How many children can a sperm donor have?
In Denmark, a donor can donate sperm to a maximum of 12 different families. However, there is no internationally agreed limit for the number of children a sperm donor can have since the rules vary from country to country.
Learn more about becoming a sperm donor here.
Examples of the limits by country
Every country has its own regulations regarding sperm donation and the number of families or women a donor can help. Here below, you can see a table showing the limits in different countries:
| Country | Limit |
| France | 10 families |
| United Kingdom | 10 families |
| Denmark | 12 families |
| Netherlands | 12 women |
| Germany | 10 families |
The different limits explained
Some countries have made regulations based on how many children donors can help conceive, while others have found their limits on the number of families. The difference between the two types of limits is the number of children a donor can help conceive. In countries where the limit is defined by the number of families a donor can help conceive multiple children in one family, meaning that in Denmark, sperm donors can help conceive more than 12 children, making it possible for children to have a genetic sibling.
These regulations ensure genetic diversity and aim to minimize potential unintended social consequences.