Does the cost of IVF in Georgia increase every year? Real cost trends and influencing factors

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A patient's real inquiry: "I asked last year, and this year the quote is several thousand dollars more"

Last week, a 35-year-old woman with an AMH of 1.2 consulted about IVF in Georgia through an overseas coordination channel. She had looked into a third-generation IVF package at a well-known clinic in Tbilisi at the end of 2023. At that time, the quote, including medication, ovulation induction, egg retrieval, PGT, a single transfer, and two cycles of freezing, was approximately $18,000. In March 2025, the latest quote from the same clinic was $21,000, an increase of 16.7%.

She said, "I can't understand why it has gone up so much in just over a year? Does it increase every year? Is the clinic deliberately overcharging me because I'm a foreigner?"

This is not an isolated case. As an overseas coordinator with nearly 10 years of experience, I have handled over 300 IVF cases in Georgia. Every year, patients ask, "Has the cost gone up again?" Today, I will answer directly: The cost of IVF in Georgia is indeed continuously rising, but the annual increase is not fixed, and there are significant differences between clinics and treatment plans.

1. How much does the cost of IVF in Georgia actually increase each year?

1. Direct answer: Average annual increase of 5% to 12% over the past 5 years

Note: The above are costs for a single cycle of basic third-generation IVF (including PGT-A), excluding ovulation induction medications, additional tests, embryo freezing renewal fees, multiple transfers, special medications, or third-party assistance.

Some high-value clinics maintained a range of $17,000 to $19,000 in 2024, but by early 2025, they had generally increased to $20,000 to $23,000. If you see an all-inclusive price below $16,000, it likely does not include PGT, medication, or only includes one egg retrieval opportunity. You need to carefully check the contract details.

2. Why does it increase every year? Four core reasons

Medical inflation is global, and Georgia is no exception. The cost of medical supplies (imported ovulation induction injections, culture media, freezing solutions), laboratory equipment maintenance, and consumables increases by 8% to 15% annually. For example, the procurement price of imported gonadotropins (Gonal-f, Puregon) in Georgia in 2024 was about 22% higher than in 2021.

Exchange rate fluctuations directly pressure clinics to raise prices. The Georgian Lari (GEL) has depreciated against the US dollar by about 18% over the past three years (2020: 1 USD ≈ 2.9 GEL, 2025: ≈ 3.4 GEL). Clinics need US dollars or Euros to import consumables, pay foreign doctor salaries, and purchase large equipment (such as embryoscopes, laser hatching systems). The depreciation of the Lari increases actual costs, forcing clinics to offset this by raising USD prices.

Technological advancements drive up the cost per cycle. More and more Georgian clinics are introducing PGT-A, time-lapse incubation, AI embryo scoring systems, and upgraded freeze-thaw technologies. These technologies require significant upfront investment, which clinics distribute across each cycle.

Increased patient demand, limited expansion capacity for quality clinics. The number of IVF patients in Georgia grew by about 40% from 2022 to 2024, but the training cycle for qualified embryologists, lab directors, and reproductive specialists is long. The supply-demand imbalance has led to a 15% to 20% annual increase in labor costs.

2. The most easily overlooked detail: What are the differences in quotes from the same clinic in different years?

1. Package content has become "leaner"

A patient's $16,000 package at a clinic in 2021 included: ovulation induction drugs, egg retrieval, ICSI, PGT, 2 cycles of frozen embryo storage, and one transfer. In 2024, for the same price, the package changed: ovulation induction drugs were changed to "self-purchase" or only a basic dose was included, PGT was limited to embryos under 8, with an additional $200 charged for each embryo beyond that, and frozen embryo storage was reduced to 1 cycle.

How to judge: After receiving a quote, compare the detailed breakdown item by item with the previous year's fees, paying special attention to the boundaries of what is "included" and "not included".

2. Examination fees are separated and increase annually

Before 2023, some clinics bundled basic female examinations (AMH, hormone panel, infection screening, hysteroscopy) into the package. Now, most clinics require these tests to be redone upon arrival in Georgia, with individual fees ranging from $500 to $1,500, and these fees increase by about 10% each year.

3. Hidden costs like translation, accommodation, and transportation are also rising

Hotel accommodation costs in Tbilisi increased by about 30% in 2024 compared to 2021. Translation service fees have risen from $100 per day to $150–$200. Although these fees are not paid to the clinic, they directly impact the total budget.

3. The most common pitfall: Making decisions based on "historical prices" while ignoring dynamic factors

Scenario: In 2023, a blogger shared "All-inclusive $15,000 at XX Clinic in Georgia". In 2025, a patient goes to negotiate directly with this price, only to be told it was a promotional price from 2 years ago, and the current minimum is $20,000.

Correct approach: When searching for information, you must confirm the publication date and applicable year of the article. It is best to ask the clinic to provide a "valid price quote for April 2025" and note its validity period (usually 7–14 days).

4. What do doctors think? Judging the合理性 behind the price increase

A well-known reproductive center director in Tbilisi admitted at an industry conference in 2024: "We don't want to raise prices every year, but if we don't, we cannot maintain the current laboratory quality. We used imported culture media before, and we still use the same brand now, but the tariffs and logistics costs we bear have increased by 30%. If patients insist on finding low-cost clinics, either they will have to cut back on culture media usage or use consumables within 30 days of expiry. Who bears the risk?"

Objectively speaking, the cost of IVF in Georgia is still lower than in the US ($30,000–$50,000) and parts of Russia ($25,000–$30,000), and is close to Greece and pre-war Ukraine. The price increase is a normal phenomenon under global medical inflation. The key is whether the increase is transparent and reasonable.

5. Practitioner's observation: Cost prediction for IVF in Georgia for 2025–2026

• Basic cycle cost: In 2025, it is likely to remain in the $19,000–$24,000 range. If the Lari continues to depreciate or energy costs rise in 2026, it could exceed $25,000.
• Packages with medication vs. without medication: It is expected that more clinics will separate ovulation induction drugs from the package. Patients may be allowed to bring their own or purchase from designated pharmacies, giving patients partial control over costs.
• PGT fees charged separately: Currently, some clinics include PGT in the third-generation package. In the future, it may be charged per embryo ($150–$300 per embryo), potentially leading to further divergence in overall costs.
• Promotional strategies: During the off-season (December to February), some clinics may offer "lock-in price with early deposit" promotions, with increases controlled within 3%, suitable for patients with fixed budgets.

6. Time planning reminder: If you are starting preparations now

IVF costs in Georgia typically have 2–3 price adjustment windows per year (usually early January, early April, and early October). If you plan to start your cycle in the second half of 2025, it is recommended to get a quote and pay a deposit in March–April 2025 to lock in the price for the year. Delaying until 2026 could mean facing a 5%–8% increase.

Also, note: Some clinics use a "floating exchange rate quote" for overseas patients, meaning the cost is calculated based on the USD to Lari exchange rate on the day the contract is signed. If the Lari continues to depreciate, the actual USD amount paid could be higher. Before signing the contract, confirm the exchange rate locking clause and request that the price be denominated and fixed in USD.

A final reminder: Do not rush into signing a contract just because you are afraid of price increases. First, complete the necessary tests in your home country (AMH, karyotype, hysteroscopy) to confirm your own condition and determine the best course of action, then decide on the clinic and treatment plan. Non-transparent low-cost packages often hide room for subsequent price increases, which is ultimately not cost-effective.