Austria’s Highest Court Strikes Down Ban on ‘Social Egg Freezing’
Vienna, Austria - Austria’s Constitutional Court (VfGH) has overturned a ban preventing individuals from freezing eggs and sperm without a medical reason, a landmark decision paving the way for “social egg freezing” and expanding reproductive rights. The ruling, announced today, deems the previous legal restrictions a violation of basic rights.
The practice, often referred to as “social egg freezing,” allows individuals to preserve their fertility for non-medical reasons, such as delaying parenthood for career or personal goals. Previously, Austrian law limited egg and sperm freezing to cases of medical necessity, like cancer treatment. The vfgh’s decision now opens the door for legislation permitting the procedure for all, prompting swift reactions from political parties and medical professionals.
Family Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) responded positively, stating, “We have to make the possibility for young people to have their own family as great as possible,” and acknowledging support ”if the natural path to a family is not easy.” She indicated egg and sperm freezing could be a viable option.
the NEOS and the Greens welcomed the decision. “Social Egg freezing means: We trust women to make their own decisions,” said Henrike Brandstötter, NEOS women’s spokesperson, adding her party will work to swiftly incorporate the ruling into a draft law. Green women’s spokeswoman Meri Disoski called it an “overdue success for equality and self-determination” on Bluesky. Notably,the National Council’s Equal Treatment Committee had postponed a motion from the Greens seeking the legalization of “social egg freezing” just prior to the VfGH announcement. The FPÖ, though, remains opposed, with women’s spokeswoman Rosa Ecker emphasizing her party’s rejection of the practice.
Andreas Obruca, medical director of the Fertility Center at Vienna and President of the Austrian Society for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF Society), hailed the ruling as a ”milestone for both women and men to self-determine their fertility.” He expressed hope for rapid implementation while also stressing the obligation of reproductive medicine doctors to “educate people about the limits, side effects and hurdles of social freezing.” Obruca advocated for sensible restrictions, such as an age limit for using one’s own eggs.
