frozen donor eggs) | 60–72% | 52–63% | | Egg donation + PGT-A | 72–82% | 63–74% |
The Role of PGT-A at Embryolab
PGT-A screens all embryos for chromosomal abnormalities (aneuploidy) before transfer. At Embryolab, PGT-A is routinely offered for:
- Women over 37 using own eggs - Patients with recurrent implantation failure (2+ failed transfers) - Recurrent miscarriage (2+ pregnancy losses) - Egg donation patients wanting to maximise success per transfer - Patients with a history of chromosomally abnormal pregnancies
PGT-A consistently improves live birth rates per transfer by 15–25 percentage points in the groups above, and reduces miscarriage risk by transferring only chromosomally normal embryos.
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Greek IVF Law: Key Facts for International Patients
Who Can Access IVF in Thessaloniki
- Women up to age 54: Greece's upper age limit for all forms of IVF, including donor egg cycles; individual clinics may apply stricter internal guidelines - Single women: Explicitly permitted under Greek Law 3305/2005 — no partner or justification required - Same-sex female couples: Full access to IVF and egg donation with no restrictions - International patients: No Greek residency required; overseas patients access clinics freely
Egg Donation Law in Greece
- Mandatory anonymity: Neither donors nor recipients can know each other's identity; the law does not permit open donation - Donor age: Must be under 35 at time of donation - Donor screening: Comprehensive medical, genetic, infectious disease, and psychological evaluation under EU Tissue Directive (2004/23/EC) and Greek national guidelines - Donor compensation: Regulated financial acknowledgement for time, inconvenience, and medical risk (not a commercial fee per egg) - No donor shortage: The donation model attracts sufficient donors to serve both Greek and international patients without significant waiting lists
Gender Selection and PGT
- Medical PGT-A: Permitted for chromosomal screening - PGT-M: Permitted for single-gene disorder screening (e.g., cystic fibrosis, BRCA1/2, thalassaemia) - Non-medical sex selection: Prohibited — family-balancing gender selection is not legal in Greece
Surrogacy in Greece
Altruistic gestational surrogacy is legal in Greece — the only EU member state where domestic surrogacy is legally regulated. A court must approve the arrangement before embryo transfer; commercial surrogacy is prohibited. This makes Greece a notable destination for intended parents pursuing surrogacy within an EU legal framework.
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Thessaloniki vs Athens for IVF: Which Should You Choose?
Both cities operate under identical Greek law, offer anonymous egg donation with short waits, and price competitively versus Western Europe. The practical differences between them are worth considering.
| Factor | Thessaloniki | Athens | |--------|------------|--------| | Flagship clinic | Embryolab (Europe-leading lab) | IASO Institute of Life, Eugonia, Gennima, Mitera | | Total clinic count | Smaller selection | Larger selection | | Genetics specialisation | Assisting Nature (PGT-M reference) | Multiple options | | City scale | Smaller, relaxed, walkable | Large cosmopolitan capital | | Living costs during treatment | Lower | Moderate | | Airport connections | SKG — good European coverage | ATH — extensive global hub | | Travel time from airport | 15 minutes to city centre | 40 minutes by metro | | Surrogacy | Available (legal in Greece) | Available (legal in Greece) | | Gastronomic reputation | Greece's food capital | Wide international options |
Choose Thessaloniki if: - You want to access Embryolab specifically — its laboratory reputation, international team, and published outcomes are the main draw for many patients - You have a complex genetic case requiring PGT-M at a specialist centre (Assisting Nature) - You prefer a smaller, slower-paced city during what can be a stressful treatment period - You are flying from Northern or Central Europe and prefer a shorter flight
Choose Athens if: - You want the widest possible choice of clinics and specialist opinions - You are flying from outside Europe and Athens (ATH) offers more direct routing - You plan to combine treatment with extended sightseeing across Greece
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Practical Travel Information for Thessaloniki
Getting to Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki International Airport "Makedonia" (SKG) sits 15 km south-east of the city centre — a 15-minute taxi or bus ride.
Direct scheduled connections include: - London Heathrow: ~3 hours 30 minutes (British Airways, Aegean) - London Gatwick / Stansted: ~3–3.5 hours (easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air) - Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich: ~2.5–3 hours - Amsterdam: ~3 hours - Vienna, Zurich: ~2.5 hours - Tel Aviv: ~2.5 hours - Dubai: ~4–4.5 hours (via connecting hubs) - Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen: ~3–3.5 hours
Patients from locations without a direct Thessaloniki connection often fly Athens (ATH) — a 55-minute domestic connection or 6-hour motorway drive — or connect via Heathrow, Frankfurt, or Istanbul.
How Long Do You Need in Thessaloniki?
| Treatment | Minimum Stay | Recommended Stay | |-----------|-------------|-----------------| | Egg donation (transfer only — home monitoring) | 5–7 days | 7–10 days | | Own-egg IVF (full stimulation cycle) | 14–21 days | 18–28 days | | Frozen embryo transfer (FET) | 3–5 days | 5–7 days | | PGT-A cycle (retrieval + biopsy + FET on same trip) | 3–4 weeks | 4–5 weeks |
Split protocol for egg donation patients: The majority of international patients complete their uterine preparation at home (3 weeks of oestrogen with local monitoring) and fly to Thessaloniki only for the 5–7 days around embryo transfer. This significantly reduces travel burden and cost.
Where to Stay in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is a compact city: most accommodation options are within a 10–20 minute taxi of Embryolab (Pylea district, eastern Thessaloniki). Useful areas include:
- City centre / Aristotelous Square: Walking access to the seafront promenade, restaurants, and cafes — popular for patients combining treatment with city life - Pylea / Panorama: Quiet residential suburbs closer to Embryolab; popular with patients in stimulation or recovery phases - Kalamaria: Coastal neighbourhood south-east of the centre; good for patients who prefer a quieter environment
Short-term apartments via Airbnb or VRBO suit patients on longer stays; Thessaloniki's hotel market is well-priced versus Athens.
Language and Local Support
English is the working language at all internationally-oriented Thessaloniki clinics. Embryolab's international team speaks German, French, Russian, Spanish, Hebrew, and Arabic. Greek is widely spoken throughout the city; English is understood in most hotels, restaurants, and pharmacies.
Local pharmacies stock fertility medications on prescription; Embryolab coordinators provide a medication list and often advise on nearby pharmacies for top-up supplies.
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Embryolab's International Programme: What to Expect
Embryolab's reputation draws patients from across Europe, the Middle East, Israel, and increasingly from North America and Australia. Its international programme is structured around minimising unnecessary travel while maintaining clinical quality.
Initial Inquiry and Consultation
The process begins online or by phone: a brief form captures the patient's history and treatment needs. A patient coordinator — not an administrator, but a medically trained liaison — responds typically within 24–48 hours. A video consultation with the reproductive endocrinologist follows. This consultation covers diagnosis review, treatment recommendations, and a personalised treatment plan with a full cost breakdown.
No commitment is required at this stage.
Medical Records and Protocol
Patients share previous cycle reports, hormonal bloodwork, ultrasound findings, sperm analysis, and any genetic test results. Embryolab's medical team reviews these to confirm or refine the recommended protocol. For egg donation patients, anonymous donor profiles are then prepared.
Remote Monitoring Coordination
Embryolab provides a monitoring protocol — a schedule of blood tests and ultrasound scans with target parameters — that patients follow at a local clinic or GP. Results are emailed to Thessaloniki; the team adjusts medication doses remotely and confirms when the patient is ready to travel.
On Arrival in Thessaloniki
A clinic coordinator meets patients at the airport or arranges transfer to their hotel. The day-one agenda typically includes a clinic tour, a face-to-face consultation with the treating doctor, and a final pre-procedure ultrasound. The coordinator remains a single point of contact for the duration of the stay — for medical questions, logistics, and any cultural or practical needs.
After the Transfer
Embryolab provides a two-week wait support protocol: progesterone dosing guidance, a symptom diary, and the option to contact the coordination team with questions. Beta-hCG blood test instructions are sent for the local lab. Positive results trigger a scan schedule; Embryolab coordinates with the patient's home obstetrician for ongoing pregnancy care.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Embryolab the best IVF clinic in Greece?
Embryolab in Thessaloniki is consistently ranked among Greece's top IVF centres and has a particularly strong international reputation. It publishes clinical outcomes publicly, participates in European research, and operates one of Greece's most structured international patient programmes. Whether it is the single "best" clinic depends on the patient's specific needs — for complex genetics cases, Assisting Nature (also in Thessaloniki) is a strong specialist alternative; for patients needing hospital backup, Athens' IASO or Mitera Hospital may be more appropriate.
Can single women access IVF in Thessaloniki?
Yes, without restriction. Greek Law 3305/2005 explicitly permits single women to access IVF, ICSI, and egg donation with no requirement for a partner or medical justification.
What is the egg donation waiting time in Thessaloniki?
Most Thessaloniki clinics — including Embryolab — match egg donation recipients with an anonymous donor within 2–6 weeks. This contrasts sharply with the 6–18 month waits common in the UK and 6–12 months in Scandinavia.
Is egg donation anonymous in Greece?
Yes. Greek law mandates anonymous donation. Neither recipients nor donors can discover each other's identity through the clinic or any legal mechanism. This is different from the UK, where donors must agree to identity release when the donor-conceived child turns 18.
How much does IVF with egg donation cost in Thessaloniki?
A full egg donation cycle in Thessaloniki — including clinic fees, donor retrieval, ICSI fertilisation, blastocyst culture, and one fresh embryo transfer — typically costs €5,500–€7,500, plus medications for the recipient (approximately €400–€700). PGT-A genetic testing is an additional €1,800–€3,000 if required.
Can I do monitoring at home and travel only for the transfer?
Yes. Embryolab and Assisting Nature both operate a split-cycle protocol for egg donation: uterine preparation and monitoring at home (with results emailed to Thessaloniki), and travel to Thessaloniki only for the embryo transfer — a trip of approximately 5–7 days.
Does Embryolab offer PGT-M for genetic disease screening?
Yes. Both Embryolab and Assisting Nature offer PGT-M for single-gene disorders. Assisting Nature is particularly well known as a PGT-M reference centre. This requires a 6–8 week development period before the IVF cycle begins.
Is surrogacy available in Thessaloniki?
Yes. Altruistic gestational surrogacy is legal throughout Greece — including Thessaloniki — and some clinics provide coordination services for intended parents and surrogates. Court approval of the surrogacy arrangement is required before embryo transfer. Commercial surrogacy is prohibited.
What is the age limit for IVF in Thessaloniki?
The legal maximum is 54 years old for all forms of IVF including donor egg IVF. Individual clinics may apply lower internal age limits depending on the patient's health status and medical history; this is worth clarifying during consultation.
How do I start the process with Embryolab?
Complete the inquiry form on the Embryolab website (or contact the international patient department directly by email or phone). A coordinator responds within 24–48 hours to schedule a video consultation. No travel is required for the initial consultation.
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Final Thoughts: Is Thessaloniki Right for Your Fertility Journey?
For patients whose priority is laboratory quality and clinical transparency, Thessaloniki — and Embryolab in particular — represents one of Europe's strongest IVF destinations. The combination of EU-regulated egg donation with no waiting list, costs well below Western Europe, a structured international patient pathway, and a genuinely world-class embryology laboratory makes Thessaloniki a compelling choice.
For own-egg patients, the city's clinics offer experienced teams, PGT-A for chromosomal screening, and access to advanced techniques including time-lapse monitoring and vitrification. For egg donation patients — especially those from the UK or Scandinavia where known donation has created long waits — Thessaloniki delivers fast matching, transparent outcomes, and a straightforward path to treatment.
Thessaloniki is also simply a city worth visiting: a university town with a vibrant food culture, a seafront promenade stretching along the Thermaic Gulf, and a pace of life that suits the rest and recovery a fertility treatment journey demands.
Start by exploring Greek fertility clinics, reading about egg donation IVF, or learning more about PGT-A genetic testing to understand how Thessaloniki's clinics can support your specific treatment needs.
