Does it make a difference if I have treatment in the UK or abroad?

Yes. Fertility treatment in each country in the world is governed by different laws and regulations. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act in the UK provides the legal and regulatory framework for UK treatment, but if conception takes place outside of the UK then none of the provisions of this Act apply; for instance, children conceived abroad cannot have their names on the HFEA register, even if sperm or eggs from the UK were exported to contribute to treatment. Unlike in the UK, most overseas donors are anonymous, very little information is provided about them and they are paid for their eggs or sperm. See our guidance document Donor Conception Treatment Outside the UK for fuller information.