Is surrogacy illegal in France?
Yes. Surrogacy is banned in France. Every surrogacy deal is void, and its top court said so again in 2026.
Civil Code arts 16-7 and 16-9: any surrogacy agreement is null and of public order; Cour de cassation plenary ruling of 3 Jul 2026 (no 24-50.028) reaffirmed the prohibition.
Source: French Civil Code art 16-7
Banned (18)Restricted (21)Allowed
- France is one of 18 countries where surrogacy is banned, and 21 more restrict it.
- Its neighbours: banned in 4 of 8 (Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland).
- In Europe: banned in 14 of 39 countries.
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Other countries that ban surrogacy
China
Serbia
Croatia
Austria
Spain
Finland
Slovakia
Lithuania
Slovenia
Malta
Saudi Arabia
Morocco
Germany
ItalyAll 18 on the map ›What else is banned in France
Pit bullsPhones in schoolsPlastic bagsPotassium bromateSpankingPufferfishAnti-personnel landminesTitanium dioxide (E171)Plastic glitterDeclawing catsNicotine pouchesAnimal testing for makeupAzodicarbonamide (the yoga mat chemical)AsbestosChlorinated chickenCorporal punishment in schoolsEverything for France ›
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