Do You Get Paid For Selling Your Eggs In The UK? | Manchester Donors

As one of the UK’s most successful egg donor banks, we are often asked many questions about how much money you receive from selling your eggs and how to sell your eggs. In this blog, we’ll share all the information you need to know about the difference between a payment and compensation for donating eggs, and who can become an egg donor.

When it comes to egg donation in the UK, it is illegal to pay someone for their eggs or for any woman to offer her eggs for sale at any price or to the highest bidder, so no ‘buying’ or ‘selling’ eggs is involved.

Unlike other countries such as America, where egg donors can often name a price and typically receive $8,000 upwards for donating their eggs – more if they are ‘in demand’ by being attractive and highly educated - in the UK, egg donation is tightly regulated by the HFEA, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

Can I sell my eggs?

Whilst there is no direct payment for donating your eggs in the UK, women cannot sell their eggs. Instead, women who become egg donors will receive £750 compensation for each donation cycle. This covers any expenses for attending each appointment, such as travel costs and any other expenses for your time and commitment.

Every woman who chooses to be an egg donor receives the same amount of compensation, no matter which egg donor bank you choose or what your physical attributes or characteristics are. Here at Manchester Donors, one of the UK’s leading egg donor banks, we welcome women from all walks of life, and every woman is treated equally with the highest standard of care.

What are the criteria to donate my eggs?

You must meet a specific criterion before you can proceed to the next steps of becoming a donor. The following criteria are set by the Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority (HFEA) and Manchester Donors;

• 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

Learn more about each of the criteria and why they are crucial to start the egg donation process here.

What is the egg donation process?

We understand that researching and considering what egg donation involves is very important before you take that first step of the egg donation process. It has to be right for you so that when you begin your donation journey, you feel fully prepared and comfortable for each stage.

A quick step-by-step guide of how the egg donation process works.

Why are donors compensated and not paid for their eggs?

When choosing to donate your eggs, it is important to understand the difference between being ‘paid’ and being ‘compensated’.

The women who have chosen to become egg donors have generously donated their eggs freely and are not paid for their actual eggs. You are compensated for the time, effort and commitment, taking into account all the various procedures and processes involved in egg donation.

Why do women sell their eggs?

Many of our donors are wonderful mothers who could not imagine life without their own children. Others might care for others as a profession, may even know someone going through fertility treatment, or simply want to help others as they may not want children of their own. Each woman has their own reason about making this amazing decision to help other women. Most of all, they all have this giving and caring nature about them and simply love to help others reach their dream of having a family.

How can I donate my eggs?

If you are thinking of becoming an egg donor, we have an excellent egg donation team to help you get started. Our donor programme assistants, Steph and Olivia, are here to talk you through the process, answer any questions and plan your next steps.

L-R: Steph & Olivia

If you want more information on how to go about donating your eggs, you can get in touch with us on 0161 300 2734.

Or, if you think you meet the criteria and want to get started today, complete our quick 5-minute application form here.