Egg freezing: keeping an option open for later

Life doesn't always happen in the order we planned. Career, relationships, health, or simply the feeling of "not yet". Egg freezing is one option for keeping the possibility of having children later. But it is not a guarantee. This guide is here so you can make an informed decision.

Two different situations

• Freezing for medical reasons: Done before a treatment that could damage the eggs, such as cancer treatment. Besides chemotherapy, treatment for some autoimmune diseases can also fall into this category.
• Social freezing: Done without a medical reason, as a precaution for the future. It is legal in Germany.

Who pays?

• Freezing for medical reasons: If a treatment that could damage your eggs is planned, statutory health insurance covers egg freezing. This right applies until your 40th birthday; there is no lower age limit.
• Social freezing: Insurance doesn't cover it; you pay the costs yourself.

Important: To use your frozen eggs later, you need IVF treatment. The conditions for statutory insurance to contribute to that are separate, such as being married and under 40. For details, see our guide "IVF in Germany".

How much does it cost?

• One cycle (hormone treatment, egg retrieval, freezing) costs about €3,000–4,000 in Germany.
• Storage costs about €300–400 a year.
• Many women need two or three cycles to collect enough eggs.

Always ask the clinic for a written cost estimate (Kostenvoranschlag). Ask whether medication is included in the price and how much storage costs.

When should you do it?

• Experts generally see the late 20s to early 30s as the ideal age, preferably before 35.
• From about age 35, the chance of chromosomal errors in eggs increases.
• The two most important factors for success are your age when the eggs are retrieved and the number of eggs frozen.

Realistic expectations: Frozen eggs are an option, not a guarantee of a baby. Ask the clinic about estimated success rates for your age and egg reserve (AMH test).

The process step by step

1. First appointment and tests: Your egg reserve is checked with an ultrasound and an AMH test.
2. Hormone treatment: For about two weeks, the ovaries are stimulated with injections you give yourself.
3. Egg retrieval: A procedure of about 15–20 minutes under short anaesthesia.
4. Freezing: The eggs are frozen with a very fast method (vitrification) and stored in liquid nitrogen.

Where to go in Berlin

• Your gynaecologist (Frauenärztin): For initial advice and a referral.
• Fertility centres (Kinderwunschzentrum): Many centres in Berlin offer egg freezing. Talk to a few and compare prices.
• Before cancer treatment: The FertiPROTEKT network brings together centres for people who want to preserve fertility for medical reasons. Ask your treatment team about this at your first appointment.

Practical tips from women

• Keep your schedule light. During hormone treatment you may have frequent check-ups.
• Have someone with you. Ask someone close to you to pick you up on the day of egg retrieval. You can't go home alone after anaesthesia.

This section will grow with the experiences of women in the BACIM community. If something has worked for you, you're welcome to share it.

Sources

• Insurance coverage for freezing for medical reasons (betanet)
• § 27a(4) SGB V (lexmea)
• Social freezing: pros and cons (Gynäkologische Endokrinologie, PDF)
• Social freezing (t-online)

This guide is not a substitute for medical advice. Information checked as of October 2026.