when using donor material.
The use of donor material, such as donor sperm or donor eggs, involves important legal aspects. It is essential to be well informed about your rights and obligations as a donor, intended parent or person using donor material. This page provides insight into the laws and regulations surrounding donors, the rights of children conceived with donor material, and the changes that took effect on 1 April 2025.
The Artificial Fertilisation Donor Data Act (Wet donorgegevens kunstmatige bevruchting, Wdkb) has been in force since 1 June 2004. This law ensures that children conceived with donor material have the right to know their biological origins. From the age of 16, they can request identifying information about the donor. The law requires clinics to properly register donor details, such as medical and personal information, and to make them available to children conceived with donor material. This has important consequences for both donors and intended parents.
Rights and obligations of the donor →
Access to information: Children conceived with donor material have the right to information about their donor. From the age of 12, they can request non-identifying information, such as the donor's occupation or background. From the age of 16, they are entitled to identifying information, such as the donor's name, date of birth and place of residence (for Dutch donors).
Limit on the number of families: In the Netherlands, a donor may help a maximum of 12 families per donor bank. This limit is intended to prevent too many children being born from one donor.
Legal mother: The woman who gives birth to the child always becomes the legal mother, even if she has no genetic link with the child, for example when donor eggs are used.
Co-mother (duomoeder): The female partner of the birth mother can obtain legal parenthood without court proceedings if she is married to the mother, in a registered partnership with her or has a cohabitation agreement with her. More information is available on the website of Rijksoverheid.nl
Authority and other rights: If the woman who gives birth to the child is the only legal parent, she holds the rights and obligations relating to the child's name, nationality, financial support and inheritance. Her female partner can obtain these rights by, for example, being married to her or in a registered partnership with her.
On 1 April 2025, an important change to the Wdkb came into force. The main change is that each donor is linked to 12 mother codes, in other words the number of families for whom the donor is available. This means that the donor may help a maximum of 12 families. Once the limit of 12 mother codes has been reached, this donor may no longer be used for treatments in the Netherlands.
What does this mean for your treatment?
The use of donor material is governed by strict legislation which ensures that children born from treatment with donor gametes have the right to trace their biological origins. It is important to be aware of the legal aspects and the changes that came into force on 1 April 2025. Always discuss your situation with your clinic to ensure that your treatment runs smoothly and that you fully comply with the new legislation.
More information?
Do you have questions, or would you like more information about donating or ordering donor material? Feel free to contact our donor bank.
Our specialised team is ready to help and support you at every step of the process.
