Sperm donation is one of the basic methods of medically assisted reproduction, offering a solution in cases of male infertility or for women who wish to have children without a partner. In Greece, the process is governed by a clear legal framework that ensures transparency, anonymity and protection for all involved.

Legal Framework

Sperm donation is mainly regulated by:

• Law 3305/2005 (Government Gazette A’ 17/27.01.2005) — “Implementation of Medically Assisted Reproduction”.
  This law determines the conditions, the operation of sperm units and banks, as well as the rights and obligations of donors and recipients.

• P.D. 26/2008 (Government Gazette A’ 51/10.03.2008) — Incorporation of Directive 2004/23/EC on quality and safety standards for the donation and storage of tissues and cells.

• Civil Code (articles 1455–1464) — which provides for assisted reproduction, paternity issues, and donor anonymity.

The supervision and licensing of assisted reproduction centers belongs to the National Authority for Medically Assisted Reproduction (NAMR), which monitors compliance with the legislative framework.

Anonymity & Right of Access

• Sperm donation is anonymous, according to article 8 of Law 3305/2005. The donor does not know the identity of the recipient or the child, nor do they know the donor.

• Only anonymous donation is allowed — the donor is registered with a code and his personal information is kept in a confidential register maintained by the NRA.

• However, the child has the right to be informed of non-identifying medical and biological data of the donor (e.g. blood type, genetic diseases), if this is required for health reasons.

Donor Rights & Obligations

According to article 1460 of the Civil Code:

• The donor does not acquire any family or legal relationship with the child that will be born.

• It does not carry parental care, inheritance rights or support obligations.

• The donation is voluntary and non-commercial.
  The donor does not receive any remuneration — only reasonable compensation for travel expenses or compensation for loss of income, as provided for in article 9 §3 of Law 3305/2005.

Medical Conditions & Checkups

• The donor undergoes clinical, genetic and microbiological testing before being accepted.

• The semen is kept in quarantine for at least 6 months and re-tested before use.

• The maximum storage period for sperm is 10 years, according to article 11 §2 of Law 3305/2005.

Terms of Use & Child Protection

• Each donor can be used for the birth of up to 10 children (article 9 §2 of Law 3305/2005).
  This restriction aims to avoid biological kinship between children from the same donor.

• Donation between relatives is permitted only in a lateral line, after permission from the National Institute for the Study of Human Health.

To summarize

Greece has one of the most clear and protective legal frameworks for sperm donation in Europe.
The combination of anonymity, medical examination, supervision and rights of the child ensures that the process is carried out with respect for the health, privacy and ethics of all those involved.

Legal References

• Law 3305/2005 (Government Gazette A’ 17/27.01.2005)

• Presidential Decree 26/2008 (Government Gazette A’ 51/10.03.2008)

• Civil Code, articles 1455–1464

• NHA Circular No. 124/2021 – “Instructions for the management of genetic material donors”