Price of in vitro fertilisation in Switzerland: the laboratory

In vitro fertilisation takes place largely in the laboratory: sperm preparation, bringing the eggs and sperm together or micro-injection, culturing the embryos for several days, selection, transfer and freezing. This work, carried out by biologists and embryologists, is, together with medication, one of the main cost items of IVF. Centres also offer additional techniques, such as culture to the blastocyst stage, continuous time-lapse monitoring of the embryos, assisted hatching or genetic testing, each with its own cost. This page details these elements. To understand the laboratory, see our page on in vitro fertilisation.

The laboratory cost includes preparation of the gametes, fertilisation, conventional or by ICSI, culture and selection of the embryos, and often the transfer. Options, extended culture, time-lapse, assisted hatching, genetic testing, freezing and storage, are added. Their value depends on the couple's situation; not all are useful for everyone. As a general rule, these costs are not reimbursed.

Every IVF cycle includes a core laboratory component: sperm preparation, identification and preparation of the eggs after retrieval, fertilisation, monitoring of the culture and transfer. Fertilisation can be conventional, letting the sperm fertilise the egg, or by ICSI, injecting a sperm cell into each egg, which adds a surcharge.

Extended culture to day five or six allows better selection of the embryo to be transferred. Time-lapse films the embryos continuously without removing them from the incubator. Assisted hatching weakens the embryo's outer shell to help it implant, in certain indications. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis tests the embryos genetically, in the indications provided for by law. Not all of these options have shown a benefit for every couple; a reputable centre offers them when they are useful.

Embryos that are not transferred can be frozen by vitrification and then stored. Freezing is billed once, storage every year. A later frozen embryo transfer costs considerably less than a full cycle, as there is neither stimulation nor egg retrieval. Eggs and sperm can also be frozen, with comparable fees.

The following tables show the cost of the laboratory part of an IVF cycle with ICSI and extended culture, by city and canton, compared with Geneva.

The quality of the laboratory, its equipment, its environmental control and its team strongly influences the chances of success. Comparing centres on price alone would be a mistake: it is worth asking about success rates, methods and volume of activity.

Check what is included in the core component, the price of each option, freezing and storage. Ask the centre why it recommends an option in your case. A long list of options is no guarantee of quality.

A couple without male infertility: conventional IVF, extended culture, core budget. A couple with male infertility: ICSI, surcharge. A couple carrying a serious genetic disease: preimplantation genetic diagnosis, if permitted in their case, highest budget.

You also need to add stimulation medication, consultations, egg retrieval and anaesthesia, which are not part of the laboratory work, as well as annual storage fees.

Behind every cycle, embryologists handle the gametes and embryos under a microscope, in an environment controlled for temperature, gas and air quality. They assess the development of the embryos every day and decide with the doctor on the day of transfer and freezing. This highly skilled work, the incubator equipment and quality controls account for a large part of the laboratory cost. It is also what makes the difference between two centres.

The current trend is to transfer a single good-quality embryo and freeze the others. This strategy reduces the risk of multiple pregnancy, which carries risks for the mother and children and entails significant medical costs. However, it involves freezing and storage fees, and sometimes additional transfers.

The number of eggs collected has little effect on the laboratory price, but a great deal on the chances: more good-quality eggs provide more embryos, and therefore often additional frozen embryo transfers at a lower cost.

A transparent centre discloses its pregnancy rates per transfer, by age, and the number of cycles performed. This information helps you judge the quality of the laboratory as much as the price.

You will find out how the procedure works on our page In vitro fertilisation in Switzerland.

Compare with related procedures

• Testicular biopsy: prices in Switzerland
• Artificial insemination: prices in Switzerland

Our guides

• IVF and assisted reproduction guide for Switzerland
• Cosmetic surgery in Switzerland

The essentials about the bill, in plain terms.

Questions about price

Is the micro-injection performed by an embryologist? Yes, under a microscope, in the laboratory.

Can an average-quality embryo be transferred? Yes, depending on the situation; this does not change the price.

Can freezing fail? Rarely with vitrification.

How many embryos are transferred? Most often just one, to limit multiple pregnancies.

Does a single embryo transfer cost less? The price is the same, but it avoids the risks of a multiple pregnancy.

Is morphological selection included? Yes, it is part of routine work.

Can embryos be donated to research? Depending on the legal framework and your consent.

What do you pay the laboratory for during IVF? Preparation of the gametes, fertilisation, culture and selection of the embryos.

Is ICSI always necessary? No, it is mainly indicated in cases of male infertility.

How much extra does ICSI cost? A laboratory surcharge, which varies by centre.

Does culture to the blastocyst stage cost more? Often slightly.

Is time-lapse billed? Yes, generally as an option.

Is assisted hatching useful? In certain indications; it is billed as an option.

Is embryo freezing included? Often billed separately.

Is storage charged every year? Yes.

Is vitrification more expensive? It is now the standard method.

Is preimplantation genetic diagnosis expensive? Yes, it is the most expensive option.

Is preimplantation genetic diagnosis permitted? Within the Swiss legal framework and for certain indications.

Are laboratory options always useful? No, their value depends on the situation.

Is the laboratory work reimbursed? As a general rule, no, as part of IVF.

Is the semen analysis reimbursed? For diagnostic purposes, often.

Is sperm preparation billed? It is part of the cost of the cycle.

Is sperm freezing billed? Yes, with storage fees.

Can frozen embryos be stored for a long time? Within the limits set by law.

Does a frozen embryo transfer cost less? Yes, considerably less than a full cycle.

Are laboratory fees itemised on the quote? They should be.

Does the price vary between centres? Yes, particularly for the options.

Does the price vary by region? Moderately.

Does a package include the laboratory? Often, with options at an extra cost.

Are surplus embryos frozen? Depending on the legal framework and the couple's choice.

What does it cost to stop storage? Generally nothing extra.

Does supplementary insurance cover the laboratory? Rarely; check.

Is a failed fertilisation billed? The cycle fees generally remain payable.

Should the centre disclose its results? It is worth asking about its success rates.

Does the quality of the laboratory affect the chances? Yes, significantly.

Is sperm DNA fragmentation testing billed? Yes, as an option if indicated.

Is the laboratory cost the main expense? Along with medication, it is one of the largest.

Is transporting embryos between centres billed? Yes, if necessary.

Can options be declined? Yes, discuss their value with the centre.

Is IMSI available? Depending on the centre, as an option.

Does the price include the transfer? Generally, yes.

Are there administration fees? Depending on the centre.

Tell us your canton: we will refer you free of charge to IVF centres and send you their detailed quotes.