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Guide

NHS fertility funding

What you can get on the NHS depends on where you live. In 2024, only 28% of IVF cycles in the UK were NHS-funded – down from 35% in 2019.

What NICE recommends (NG257, March 2026)

  • Offer IVF before your 42nd birthday if there's a diagnosed cause other treatments can't fix, or after 2 years of trying with unexplained infertility, or after 12 cycles of artificial insemination (6+ by IUI).
  • Under 40: offer an initial 3 full cycles of IVF – and consider up to 3 further full cycles if those don't work.
  • Aged 40 or 41: offer 1 full cycle if you've never had IVF before.
  • A 'full cycle' means one round of stimulation plus transfer of all the fresh and frozen embryos it produces.
  • Previous self-funded IVF shouldn't rule you out, but those cycles count towards the total.
  • Women, trans men and non-binary people with female reproductive organs are all covered by the guideline.

NICE guidance is a recommendation. In England, each Integrated Care Board (ICB) decides what it actually funds – and most fund less.

NICE NG257 – Access criteria for IVF(opens in a new tab)

Decided locally by your Integrated Care Board (ICB)

England

0–3 cycles depending on area – most fund 1

A postcode lottery

  • Only a handful of ICBs fund the 3 full cycles NICE recommends; around 7 in 10 fund just one, and some only a 'partial' cycle (fresh transfer only).
  • Several areas cut provision in 2026 (e.g. parts of Cheshire & Merseyside and Greater Manchester moved to one cycle).
  • Common extra criteria: no living children from your relationship, BMI between 19 and 30, non-smoking, upper age limit, and a set time trying.
  • Single women and female couples are often asked to self-fund 6 cycles of IUI before IVF is considered.
  • Your GP can tell you your ICB's policy. You may only be able to use certain clinics.

25% of IVF cycles in England were NHS-funded in 2024 – from 51% in the North East to 20% in the South West and East Midlands.

Clinics treating NHS patients in England

Set nationally by the Scottish Government

Scotland

Up to 3 full cycles under 40; 1 at 40–42

The most generous in the UK

  • All eligible new patients can have up to 3 full cycles.
  • Couples where one partner has a child from a previous relationship can already access NHS IVF.
  • Single women aren't currently eligible. A national review announced in August 2026 is looking at single women, blended families and additional cycles, and will report by early summer 2027.

54% of IVF cycles in Scotland were NHS-funded in 2024.

Clinics treating NHS patients in Scotland

Set nationally (Welsh specialised services commissioning)

Wales

Up to 2 cycles under 40; 1 at 40–42 with extra criteria

Two cycles for most

  • Women under 40 who meet the criteria can have up to 2 cycles; previous NHS or private cycles count towards this.
  • Aged 40–42: 1 cycle if you've never had IVF, there's no evidence of low ovarian reserve and the risks have been discussed.
  • Single patients must not already have a biological or adopted child. Same-sex couples show subfertility after 6 unsuccessful insemination cycles.
  • Changes were consulted on in 2023 – check the current policy with the Wales Fertility Institute or your GP.

35% of IVF cycles in Wales were NHS-funded in 2024.

Clinics treating NHS patients in Wales

Set nationally by the Department of Health

Northern Ireland

1 full cycle

One full cycle, with a long-standing promise of three

  • Eligible patients get one full cycle (one fresh transfer plus frozen transfers).
  • The 2020 New Decade, New Approach deal committed to 3 cycles, but this hasn't been delivered because of capacity at the Regional Fertility Centre.
  • The Regional Fertility Centre in Belfast is the only NHS IVF provider; services restarted on a phased basis in March 2026.

50% of IVF cycles in Northern Ireland were NHS-funded in 2024.

Clinics treating NHS patients in Northern Ireland

Getting NHS treatment: practical tips

  • Ask your GP for referral and for your local area's fertility policy in writing.
  • Find your ICB's policy online – search '[your ICB] fertility policy' or use the Progress Educational Trust tracker.
  • If you're close to an age cut-off, ask for referral as early as possible.
  • Ask whether NHS-funded storage of frozen embryos is time-limited.
  • If you're refused, you can ask about an Individual Funding Request (IFR) for exceptional circumstances.
  • Even without NHS treatment, you should be able to get NHS fertility tests.
  • You'll still pay prescription charges in England for fertility drugs unless you're exempt.

Sources

Funding policies change often. Checked November 2026.