Frozen Embryo Transfer in Turkey: Timeline, Cost and What to Expect

A frozen embryo transfer is shorter, gentler and cheaper than a full IVF cycle

If you already have embryos in storage, a frozen embryo transfer (FET) lets you try again without repeating stimulation and egg retrieval. In Turkey a FET costs €3,000 and the trip is much shorter than a first cycle. Here is how it works, step by step.

1. Why a frozen transfer instead of a fresh one

Embryos are frozen when there are more than can be transferred in one go, when genetic testing is planned, or when hormone levels after stimulation are not ideal for implantation. Waiting a cycle lets the uterus recover and be prepared on its own schedule.

2. Preparing the uterine lining

Before the transfer the doctor builds up the lining of the womb, usually with oestrogen followed by progesterone, or in a natural cycle that follows your own ovulation. Ultrasound scans and blood tests show when the lining is ready. This phase can often be monitored by your gynaecologist at home, with results sent to the Turkish clinic.

3. Thawing and transfer day

On the day, the embryologist thaws the chosen embryo and checks that it has survived. The transfer itself takes only minutes, is done under ultrasound guidance and needs no anaesthesia. If embryos were frozen elsewhere, the clinic must agree to receive them in advance, so ask before booking.

4. How long you stay in Turkey

Plan for roughly one week around the transfer, depending on how much monitoring you complete at home. Many patients fly in a few days before the transfer and rest afterwards. The clinic confirms exact dates once your protocol is set.

5. The two-week wait and the result

A Beta-hCG blood test about twelve days after transfer shows whether the cycle worked. Home tests before then are unreliable. Light activity is fine, and you can usually fly home soon after the transfer once your doctor agrees.

6. What a FET costs and what is billed separately

A subsequent frozen embryo transfer costs €3,000. Embryo freezing is €1,400 and includes five years of storage; thawing with biopsy, re-freezing and PGT is €550; anaesthesia, if required, is €600. Medication is paid separately at the pharmacy. We put a realistic total in writing before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

Is a frozen transfer less successful than a fresh one?
Not necessarily. Results depend mainly on the age at which the embryo was created and on its quality, not on whether it was frozen.

Can we use embryos created in another country?
Often yes, if the clinic accepts them and the paperwork is in order. Under Turkish law embryos must come from the couple's own eggs and sperm, and a marriage certificate is normally required.

Do I need anaesthesia?
No. The transfer takes minutes and is similar to a routine gynaecological examination.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Suitability, protocol and outcomes are determined individually by a licensed fertility specialist.