NHS IVF Eligibility Checker
Check if you qualify for NHS-funded IVF treatment in your area. NHS eligibility varies by postcode — this is the “IVF postcode lottery.”
How NHS IVF eligibility works
NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommends that women under 43 who have been trying to conceive for 2 years should be offered 3 full cycles of IVF. However, each local Integrated Care Board (ICB) sets its own eligibility criteria and number of funded cycles.
This means your access to NHS-funded IVF depends on where you live — a situation often called the “IVF postcode lottery.” Some areas fund 3 cycles (matching NICE guidelines), while others fund just 1 or even none.
Common eligibility criteria include:
- Age limits (typically under 40-42)
- BMI between 19-30
- Neither partner has existing children
- Non-smoker status
- At least 2 years of trying to conceive
- No previous IVF cycles (some areas)
These criteria vary significantly between areas. Always confirm the current criteria with your GP or local ICB.