Italy Outlaws Overseas Surrogacy

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Facts

• In an 84-58 vote on Wednesday, the Italian parliament passed a bill banning residents from conceiving a child via surrogacy in foreign countries.^[1]
• A national ban on surrogacy has been in place for two decades, with the latest extension carrying penalties of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to €1M ($1.1M).^[2][1]
• In the lead-up to the vote, opponents rallied outside the Senate on Tuesday, arguing that the legislation will mostly affect LGBTQ+ couples. While Italy has recognized same-sex civil unions since 2016, it prohibits same-sex marriages.^[3][4]
• According to Rainbow Families President Alessia Crocini, 90% of Italian surrogacy recipients are heterosexual couples who do it covertly.^[5]
• This comes as Italy experiences a low birth rate. Last year marked the 15th straight year of declining birth rates, with 379K births — a 3.6% decrease from 2022 and around 35% lower than in 2008.^[6]

Sources: ^[1]Reuters (a), ^[2]BBC News, ^[3]ABC News, ^[4]Reuters (b), ^[5]US News & World Report and ^[6]Forbes.

Narratives

• Conservative narrative, as provided by Vatican News and The Heritage Foundation. Surrogacy has no place in Italy. Besides the very real risks that this practice poses to women and children's health, it also raises serious ethical concerns: It commodifies human life, completely disregards children's well-being, and often exploits women in vulnerable situations. This legislation shows that the Italian government is in line with the Catholic Church.
• Progressive narrative, as provided by New York Times. Despite surrogacy already being outlawed in Italy, Meloni's government has sought to impose yet another crackdown on LGBTQ+ families, and this bill makes it nearly impossible for gay men to have children. Italy already ranks low in Europe in terms of civil freedoms. Making it unlawful for Italians to start a family through surrogacy overseas will not help Italy's standing.

Predictions