Blog
How much do UK sperm banks compensate their donors?
If you’re curious about becoming a sperm donor in the UK, one of your first questions might be, “How much do sperm donors make?” The short answer is that sperm banks in the UK offer compensation, not direct payment. However, there’s more to it than just the money.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of becoming a donor, the medical criteria involved, and exactly how much money eligible men are compensated when they donate sperm.
Who can be a sperm donor in the UK?
Before we discuss sperm donor pay, it’s important to understand that not everyone is eligible to donate, because sperm banks in the UK won’t accept just anyone who walks through the door.
They screen all applicants to be sure they are healthy, without serious genetic conditions, and have sufficiently good quality sperm to produce a viable pregnancy.
What does the sperm donor screening process involve?
At The London Sperm Bank, applicants undergo a rigorous medical and lifestyle donor screening process, including:
- Family history checks for inherited conditions
- Interviews about personality, education, and hobbies
- A physical examination
- Blood tests to screen for infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis
- Sperm analysis to check count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and survival rate after freezing
The staff at The London Sperm Bank will look at an applicant’s family history and ascertain if they have any familial genetic conditions that might manifest in potential offspring. Potential donors may be asked about their personality, education and hobbies to build a complete picture of who they are as a person. There is also a physical exam, blood tests to screen for infectious diseases and the most important of all: testing the sperm.
This last test involves the applicant producing a sample in one of the bank’s producing rooms and then giving this to the sperm bank staff for immediate testing with the andrologist. The andrologist will assess the sperm analysis results by looking at the volume of the sample, the sperm count, and the number of sperm that survive the freezing process, as well as the motility and morphology of the surviving sperm.
In some cases, to get an accurate sense of an applicant’s sperm quality, they may be asked to return on another occasion to produce a second sample for testing. Lastly, they will be asked to speak with a counsellor to confirm they understand the full implications of donating sperm.
A doctor and an andrologist will look over the results from all the tests and will assess an applicant’s suitability to be a sperm donor. Being rejected as a donor does not always mean there is anything wrong; it usually means the sperm might have failed the freeze and thaw tests or the necessary criteria set by the fertility industry and the governing body. If the andrologist has any serious concerns, they will inform the donor and advise them.
This process ensures the sperm is medically viable and that donors are emotionally prepared. Only around 4% of applicants are accepted.
What happens after you’re accepted to be a sperm donor?
Now, assuming they are one of less than 4% of men who qualify, an applicant will be invited to begin regular donations. This means visiting the sperm bank every week for a period of three to six months. London Sperm Bank is based in London Bridge and is open for visits between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm.
Each visit involves producing a sperm sample on-site in a private, designated donor room. The sample must be fresh and is immediately analysed and stored by andrologists.
How much do sperm donors get paid in the UK?
Lastly, the question everyone wants to hear the answer to. People often ask, “How much do UK sperm banks pay?” and we have to make one essential point very clear. We don’t pay, we compensate.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates the fertility industry in the UK, rightly insists we emphasise this distinction. The amount offered is not a payment, and a person should never feel compelled to donate for financial gain, but rather because they want to help a family in need. So, the money a donor receives is to compensate for out-of-pocket expenses. The amount in the UK is set at £45 per clinic visit, and it is illegal to pay sperm donors more than their reasonable expenses.
That £45 per clinic visit is designed to cover:
- Travel expenses
- Time spent attending appointments
- Potential loss of earnings
If you donate once a week over six months, you could be compensated up to £1,170 in total (£45 × 26 weeks). So, if you’re wondering how much a sperm donor can make, that’s a realistic upper estimate of what a donor will be compensated for their time and effort.
Are there any other benefits to becoming a sperm donor?
While “how much do sperm donors get paid?” is a common question, many donors say the emotional and personal rewards are a far better benefit than any financial compensation that they receive.
The whole point of sperm donation in the UK is to help other people who are unable to start a family. Our donors are on the programme for altruistic reasons, and the compensation is incidental. The men on the donor sperm programme will all have different reasons for participation, but it’s likely none of them are doing it for financial gain. And for that reason, we salute them.
FAQ: Sperm donor compensation
How much do sperm donors get paid per donation?
Each clinic visit is compensated at £45, set by the HFEA.
Can a sperm donor ever receive more than £45 per sample?
In some cases, additional compensation may be given if expenses for such things as travel, accommodation and childcare costs exceed this limit. However, this is determined on a case-by-case basis, and the clinic is likely to require proof of expenses.
Is the sperm donor compensation taxable?
No. Since it’s classified as compensation for expenses, not income, money received by sperm donors is not taxable.
Is sperm donor pay enough to make it a side hustle?
Sperm donation is not an act designed to be a means of earning income or making a career. The amount sperm donors are given is intended to cover out-of-pocket costs that they incur for donating. It is not an incentive.
If your main motivation for donating is based on how much a sperm donor can make, becoming a sperm donor may not be the right fit. However, if you’re interested in helping others while receiving modest compensation for your time and effort, it can be a fulfilling experience and a meaningful way to contribute to someone else’s future family, while gaining insight into your own reproductive health along the way. To take the first step, apply to become a sperm donor with The London Sperm Bank.