Skip to main content

Embryo Freezing Cost UK 2026: Freeze-All Cycle, Storage & FET

Embryo freezing cost depends on which stage you are at. Freezing the surplus embryos from an IVF cycle you are already having is a one-off £300–£600 fee plus storage. A dedicated freeze-all banking cycle is £5,000–£8,500 all-in. Annual storage runs £150–£450, and a future frozen embryo transfer (FET) adds £1,200–£2,000.

All embryo storage in the UK takes place at HFEA-licensed clinics (109+ are licensed nationally). Since July 2022 embryos can be stored for up to 55 years, with consent renewed every 10 years — so the ongoing storage fee, not the one-off freezing charge, is usually the larger lifetime cost.

Storage £150–£450/yrFreezing fee £300–£600FET £1,200–£2,000Reviewed 23 June 2026

How much does embryo freezing cost in the UK in 2026?

Freezing surplus embryos from an IVF cycle costs £300–£600 plus £150–£450/year storage. A standalone freeze-all banking cycle is £5,000–£8,500 all-in (cycle + drugs + freezing). Using the embryos later in a frozen embryo transfer adds £1,200–£2,000. All clinics must be HFEA licensed; embryos can be stored up to 55 years with consent renewed every 10.
See the full IVF cost breakdown

What does embryo freezing cost?

There is no single embryo freezing price — it depends on whether you are freezing embryos left over from an IVF cycle, running a cycle specifically to bank embryos, or thawing embryos for a future transfer. The four scenarios below cover almost every case.

ScenarioTypical cost
Freezing surplus embryos (already doing IVF)A one-off freezing (vitrification) fee added to your IVF cycle when good-quality embryos remain after a fresh transfer. Storage is charged separately.£300 – £600
Freeze-all embryo banking (full cycle)A complete stimulation cycle done specifically to create and freeze embryos — includes monitoring, egg collection, fertilisation, the freezing fee and stimulation drugs.£5,000 – £8,500
Annual embryo storageAn ongoing yearly fee for keeping embryos in storage. Some clinics offer discounted multi-year blocks. Storable for up to 55 years since 2022.£150 – £450/yr
Frozen embryo transfer (FET) laterThawing, monitoring and transferring a frozen embryo in a future cycle. Lower than a fresh cycle — no egg collection or stimulation.£1,200 – £2,000

Ranges reflect published UK clinic fee schedules. The freezing (vitrification) fee is often bundled into an IVF cycle quote — ask the clinic whether it is included or charged on top.

Storage: the recurring cost

The freezing fee is paid once, but storage is billed every year. At £150–£450 per year it is usually the largest part of the lifetime cost for embryos kept long-term.

Storage periodLow estimateHigh estimate
5 years£750£2,250
10 years£1,500£4,500
15 years£2,250£6,750
20 years£3,000£9,000

Law change (July 2022): the UK storage limit rose from 10 years to 55 years, with consent renewed every 10 years. Some clinics discount multi-year storage blocks paid upfront — worth comparing against the annual fee.

Embryo freezing vs egg freezing

If you have a partner or are using donor sperm, embryo freezing is an alternative to egg freezing. The upfront cost is similar; the trade-offs are about flexibility and thaw survival.

FactorEmbryo freezingEgg freezing
Banking cycle cost£5,000–8,500£3,650–7,900
Sperm needed at freezing?Yes (partner or donor)No
Survival rate (thaw)95–99%85–95%
FlexibilityLower — both parties must consent to useHigher — use with any future partner
Later-use costFET £1,200–2,000Thaw + ICSI + transfer £1,500–3,000

Is embryo freezing funded on the NHS?

NHS may fund

  • • Freezing surplus embryos from an NHS-funded IVF cycle
  • • Fertility preservation before cancer / gonadotoxic treatment
  • • A time-limited initial storage period (varies by ICB)

NHS will not fund

  • • Elective embryo banking for social reasons
  • • Storage beyond the funded period (you pay annual fees)
  • • Embryo freezing where IVF itself is self-funded

NHS funding for fertility treatment varies sharply by area. Check what your Integrated Care Board funds with the IVF postcode-lottery checker or the NHS IVF eligibility checker.

Frequently asked questions

How much does embryo freezing cost in the UK?
If you are already having IVF, freezing the surplus embryos from that cycle usually costs £300–£600 as a freezing (vitrification) fee, plus £150–£450 per year for storage. If you are doing a "freeze-all" cycle specifically to bank embryos, the all-in cost is £5,000–£8,500 because it includes a full stimulation cycle, drugs and the freezing fee. Using the embryos later in a frozen embryo transfer (FET) adds £1,200–£2,000.
How much is embryo storage per year?
Annual embryo storage costs £150–£450 per year depending on the clinic. Over 10 years that adds £1,500–£4,500. Since July 2022, embryos can be stored for up to 55 years in the UK provided consent is renewed every 10 years.
How much does a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cost?
A frozen embryo transfer costs £1,200–£2,000 at most UK clinics. This covers thawing the embryo, monitoring scans and the transfer procedure. Medicated FET cycles add a small amount for progesterone and oestrogen support. FET is cheaper than a fresh IVF cycle because there is no egg collection or stimulation.
Is embryo freezing cheaper than egg freezing?
For the initial cycle the costs are similar, because both require a stimulated cycle and egg collection. Embryo freezing has a slightly higher per-embryo survival rate on thawing (95–99% vs 85–95% for eggs) but needs sperm (a partner or donor) at the time of freezing, which reduces flexibility. Egg freezing keeps your options open but adds a fertilisation step later.
Is embryo freezing funded on the NHS?
The NHS funds embryo freezing in limited circumstances — typically freezing surplus embryos created during an NHS-funded IVF cycle, or fertility preservation before cancer treatment that may damage fertility. Elective embryo banking for social or age-related reasons is not NHS-funded and must be paid for privately. NHS storage is often time-limited, after which you pay annual fees.
What happens to the cost if I do not use the embryos?
You continue to pay the annual storage fee for as long as the embryos remain in storage and you keep consent in place. If you decide not to use them you can allow them to perish, donate them to another patient, or donate them to research or training — none of which carry a treatment cost. Storage fees stop once the embryos are removed from storage.

Sources & further reading

Related fertility pages

IVF cost UK
Full cycle breakdown
Egg freezing cost
Year-one total & storage
IVF medication cost
Drug prices by type
Fertility hub
Compare clinics