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Is surrogacy illegal in the Netherlands?
Partly. Surrogacy is restricted in the Netherlands. Paid surrogacy is a crime; unpaid surrogacy happens legally.
Penal Code art. 151b bans commercial surrogacy and its mediation; non-commercial surrogacy possible in practice (Rijksoverheid; ISS report, Apr 2025; Fedele et al., Hum Reprod, Jun 2025).
Source: Dutch Penal Code art 151b
Banned (18)Restricted (21)Allowed
- The Netherlands is one of 18 countries where surrogacy is banned, and 21 more restrict it.
- Its neighbours: banned in 1 of 2 (Germany).
- 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 the Netherlands
Potassium bromateSpankingPufferfishFoie grasAnti-personnel landminesTitanium dioxide (E171)Plastic glitterPepper sprayDeclawing catsNicotine pouchesAnimal testing for makeupAzodicarbonamide (the yoga mat chemical)AsbestosChild marriageChlorinated chickenCorporal punishment in schoolsEverything for Netherlands ›
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