What Does Embryo Freezing Cost in Turkey, and Is It Included in IVF?
Manar Hegazy
Majd Eddin Khaled
Embryo freezing is an important part of many IVF treatment plans, but it is not necessarily included automatically in the basic IVF package. A cycle may initially be planned for fresh embryo transfer and later change to freezing, or a freeze-all strategy may be planned from the beginning.
At Fertiliv Clinic in Istanbul, embryo freezing and storage are priced separately from the basic IVF program so patients can clearly understand the cost of each treatment stage. IVF means In Vitro Fertilization, in which the ovaries are stimulated, eggs are retrieved and fertilized in the laboratory, and embryos are monitored before transfer or freezing.
How Much Does Embryo Freezing Cost in Turkey?
There is no single nationwide embryo-freezing price in Turkey. Cost varies according to the clinic, number of storage units required and storage duration.
Embryo Freezing Cost at Fertiliv
At Fertiliv, freezing the first 1–2 storage units costs approximately $450.
If additional storage units are required, each additional two units cost approximately $125.
The final freezing amount therefore depends partly on the number of suitable embryos and how they are allocated for storage.
The article Embryo Freezing in IVF: New Opportunities to Achieve Parenthood explains the embryo-freezing process and its role in future treatment.
What Is the Annual Embryo Storage Fee?
Initial freezing and annual storage are separate charges.
At Fertiliv, annual embryo storage is currently approximately $320.
Patients planning long-term storage should therefore distinguish between the initial freezing charge and the recurring annual storage fee.
Does the Number of Embryos Affect Cost?
It can affect the total indirectly because a larger number of embryos may require additional storage units.
The final cost often cannot be calculated precisely until the embryology team knows how many suitable embryos are available for freezing.
Is Embryo Freezing Included in an IVF Program?
Fresh IVF Does Not Automatically Include Freezing
Fertiliv's fresh IVF package is approximately $3,700 and includes the main cycle monitoring, egg retrieval under anesthesia, laboratory fertilization and fresh transfer when medically appropriate.
Embryo freezing is not automatically included in this price.
If additional suitable embryos remain after transfer, freezing is charged separately.
The IVF Cost in Turkey 2026 guide explains how core treatment and additional services contribute to the complete IVF budget.
What Happens With a Freeze-All Plan?
In a freeze-all cycle, embryos are deliberately frozen rather than transferred during the retrieval cycle.
At Fertiliv, the egg-retrieval stage of a freeze-all plan is approximately $2,700.
Embryo freezing and storage are then calculated separately according to the required storage units.
Is Frozen Embryo Transfer Included?
No. Frozen embryo transfer is a separate treatment stage.
A frozen embryo transfer cycle at Fertiliv is currently approximately $1,700, with preparation medications calculated according to the individual treatment plan.
This means a freeze-all pathway should be budgeted as retrieval and embryo freezing first, followed by a separate transfer cycle.
Why Might Embryos Be Frozen Instead of Transferred Fresh?
Freezing does not necessarily indicate that something has gone wrong. It can be planned from the beginning or become appropriate after evaluating the patient's response during treatment.
When Delaying Transfer Is Medically Appropriate
A physician may recommend delaying transfer when the hormonal environment or endometrium is not ideal for a fresh transfer.
A freeze-all strategy can also be considered when ovarian response is high and allowing the body to recover before pregnancy is preferable.
The article Frozen vs Fresh Embryo Transfer: Which Is Better for Improving Pregnancy Chances? explains how these approaches differ.
When Additional Embryos Remain
If several suitable embryos develop but only a limited number are transferred, the remaining suitable embryos can be frozen.
This can provide an opportunity for another transfer without repeating ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval.
When Embryo Genetic Testing Is Planned
Some genetic-testing pathways require embryo biopsy followed by freezing while results are processed.
PGT-A evaluates chromosome-number abnormalities in selected situations, while PGT-M is used for specific known single-gene disorders.
The IVF with PGT-A and PGT-M in Istanbul guide explains how genetic testing can fit into an IVF treatment pathway.
How Does Freezing Change the Total IVF Cost?
Freezing affects the budget not only through the freezing fee itself but also because transfer may become a separate future treatment cycle.
Cost Comparison
| Item | Fresh Transfer Plan | Retrieval and Freeze-All |
|---|---|---|
| Fertiliv basic treatment | About $3,700 | About $2,700 for retrieval stage |
| Stimulation medication | Separate | Separate |
| Embryo freezing | Additional when needed | Required and separate |
| First 1–2 storage units | About $450 | About $450 |
| Each additional two units | About $125 | About $125 |
| Annual storage | About $320 | About $320 |
| Frozen embryo transfer | Not needed if fresh transfer succeeds | About $1,700 later |
Frozen Transfer Medication Is Different
Frozen Embryo Transfer, or FET, does not usually require the same ovarian stimulation used during egg retrieval.
The aim is to prepare the uterine lining for embryo transfer.
Hormonal medication may be prescribed according to the transfer protocol, and the cost is separate from the original stimulation cycle.
Can Freezing Reduce the Cost of a Later Attempt?
If suitable frozen embryos remain, a future transfer can avoid repeating ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval.
This can make a later attempt simpler and less expensive than beginning an entirely new retrieval cycle.
What Happens to Embryos After Freezing?
Embryos are preserved through specialized laboratory procedures rather than ordinary freezing.
How Are Embryos Frozen?
Modern embryo laboratories generally use vitrification, an ultra-rapid freezing method designed to minimize ice-crystal formation within cells.
Suitable embryos are prepared with protective solutions and stored under highly controlled conditions.
Do All Embryos Survive Thawing?
No laboratory procedure can guarantee identical survival for every embryo.
However, modern freezing techniques have significantly improved embryo survival after warming.
The result also depends on embryo quality before freezing and laboratory technique.
How Long Can Embryos Be Stored?
Embryos can remain stored for extended periods under appropriate conditions, subject to applicable medical, administrative and legal requirements.
Annual storage arrangements must also be maintained.
The IVF in Turkey – Complete Patient Guide provides a broader overview of treatment, freezing and transfer.
How Should You Budget for Freezing and Frozen Transfer?
Patients should understand both the planned treatment and the alternative scenario before starting IVF.
Ask for Four Separate Costs
Clarify the retrieval cost, freezing fee, annual storage fee and future frozen-transfer fee.
Comparing only the headline IVF package can hide important differences between clinics.
The article How to Choose the Best IVF Center in Turkey explains why financial transparency should be considered together with medical and laboratory quality.
Consider the Possibility of a Second Trip
International patients following a freeze-all plan may complete retrieval and freezing during one visit and return later for embryo transfer.
A retrieval-and-freezing visit often takes around 12–14 days when monitoring is performed in Turkey, while the transfer visit can be shorter when preparation is partly managed abroad.
The guide How Many Days Do You Need to Stay in Turkey During an IVF Journey? explains the travel timelines.
Conclusion
Embryo-freezing costs vary across Turkey and are not nationally standardized. At Fertiliv, freezing the first 1–2 storage units costs approximately $450, each additional two units about $125, and annual embryo storage approximately $320.
Freezing is not automatically included in the fresh IVF package. A freeze-all plan also requires budgeting for retrieval, freezing, storage and a later frozen embryo transfer as separate stages.
Frequently Asked Questions: What Does Embryo Freezing Cost in Turkey, and Is It Included in IVF?
Is Embryo Freezing Included in IVF?
Not automatically. At Fertiliv, embryo freezing is calculated separately when required.
How Much Does Embryo Freezing Cost at Fertiliv?
The first 1–2 storage units cost approximately $450, with each additional two units costing about $125.
Is There an Annual Storage Fee?
Yes. Annual embryo storage at Fertiliv is currently approximately $320.
Is Frozen Embryo Transfer Included in the Freezing Fee?
No. Freezing, storage and frozen embryo transfer are separate services. A frozen transfer cycle is currently approximately $1,700.
Does Every IVF Cycle Require Embryo Freezing?
No. Some patients have a fresh transfer and freeze only additional suitable embryos, while others follow a planned freeze-all strategy.