Italy has passed a law making it illegal for couples to travel abroad to have a child through surrogacy. This means that couples who want to have a baby via surrogacy in countries where it is allowed, like the United States or Canada, can no longer do so legally. The consequences of breaking this law are severe, with violators facing up to two years in prison and fines as high as €1 million (£835,710).

This law is an extension of Italy’s existing ban on surrogacy within the country, and it has sparked significant controversy. Critics argue that the new law mainly targets LGBT couples, who already face restrictions in Italy when it comes to family planning. Same-sex couples in Italy are not allowed to adopt or use IVF treatments, which limits their options for starting a family.

Surrogacy is a process where a woman carries a baby on behalf of another couple or individual. It’s often used by couples who have fertility problems or by same-sex male couples who need a surrogate to have a child. While surrogacy is legal in some countries, Italy’s new law aims to stop people from bypassing domestic restrictions by going abroad.

This move by Italy’s far-right government has raised concerns about the rights of LGBT couples, as well as the general direction of family law in the country. Critics believe the law could further limit the freedom of families to decide how they want to grow, particularly for same-sex couples who already face numerous obstacles.