Italy Bans Surrogacy Abroad: Couples Face Prison and Heavy Fines

Italy has passed a new law that prevents couples from traveling abroad to have babies through surrogacy. The law imposes tough penalties, including up to two years in prison and fines of up to €1 million (£835,710), for anyone who breaks it.

This decision is part of a broader conservative push by Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. She strongly opposes surrogacy, describing it as a harmful practice that blurs the lines between human rights and personal desires. Meloni believes that paying for surrogacy is morally wrong, calling it a sign of a society that replaces moral values with money.

In addition to this, in 2023, Meloni's government told Milan’s city council to stop recognizing children born to same-sex couples. Critics say that the new law unfairly targets LGBT couples, who already face restrictions in Italy since they cannot adopt or use IVF treatments to have children.

This law is part of Italy’s ongoing debate about family rights, with many people arguing that it limits the options for couples who want to start families in non-traditional ways.