IVF finance in the UK made clear

Your route to funding IVF without the stress

Fertility treatment is deeply personal, but the price tag is not. Understanding how to pay for IVF is as important as choosing your clinic. Getting finance right can mean beginning treatment sooner, protecting your savings, and avoiding surprises later. As a UK-based retail finance broker, Kandoo helps you compare personal loans from multiple lenders in one place, so you can pick an option that fits both your treatment plan and your budget.

Across the UK, clinics and partners increasingly offer ways to spread costs. Some providers have in-house payment plans that break fees into monthly instalments, helping you smooth the outlay across your treatment timeline. For example, London Women’s Clinic outlines payment plans that support patients in finding affordable routes to care. Others, such as IVF Matters, highlight flexible finance that converts large upfront costs into structured payments. You will also find broader guidance showing that many private clinics provide payment plans so you can spread costs across a set period, aligning payments with treatment milestones.

Where a clinic plan does not fit, unsecured personal loans can. Through partners like Access Fertility, Kandoo enables applications from around £500 up to £50,000 with repayment terms of up to seven years, which can cover a single cycle, medications, add-ons, or the full programme. Some lenders even provide specialist fertility loans designed specifically for treatment costs, including options for applicants with less-than-perfect credit.

Understanding APR is not just about percentages - it is about what you pay in real terms over time. A sensible approach is to compare the monthly repayment, total amount repayable, fees, and early repayment policies before you commit. The right choice balances affordability with flexibility, especially if treatment timelines shift or additional cycles become necessary.

The goal is not just approval. It is affordability that holds up under real life.

If you are planning IVF, take a measured view. Map your clinical plan, then map the finance. Check your credit, set a realistic monthly budget, and choose a finance route that gives you breathing room. With a clear plan, you can reduce financial friction and focus on what matters most.

Who benefits from this guide

If you are considering IVF, donor treatments, or related procedures and want to spread the cost without compromising care, this guide is for you. It is particularly useful if you need to start soon but prefer to avoid a large lump-sum payment, or if you are balancing treatment costs with rent or a mortgage, childcare, or other commitments. It will also help if you are comparing a clinic payment plan with an external loan and want to understand which is cheaper over the full term.

People with a mixed credit history will find practical pointers too, as some lenders offer specialist fertility loans that may consider your broader profile. Whether you aim to borrow a few hundred pounds for medications or finance a full multi-cycle programme, you will learn how to weigh interest rates, fees, and flexibility.

The finance terms you will see, explained

• APR: The annual cost of borrowing, including interest and most fees. Useful for comparisons across lenders.

• Representative APR: The rate that at least 51% of accepted applicants get. Your rate may differ based on your profile.

• Fixed vs variable rate: Fixed keeps repayments stable. Variable can change, which may raise or lower monthly costs.

• Term length: The number of months or years you repay over. Longer terms lower monthly payments but increase total interest.

• Total amount repayable: Principal plus all interest and fees over the full term. This reveals the real cost.

• Early repayment: Paying off some or all of the balance ahead of schedule. Check for charges or interest savings.

• Soft vs hard credit search: Soft checks do not affect your score. Hard searches can, at least in the short term.

• Secured vs unsecured: Most fertility loans are unsecured, so no asset is used as collateral.

Your main ways to pay, at a glance

1. Clinic payment plans Many UK clinics provide instalment plans that spread treatment costs across a fixed schedule. London Women’s Clinic sets out options designed to make payments more manageable, and guidance across the sector confirms that payment plans are commonly used to help patients spread costs over time. These can be convenient if you want a simple, clinic-linked solution.

2. External personal loans via a broker Through partners such as Access Fertility, Kandoo enables applications for unsecured loans from roughly £500 to £50,000, with terms up to seven years. You can finance part or all of your programme and keep the clinic relationship separate from the finance agreement. This route can offer competitive rates and flexibility.

3. Specialist fertility loans Some lenders tailor products for fertility treatment, including options for applicants with weaker credit profiles. These can come with higher APRs, so weigh affordability carefully. Kandoo’s guides explain how to approach these applications and what to expect.

4. Savings and hybrid approaches Using savings for deposits and a smaller loan for the remainder can reduce interest costs while preserving an emergency buffer. Consider splitting costs between medications, procedures, and add-ons.

5. Employer support or healthcare cash plans A minority of employers offer fertility benefits or wellbeing allowances. Certain cash plans may contribute to diagnostics but typically not full IVF costs. Always check the policy.

What it could cost, and what it means for you

Small differences in APR and term can change total cost by thousands over several years.

Who is likely to be eligible

Eligibility depends on lender criteria, but most unsecured loan providers will look at your credit history, income, current borrowing, and electoral roll status. A clean credit file and stable income generally unlock better rates, though specialist fertility lenders may consider broader circumstances if your score is not perfect. Affordability checks assess whether the monthly repayment fits alongside your regular commitments such as rent or mortgage, utilities, and other credit.

Clinic payment plans usually require you to be a private self-pay patient with treatment booked at the clinic. They may ask for an initial deposit and set a defined schedule you must follow to remain eligible for treatment. External loans are separate from your clinical pathway, which can be useful if you plan multiple cycles or need to finance medications and add-ons not included in package prices.

If you have had missed payments or defaults, do not assume you will be declined everywhere. Some lenders specialise in fertility finance and will review your application on its merits. The trade-off is typically a higher APR, so plan for a realistic term and consider overpayments when possible.

From application to approval in simple steps

1. Map your treatment plan and total expected costs.

2. Check your credit file and correct any errors.

3. Set a monthly budget with a 10-20% buffer.

4. Compare clinic plans against brokered loan options.

5. Get personalised quotes using soft credit searches.

6. Review APR, fees, term, and early repayment rules.

7. Apply and upload documents promptly if requested.

8. On approval, align disbursement with clinic timelines.

The upsides and the trade-offs

Read this before you commit

Finance should support your clinical plan, not dictate it. Before proceeding, confirm what your clinic package includes and what it does not, such as medications, scans, ICSI, or freezing. If using a clinic plan, check whether treatment must be completed within a set timeframe. For external loans, read the credit agreement closely, including any fees, cooling-off rights, and early repayment rules. Stress-test your budget against potential extra cycles, travel, or time off work. Finally, keep a small emergency fund separate from treatment finance so an unexpected bill does not disrupt repayments.

Alternatives you might weigh up

1. Delay treatment to save more and reduce borrowing.

2. Use a smaller loan alongside savings to lower interest costs.

3. Explore employer fertility benefits or wellbeing allowances.

4. Consider smaller diagnostic steps first to refine treatment needs.

5. Review NHS criteria in your area in case eligibility has changed.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Are clinic payment plans cheaper than loans? A: Not always. Compare the monthly payment, total repayable, fees, and flexibility. Clinic plans offer convenience, while brokered loans may provide sharper rates depending on your credit.

Q: How much can I borrow for IVF? A: Through partners that work with Kandoo, applicants can typically request from around £500 up to £50,000, with terms up to seven years. Actual limits depend on your profile and lender.

Q: Can I get fertility finance with bad credit? A: Some lenders offer specialist fertility loans and may consider applications with weaker credit. Expect higher APRs. Improving your score and adding a realistic term can help affordability.

Q: Will applying harm my credit score? A: Eligibility checks often use soft searches first. A full application usually includes a hard search, which can affect your score temporarily. Multiple hard searches in a short period can compound the effect.

Q: Can I repay early without penalties? A: Many lenders allow overpayments or early settlement. Some may charge a fee or limit how interest is calculated. Always check the early repayment terms before you sign.

Q: What costs are easy to miss? A: Medications, freezing and storage, add-ons like ICSI, and repeat scans can add up. Budget for travel, time off work, and potential additional cycles.

Your next move

Gather your treatment plan, set a firm monthly budget, and compare clinic payment plans with brokered loan options side by side. Use soft-search quotes to see likely rates without affecting your score, then select the option that offers the best blend of affordability, flexibility, and speed. Keep an emergency buffer and review terms carefully before you accept an offer.

Important information

Kandoo is a UK-based retail finance broker, not a lender. Eligibility, rates, and terms depend on individual circumstances and lender assessment. This article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. Consider seeking independent advice if you are unsure whether a product is suitable for you.