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Kazakhstan bans surrogacy for foreigners

Kazakhstan in central Asia is to ban commercial surrogacy for foreigners.

The move will restrict surrogacy to legally married Kazakh citizens only, amending its 2011 Code on Marriage and Family.

On 26 July, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed into law the amendment to restrict surrogacy, following similar bans in Greece, Russia, Thailand, India, Nepal, Cambodia, and Argentina.

In Europe, the largest group of countries bans surrogacy entirely, including both commercial and ‘altruistic’ models.

This includes France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and Norway.

Italy has criminalised the practice, with penalties including jail terms and fines.

In December 2025, a Kazakhstan government enquiry found exploitation of women and children and illegal donor networks.  

Former Soviet states of Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia still permit paid-for baby commissioning but largely rely on foreign surrogates.