Surrogát

Surrogát is the Hungarian term for a surrogate mother or surrogate mother arrangement, a form of assisted reproductive technology in which a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another person or couple. The arrangements typically aim to help people who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy due to medical, physical, or personal circumstances.

There are two main categories of surrogacy recognized internationally: traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate uses her own egg, and gestational surrogacy, where the embryo is created with the intended parents’ or donors’ gametes and implanted into the surrogate’s uterus. In Hungary, traditional surrogacy remains illegal under the Family Code, whereas gestational surrogacy is not explicitly prohibited but is regulated through contractual and ethical guidelines.

Surrogát arrangements in Hungary are governed by a combination of national law, European Union policies, and private contracts. The legal framework emphasizes the autonomy of the surrogate, the protection of the child’s rights, and the responsibilities of the intended parents. International agreements, such as the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children, have prompted discussions about the need for clearer national regulations to prevent commercial exploitation and ensure ethical practices.

Historically, surrogacy has been practiced in various cultures and has evolved with advances in reproductive technology. In recent years, Hungarian civil society and medical institutions have engaged in debates over the moral, legal, and social implications of surrogát, advocating for comprehensive legislation that balances the rights of all parties involved, particularly the welfare of the child and the voluntary nature of the surrogate’s participation.

The concept of surrogát intersects with bioethics, family law, and women's rights, and it remains a subject of ongoing legal reform and public discourse within Hungary and the broader European community.