All maps › Surrogacy › United Kingdom
Is surrogacy illegal in the United Kingdom?
Partly. Surrogacy is restricted in the United Kingdom. Unpaid surrogacy is legal, but paying a surrogate is not.
Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985 bans commercial surrogacy; unpaid domestic surrogacy allowed but contracts unenforceable (ISS report, Apr 2025; Law Commission reform still pending).
Source: Surrogacy Arrangements Act
Banned (18)Restricted (21)Allowed
- The United Kingdom is one of 18 countries where surrogacy is banned, and 21 more restrict it.
- Its neighbours: banned in 0 of 1.
- In Europe: banned in 14 of 39 countries.
Watch on YouTube
Who lives in a stricter country? Challenge a friend
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 the United Kingdom
Pit bullsPotassium bromatePufferfishFoie grasAnti-personnel landminesPepper sprayDeclawing catsAnimal testing for makeupAzodicarbonamide (the yoga mat chemical)AsbestosChlorinated chickenCorporal punishment in schoolsSex selectionIvoryWhale meatCluster munitionsEverything for United Kingdom ›
Vote for what we map next