Male fertility disorder
If no sperm cells are detectable in the ejaculate and no usable cells can be obtained via a testicular biopsy either, sperm donation is a path.
Sperm and egg donation.
The Wunschbaby Institut Feichtinger has both an in-house sperm bank and an in-house egg bank.
Overview
When is an egg or sperm donation carried out?
Beyond our in-house sperm and egg bank, we cooperate with the most renowned European sperm and egg banks. This allows us to guarantee the optimal donor for our patients – and thus help both heterosexual and homosexual couples to their long-awaited baby.
For whom
When a donation is the right path.
Whether sperm or egg donation is an option depends on the medical findings and the legal framework. We clarify both together before any decision.
Female couples
Two women in a marriage, registered partnership or cohabiting relationship can fulfil their wish for a child in Austria with donor sperm.
Genetic predisposition
If there is a high risk of passing on a serious hereditary disease, a donation can – after human genetic counselling – be an option.
No eggs of your own
After premature menopause, with a severely reduced egg reserve or after unsuccessful stimulations, egg donation comes into consideration.
Treatment paths
From donor sperm to pregnancy
Donor sperm can be used in two ways. Which one is an option is decided by findings – not by habit.
Insemination with donor sperm
With patent fallopian tubes, regular ovulation and unremarkable findings, the prepared donor sperm can be placed directly into the uterus at the optimal time. The procedure is short, involves little pain and requires no anaesthesia. Depending on the situation, it takes place in a natural cycle or with light hormonal support, with ovulation monitored by ultrasound.
IVF or ICSI with donor sperm
If inseminations do not lead to success or further findings are present – such as impaired fallopian tube function, endometriosis or a higher age of the woman – fertilisation in the laboratory is the next step. Then an IVF or an ICSI is used, followed by the embryo transfer.
Egg donation
In egg donation, the donated eggs are fertilised in the laboratory with the partner's sperm and the resulting embryos are transferred after a few days of culture. You can find all details on requirements, age limits and procedure on our dedicated page about egg donation.
The procedure
Your path with a sperm or egg donation.
The medical part can be planned well. What matters to us is that the decision before it can mature in peace.
1
First consultation
We look at your findings, discuss your history and check whether a donation is medically indicated and legally possible. Alternatives that have not yet been exhausted often emerge here.
2
Examinations
The necessary examinations follow: hormone status, assessment of the uterus and fallopian tubes, infection serologies and – in cases of male-factor infertility – a current semen analysis and, where appropriate, human genetic counselling.
3
Notarial counselling and consent
Before sperm or eggs from a third person are used, in-depth notarial counselling on the legal consequences of the consent is provided for. We plan this step together with you.
4
Selection of the donor
We look for a profile that suits you – from our own bank or via one of our partner banks. Blood group as well as external characteristics such as hair, eye and skin colour, height and build are taken into account.
5
Treatment
Depending on the findings, an insemination or a fertilisation in the laboratory with subsequent embryo transfer takes place. Both are outpatient procedures and well coordinated at our institute.
6
Follow-up care
We accompany you through the hormonal support, the pregnancy test and the first ultrasound checks – and remain available for your questions afterwards.
Quality and selection
Our sperm bank and egg bank.
How donors are screened
Every admission to our bank is preceded by extensive examinations: physical examination, blood count and hormone values, infection serologies as well as human genetic testing including counselling. For sperm donors, it is additionally assessed how well the sample survives freezing and thawing – not every sample is suitable for this.
Samples are stored frozen and only released after the prescribed monitoring periods have elapsed and repeated examinations have been carried out. Documentation and assignment follow fixed laboratory routines: every sample can be clearly assigned at any time.
Everything on site – with our own genetics laboratory
The Wunschbaby Institut Feichtinger has its own sperm and egg bank as well as its own genetics laboratory. For you, this means short distances, no unnecessary transport of your cells, and findings that stay in-house and are discussed with you personally.
Beyond this, we cooperate with renowned European sperm and egg banks. This means we can offer a suitable profile even if your combination of characteristics is rare. The foundation of each of these treatments is cryopreservation, whose technique we co-developed in 1991.
Legal framework
What applies in Austria
Sperm and egg donation in Austria are governed by the Reproductive Medicine Act. The essential points:
- Medically assisted reproduction is permitted within a marriage, a registered partnership or a cohabiting relationship.
- Donor sperm may be used if the partner's sperm is not capable of reproduction – or if the treatment is carried out for two women living together.
- Egg donation is permitted if the woman's own eggs are not capable of reproduction and the woman has not yet completed her 45th year of age at the start of treatment.
- Eggs may only be retrieved for a third person from the donor's completed 18th to her completed 30th year of age.
- Anonymous donation is not permitted: from the completed 14th year of age, the child can receive information about the identity of the donor.
- Before sperm or eggs from a third person are used, in-depth notarial counselling on the legal consequences of the consent is provided for.
- Surrogacy is prohibited in Austria.
As of 2026. The legal situation continues to evolve, and some constellations are questions of the individual case – in the consultation we clarify specifically what applies to you. You can also find an overview on our page about the legal framework.
Would you like to donate sperm?
With a sperm donation, many a woman can be helped to a child of her own that she would otherwise have to do without.
If you would like to become a sperm donor with us, please contact Doz. Dr. Peter Kemeter:
Tel: +43 664 922 4886
Email: peter.kemeter@wunschbaby.at
Fax: +43 1 25 33 0 33 4922
He will be happy to inform you about the requirements to be met, how the process works and what expense allowance you can expect for it.
What you should know as a donor
Admission is preceded by a detailed conversation and several examinations – including blood count, hormone values, infection serologies and human genetic testing. In the process, you also learn which results could be relevant for you personally.
Legally, the donation creates no paternity and no maintenance obligations towards the child for you. At the same time, the following applies in Austria: anonymous donation is not possible. From the completed 14th year of age, the child can receive information about your identity. We discuss this point very openly in advance, because it is part of the decision (as of 2026).
Experience since the beginnings of reproductive medicine
The Wunschbaby Institut Feichtinger has been a pioneer in this field since 1982/83 and co-developed the technique of cryopreservation in 1991. With our own sperm and egg bank, our own genetics laboratory and our locations in Vienna, Baden and St. Pölten, we accompany you comprehensively – more than 30,000 children have been born with our help.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about sperm and egg donation.
Is sperm donation anonymous in Austria?
No. In Austria, only non-anonymous donation is permitted. This means: from the completed 14th year of age, the child can receive information about the identity of the donor. This does not create legal parenthood or maintenance obligations – the parents are the people who wanted the child together and raise it (as of 2026).
How is a suitable donor selected?
We take into account the blood group as well as external characteristics such as hair, eye and skin colour, height and build, so that the child fits well into your family. Selection based on characteristics beyond this framework does not take place. You are involved in the selection and can ask questions about the profile.
Can two women use donor sperm in Austria?
Yes. Since the amendment to the Reproductive Medicine Act, the treatment of two women living together in a marriage, registered partnership or cohabiting relationship with donor sperm has been permitted. You can read more on our page about fertility care for same-sex couples.
Is notarial counselling required for a donation?
Yes. If sperm or eggs from a third person are used, in-depth notarial counselling on the legal consequences of the consent is provided for before the treatment. We tell you early on when this appointment makes sense, so that it does not delay the course of treatment.
Insemination or IVF – which makes more sense with donor sperm?
That depends on your findings. With patent fallopian tubes, regular ovulation and a younger age, insemination is the gentler first path. If further findings are present or inseminations remain unsuccessful, we switch to IVF or ICSI. As a matter of principle, we start with the simplest procedure that has realistic prospects.
Are donor samples tested for infections and genetic diseases?
Yes. All donors undergo the legally prescribed examinations, including infection serologies and human genetic testing with counselling. Sperm samples are stored frozen and only released after the prescribed monitoring periods have elapsed and repeated tests have been carried out.
Can sperm and egg donation be used at the same time?
That is a question of the individual case and tightly regulated by law. Please talk to us about this directly: we examine your constellation and tell you openly what is permitted in Austria and what is not (as of 2026) – without sending you abroad with unrealistic expectations.
How do I tell my child that it was conceived with a donation?
Because only non-anonymous donation is possible in Austria, we recommend treating the story of how your child came to be as a matter-of-fact part of your family story from the very beginning. Experience shows that children cope well with it when they learn about it early and in an age-appropriate way – not as a late secret. We are happy to take time for these conversations, more than once if needed.
Your next step
We fulfil your wish for a child!
We are happy to advise you personally on sperm and egg donation.
Or call us: +43 1 877 77 75