Can You Get IVF on the NHS? Eligibility and Number of Cycles

Yes, you can get IVF on the NHS if you are eligible. The NHS website says that if you are 39 or under, you may be eligible for up to 3 full cycles, and if you are 40 to 42, up to 1 full cycle. However, your local integrated care board (ICB) makes the final decision, and many areas add their own rules, such as limits on weight, smoking or existing children. Your GP can tell you what is available where you live.

What IVF is

IVF (in vitro fertilisation) is a fertility treatment where eggs are fertilised with sperm in a laboratory, and an embryo is then placed in the womb. It may be recommended if you are having difficulty getting pregnant and other treatments have not worked.

National eligibility guidance

If you are 39 or under

You may be eligible for 3 full cycles of IVF on the NHS if either:

• you have been trying to get pregnant through regular sex without contraception for at least 2 years, or
• you have had 12 cycles of artificial insemination, with at least 6 of these using intrauterine insemination (IUI)

If you are 40 to 42

You may be eligible for 1 full cycle if all of these apply:

• you have been trying to get pregnant for at least 2 years, or have had 12 cycles of artificial insemination (at least 6 by IUI)
• you have not had IVF before
• tests show your ovaries are likely to respond normally to fertility medicine

Your doctor will also discuss the extra risks of IVF from age 40.

When you can be referred sooner

In both age groups, if tests show you are unlikely to get pregnant without IVF, you should be referred for treatment straight away, without waiting 2 years.

Why the number of cycles varies by area

The guidance above sets out what may be offered, but local integrated care board (ICB)s decide who can have IVF in their area and make the final funding decision. The NHS website says some ICBs only offer IVF if:

• you are under a certain age
• you are a healthy weight
• you do not smoke
• you do not already have children

Some ICBs fund fewer than 3 cycles. This is why two people in similar situations can be offered different treatment depending on where they live.

How to get started

1. See your GP. Your GP can check your general health, arrange initial fertility tests for you and your partner if you have one, and explain the local IVF policy.
2. Initial tests. These may include blood tests, a semen analysis and scans.
3. Referral to a fertility clinic. If you meet the criteria, you will be referred to an NHS-funded fertility clinic.
4. Preparing for treatment. The clinic explains the process, the risks and benefits, and any tests needed, such as blood tests for HIV and hepatitis. By law, you must give written consent before treatment starts.

What a "full cycle" means

A full cycle of IVF usually includes stimulating the ovaries with medicine, collecting eggs, fertilising them in the laboratory, transferring an embryo, and in many cases freezing suitable embryos for later transfer. How your ICB defines a full cycle can affect how many embryo transfers are funded, so ask your clinic to explain.

Improving your chances

The NHS website says your chance of having a baby with IVF depends on factors including the cause of your fertility problems, your age, your BMI, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol. A GP or the fertility clinic can talk you through your own situation.

Paying for IVF privately

If you are not eligible for NHS treatment, or decide to pay, you can have IVF at a private clinic. Each clinic sets its own prices and eligibility rules. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) regulates UK fertility clinics, and its website explains costs and has a tool for choosing a clinic.

Ask for a full written quote, including medicines, scans, embryo freezing and storage. Be cautious about paid extras ("add-ons") that are not proven to improve your chances. The HFEA has information on these.

If you are thinking of having IVF abroad, the NHS website advises thinking carefully about safety, as clinics in other countries may not be regulated in the same way as in the UK.

Support during treatment

Fertility treatment can be emotionally demanding. Licensed clinics must offer counselling. Charities such as Fertility Network UK also offer support.

If you work for the NHS, ask your employer about its fertility treatment leave policy, as arrangements vary between employers.

Choosing a fertility clinic

If you are referred for NHS IVF, your ICB may fund treatment at a particular clinic or let you choose from a list. If you are paying privately, you can choose any licensed clinic.

The HFEA, which regulates fertility clinics in the UK, has a choose a clinic tool. It lets you compare clinics, including their inspection ratings and patient feedback.

When comparing clinics, it can help to ask:

• what is included in the price, and what costs extra
• how long the wait is to start treatment
• how many appointments you will need, and where
• what support and counselling is offered

Preparing for treatment

The NHS website explains that before IVF starts, you may need tests such as blood tests for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. You may be offered the contraceptive pill or progestogen tablets beforehand, to help time your fertility medicine. You must give consent to treatment, which is required by law to make sure sperm, eggs and embryos are used and stored as you want.

IVF questions

Can same-sex couples or single people get NHS IVF?

Eligibility depends on the local ICB policy. Many policies cover same-sex couples and single people, sometimes after a set number of artificial insemination cycles. Check with your GP.

Is there an upper age limit?

The NHS guidance covers people up to 42. Private clinics set their own limits.

Sources

Checked on 14 October 2026:

• NHS website: IVF
• Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority: Costs and funding
• NHS website: Find your local integrated care board