IVF-Life Donostia, San Sebastian, Spain
π₯ Presentation
IVF-Life Donostia is a medically assisted reproduction clinic located on Avenida de Tolosa, in the Ibaeta district of San SebastiΓ‘n (Spanish Basque Country). A member of the IVF-Life group, it provides IVF, egg donation, the ROPA method, artificial insemination and fertility preservation.[1]
The centre was formerly known as IVF Donostia (Instituto Vasco de Fertilidad). According to a 2023 group interview, its team has grown from 8 to nearly 30 people in about five years, and the number of treatment cycles has tripled over the same period[4]. San SebastiΓ‘n lies about twenty kilometres from the French border.
The clinic has its own IVF and andrology laboratories, an operating theatre, GERI time-lapse incubators, the Gidget traceability system and the ZyMΕt sperm selection device[1]. Most of the gynaecologists and patient coordinators speak French[2].
πΌ Areas of expertise
IVF-Life Donostia offers the following treatments[1]:
- In vitro fertilisation (IVF): IVF cycles with the couple’s gametes or with donated gametes, embryo culture in time-lapse incubators.
- Egg donation: the IVF-Life group has its own donor bank; matching takes into account phenotype and blood group, in compliance with the anonymity required by Spanish law.
- ROPA method: a technique for female couples, where one partner provides the eggs and the other carries the pregnancy.
- Artificial insemination: with partner’s sperm or donor sperm.
- Fertility preservation: egg vitrification for patients wishing to postpone their parental project.
- Other services: double gamete donation, embryo adoption, IVF for single women and gynaecology consultations.
πΆ Procedure prices
IVF-Life does not publish prices: the clinic provides a detailed quote after medical assessment[3]. The ranges below are indicative; only the quote is binding.
| Procedure | IVF-Life Donostia price (indicative) | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Standard IVF | Β£3,300 – Β£3,900 | Β£4,000 – Β£8,000 |
| IVF with egg donation | Β£3,900 – Β£5,600 | Β£6,000 – Β£12,000 |
| ICSI IVF | Β£3,600 – Β£4,300 | Β£4,500 – Β£7,000 |
| Artificial insemination | Β£700 – Β£1,000 | Β£500 – Β£1,500 |
| ROPA method | Β£4,300 – Β£5,600 | Β£7,000 – Β£12,000 |
| Egg vitrification | Β£2,200 – Β£2,600 | Β£3,000 – Β£5,000 |
π§ββοΈ Team
The official website presents the following gynaecologists[2]:
- Dr Elisa PΓ©rez Larrea – Medical Director, gynaecologist (Spanish, English, French).
- Dr MarΓa JosΓ© IΓ±arra Velasco – Gynaecologist (Spanish, English, French, Basque).
- Sara Fueyo PestaΓ±a – Gynaecologist (Spanish, English, French).
- Dr Pilar Carrillo Torres – Gynaecologist (Spanish, English, French, Catalan).
- Dr Pedro Royo Manero – Gynaecologist (Spanish, English).
- Dr VerΓ³nica Corona GarcΓa – Gynaecologist (Spanish, English, French).
The laboratory is directed by MarΓa Velasco. The team also includes embryologists, nurses and about fifteen patient coordinators, most of whom speak French[2].
π₯ Presentation video
πΈ Clinic photos
A few images of IVF-Life Donostia’s premises:
π§ Treatment journey
The process usually involves several steps:
First contact: exchange with the patient coordination team, which includes several French-speaking coordinators, to present your situation and send your medical records.
Initial consultation: gynaecological examination, AMH test, transvaginal ultrasound and treatment plan definition, followed by a detailed quote[3].
Treatment phase: ovarian stimulation with ultrasound and hormonal monitoring, then egg retrieval under sedation in the clinic’s operating theatre.
Embryo transfer: performed a few days after retrieval (usually between day 3 and day 5 of culture), without anaesthesia.
Post-transfer follow-up: pregnancy test approximately two weeks after transfer, then first pregnancy ultrasound[3].
βοΈ Practical information
Airport access: San SebastiΓ‘n Airport, located in Hondarribia near the border, mainly connects to Madrid and Barcelona; there is no direct flight from the UK[7]. Biarritz Airport in France is the closest alternative.
Languages spoken: French, Spanish, English and Basque among the team; some members also speak Catalan or Italian[2].
Patient support: several French-speaking coordinators (including LucΓa, Cristina, Naroa and MaΓ«va) assist patients[2].
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm[1].
Announced services: the clinic states it organises taxi services for patients and has agreements with hotels and restaurants[1].
π¨ Nearby hotels
A few hotels in San SebastiΓ‘n:
π Timelines & duration
Cycle duration: an IVF cycle spans several weeks; ovarian stimulation lasts on average about ten days before egg retrieval.
Time on site: depends on the treatment. For IVF with your own eggs, retrieval and transfer take place at the clinic; for egg donation, presence on site mainly concerns the transfer.
Procedure duration: an egg retrieval and an embryo transfer usually last less than half an hour each.
π Key facts
Information verified on the establishment’s official website[1][2]:
| Indicator | IVF-Life Donostia |
|---|---|
| Group | IVF-Life |
| Former name | IVF Donostia (Instituto Vasco de Fertilidad) |
| Address | Avenida de Tolosa, 71-73, 20018 San SebastiΓ‘n |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm |
| Gynaecologists | 6 (including Medical Director, Dr Elisa PΓ©rez Larrea) |
| Facilities | IVF and andrology laboratories, operating theatre |
| Equipment | GERI time-lapse incubators, Gidget traceability, ZyMΕt |
| Languages | French, Spanish, English, Basque |
β FAQ
Does IVF-Life Donostia publish its success rates?
The IVF-Life group reports around 95% pregnancies with egg donation, all centres combined. No figures specific to the San SebastiΓ‘n centre are published: ask for centre results for your profile during the consultation.
Does the clinic offer follow-up in French?
Yes. Most gynaecologists and a large part of the patient coordination team speak French, according to the team page on the official website.
How many visits are needed for IVF?
It depends on the treatment and protocol. For IVF with your own eggs, plan at least for retrieval and transfer on site; for egg donation, presence mainly concerns the transfer. The medical team sets the schedule after consultation.
What are the waiting times for egg donation?
The IVF-Life group has its own donor bank but does not publish waiting times. The wait depends on matching with a donor; the clinic clarifies after medical assessment.
Does IVF-Life Donostia accept female couples and single women?
Yes. The clinic performs the ROPA method, where one woman provides the eggs and the other carries the pregnancy, as well as IVF and insemination with donor sperm for single women.
What equipment does the clinic use?
The official website cites GERI time-lapse incubators, the Gidget sample traceability system, the ZyMΕt microfluidic device for sperm selection, as well as the clinic’s own IVF and andrology laboratories.
What does the initial consultation include?
According to IVF-Life, the initial evaluation includes a gynaecological examination, an AMH test, a transvaginal ultrasound and a treatment plan. The clinic then provides a detailed quote.
π Location
Address: Avenida de Tolosa (Tolosa Hiribidea), 71-73, 20018 Donostia-San SebastiΓ‘n, Gipuzkoa, Spain[1]
Access: the clinic is in the Ibaeta district, west of the city centre. Bus lines 5, 25, 33, 40 and 45 serve Avenida de Tolosa[1].
π Useful links
π Other interesting articles
π IVF Spain Prices: Complete Guide to Fees
π IVF with Egg Donation in Spain: Prices and Procedures
π Conclusion
IVF-Life Donostia lies about twenty kilometres from the French border and offers the full range of assisted reproduction treatments, from egg donation to the ROPA method. A large part of the team speaks French. Prices are not published: the clinic provides a quote after medical assessment.
IVF-Life Donostia Reviews
