The New York Times | July 18, 2026
After it was revealed that Jens Spahn, a high-level German government official, and his husband had a child via surrogacy in the United States, Spahn resigned. He had previously defended Germany’s ban on surrogacy – a policy that is now being debated in light of Spahn’s conduct.
The Guardian | July 17, 2026
Australia’s Law Reform Commission is considering how to reform surrogacy regulations, with individuals and groups weighing in from a variety of perspectives. Some emphasize the difficulties of going abroad for compensated surrogacy arrangements, which are banned in Australia. Others advocate for a total ban on surrogacy, including non-compensated surrogacy arrangements, which are currently allowed in the country.
Taipei Times | July 17, 2026
Legislators in Taiwan have separated proposed legislation on surrogacy from a broader bill on reproduction because surrogacy has attracted more controversy and debate. The remaining parts of the bill would expand access to IVF for single women, same-sex female couples, and infertile couples. The Taiwan People’s Party caucus protested the decoupling.
South China Morning Post | July 11, 2026
Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia have all banned compensated surrogacy for foreign intended parents in response to exploitation in the industry. As a result of the bans, intended parents from China–where domestic surrogacy is not allowed–are seeking surrogacy arrangements in countries such as Georgia and Armenia–where surrogacy remains legal–or in underground networks that span several countries to evade authorities. China does grant citizenship to children born via surrogacy in other countries – an important factor that maintains demand within the “shadow economy” of surrogacy in Asia. Based on concerns about the inability of the existing ban to address exploitation in Thailand, Thai officials are considering policy reforms.
USA Today | July 8, 2026
At the direction of the lieutenant governor, the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee is investigating foreign involvement in the state’s surrogacy industry. The Texas Republican party’s platform endorses a ban on compensated surrogacy for foreigners, citing concerns about foreigners obtaining US citizenship for their children via surrogacy. Critics – who note the small percentage of surrogacy cases involving foreigners in Texas – see the concern as a veiled attempt to further curtail access to reproductive technologies, including IVF, in the state.
University of Amsterdam | June 25, 2026
The Dutch government has asked a panel of researchers to review a draft surrogacy law. The committee recommended that the legislators revisit the draft law’s approach to cross-border surrogacy arrangements, consider additional provisions about the rights of donor-conceived persons regarding their origins, and assign support for intended parents and assessment of serious concerns to separate entities.
Birmingham Live | June 1, 2026
The Foreign Office in the UK warned UK tourists to thoroughly review its guidance about international surrogacy before traveling to Cyprus, especially because of differences in regulatory control between the Republic of Cyprus and the north of Cyprus. Surrogacy in the north of Cyprus is unregulated and brings legal complications, which the British High Commission cannot address.
OC Media | May 28, 2026
A documentary called “9-Month Contract” follows the experience of Zhana, a single mother in the country of Georgia who becomes a surrogate. The film shows how surrogacy is overlooked but also stigmatized in Georgia, even as the industry grows – and increasingly relies on surrogates from Central Asian and African countries.
The New Yorker | May 11, 2026
The 21 children born via different surrogates for a Los Angeles couple have been placed in foster care. The court case regarding the parents’ alleged cruelty toward the children continues. The couple has since had 6 more children via surrogates in several states, all of whom have also been placed in foster care. The number of children involved in the case and their placement in the child welfare system raises questions about limited surrogacy regulations in the U.S.
Times of India | May 11, 2026
The Indian state of Kerala has several laws supporting the welfare of trans people, and it recently asked the national government to clarify whether trans people were eligible for surrogacy. In response, the national government stated that unmarried or married trans people are not eligible for surrogacy services under existing statutes.
