Novelties in Surrogacy Arrangements Regulation in European Countries

Abstract

The paper analyzes some of the legal aspects of the surrogacy regulation in the most representative states of Europe. The author raises a complex moral and ethical issue of the admissibility of surrogate maternity legalization, considers various approaches to its ban (partial ban). In addition to the principles of the civil legislation of France identification, the author also assesses the existing legal regulation. This assessment is made taking into account the latest reforms in the civil legislation of France, including the negative consequences of such, for example, the impossibility of inheritance, receiving social benefits, the need to undergo an additional procedure for the adoption of a child by a woman to whom a surrogate mother gave the child. Along with the prohibitions of surrogate motherhood in France, the author refers to the jurisprudence and legislation of Germany, which follows a similar approach. On the other hand, the author examines the procedures of gratuitous surrogacy provided for in the Portuguese legislation, which became the result of another reform in the field of legal regulation of bioethics, as well as one of the most liberal regimes created in Greece.