Authorization to move embryos

Published on 14 March 2025

The movement of embryos, whether in France or abroad, is subject to prior authorization in order to guarantee a strict and secure framework. The Agence de la biomédecine issues these authorizations under the conditions defined by Article L. 2141-9 of the French Public Health Code, after verifying compliance with legal and ethical requirements. Find out more on this page and download the embryo transfer authorization form.

Authorization is issued in response to :

at the request of a couple or an unmarried woman wishing to bring embryos into or out of France for the purposes of pursuing their parental project.
Authorization may only be issued to an establishment, organization or laboratory holding an authorization to carry out biological AMP activities.

The Agency's Director General makes her decision within 2 months of receipt of the complete application.

File request

Model authorization for the movement of embryos

Decision of December 20, 2021 amending the decision of May 30, 2014 establishing the model of the application file for authorization of cross-border embryo movements.

**The file should preferably be sent electronically or by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt in 2 copies, or handed in against a receipt, to the following address:**Agence de la biomédecine Direction juridique 1 avenue du Stade de France 93212 Saint-Denis La Plaine Cedex juridique@biomedecine.mssante.fr (this address can only be used by a healthcare professional)If you have not received an acknowledgement of receipt from the legal department within 72 hours, please contact us at juridique@biomedecine.fr.