How much does it cost to freeze eggs?

For many people, trying for a family doesn’t always align with their most fertile years. Careers, education, financial stability, not having met the right partner, or simply not being ready can put having children well down the priority list. This is where freezing eggs has emerged as a potential way to extend reproductive options.

Freezing your eggs during your peak fertile years (typically before age 35) can preserve higher-quality eggs for future use. But while knowing that your eggs are stored can relieve pressure to rush into parenthood, there are no guarantees of success with frozen eggs. Because of that, your doctor may recommend multiple cycles – and that, in turn, increases the cost.

So, just how much is it to freeze your eggs and is it an option that you can realistically afford? 

How much does it cost to freeze eggs?

According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates Britain’s fertility industry, egg freezing costs for one full cycle, including medical supervision, sedation, retrieval, freezing, and the first year’s storage, generally falls between £3,850 and £6,500. 

If you choose to thaw and use the eggs later, that process typically costs another £2,500, bringing the entire journey (freezing eggs + thawing) to around £7,000-£8,000 – a not insignificant expense.

According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates Britain’s fertility industry, egg freezing costs for one full cycle, including medical supervision, sedation, retrieval, freezing, and the first year’s storage, generally falls between £3,850 and £6,500.

Are there ways to make freezing eggs cheaper?

There are a few practical ways that you might be able to reduce the cost of freezing eggs:

Compare clinics and locations

Prices vary widely, even within the same city. Look at the full cost (retrieval + medication + storage + eventual thaw/use), not just the advertised cycle fee. Also, as you might expect, non-London clinics are often cheaper if travel is feasible.

Look for all-inclusive egg freezing packages
Some fertility clinics offer all-inclusive packages that combine scans, medication, egg collection, and at least a year of storage into one fixed price. It’s also not unheard of for clinics to provide a discount if you commit to two to three cycles up front (useful if you are keen to undergo several rounds, which you may be advised to do if you are over the age of 38).

Ask about payment plans
Many clinics now provide interest-free payment plans to make it more manageable by spreading payments over time. And some also offer egg freezing refund programmes, where part of the cost is refunded if you don’t retrieve a certain number of eggs.

Freeze earlier
Yes, it’s easier said than done, and you may not be in a position to do so, but freezing eggs at a younger age (under 35) generally means fewer rounds needed and improves the chances of success later.

Consider the London Egg Bank’s Freeze and Share programme
At London Egg Bank, we can provide you with the chance to freeze your eggs for free when you choose to donate half of your eggs to someone who needs donor eggs to start their own family.

To qualify, you must be between 18 and 34 years old, have a BMI between 18-28, demonstrate a good ovarian reserve and be a non-smoker with no significant hereditary health issues.

An initial screening cost of £315 is required, but once accepted, the programme includes one egg freezing cycle, including consultations, meds, scans, monitoring, egg collection, lab processing, and counselling. On top of that, you’ll also receive two years of storage for your portion of frozen eggs. 

London Egg Bank’s Freeze and Share programme allows up to six cycles for free – this is far more than offered by similar schemes at other clinics. We also offer it at various locations across the country, limiting the need for travel.

With one of the highest numbers of egg freezing and thawing cycles with frozen eggs in the UK, we manage the egg-freezing process from start to finish to ensure the highest quality of eggs. And our success rates speak for themselves.

Is it right for you? Well, if you choose to donate your eggs, it can drastically reduce up-front expenses, but do remember the realities of egg donation: children born from donated eggs in the UK can request identifying information about you at age 18 (although you won’t have legal or financial responsibility).

Egg donation can be empowering and altruistic, though, enabling other women to have families who otherwise may not be able to. If you want to find out more, have a read of past patients’ experiences of the Freeze and Share programme

London Egg Bank’s Freeze and Share programme allows up to six cycles for free – this is far more than offered by similar schemes at other clinics. We also offer it at various locations across the country, limiting the need for travel.

How much does it cost to freeze eggs? Final thoughts

Lowering the cost of freezing eggs is definitely possible. For some, a multi-cycle package might make egg freezing manageable. For others, schemes like Freeze and Share, involving egg donation, offer a way to access treatment at little or no cost, though they come with trade-offs that need careful consideration. 

Ultimately, the most cost-effective strategy is the one that aligns with your long-term plans, comfort level, and resources, so you can preserve your fertility without compromising your peace of mind.