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Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

IVF Treatment

46+

Years of Experience

5+

Reviews

5.0

Ratings

About Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

Dr. Rafael Bernabeu is an innovative reproductive medicine expert, Founder and Medical Director of Instituto Bernabeu, Alicante, Spain - the so-called Father of Assisted Reproduction in the Valencian Community and one of the leading experts in IVF and fertility medicine in Europe.

  • Professional Background

    • Years of Practice: 40+ years (since 1980)
    • Founder and Medical Director of Instituto Bernabeu, of 9 Reproductive Medicine Clinics (8 in Spain (Alicante, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena, Albacete, Elche and Benidorm) and 1 in Venice.
    • Directorships since its inception in 2004 of the Chair of Reproductive Medicine at Miguel Hernandez University of Elhe; Founder of the Chair of Reproductive Biology at the University of Alicante; Founder of the Master Degree in Reproductive Medicine at the University of Alicante.
    • Specializations: IVF, egg donation, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGT), poor ovarian response, implantation failure, male infertility.
    • MD (Honours): University of Valencia (1980); Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology (1984); PhD: Miguel Hernandez University of Elche; Postgraduate training at New York University, Cornell University and Johns Hopkins University.
  • Innovations and Contributions

    • Founded one of the first sperm banks in Spain in 1985; in 1987, the first IVF pregnancy in the Valencian Community in 1987 was achieved - one of the first in Spain.
    • First pregnancy in Spain and in the world - with spermatids of a father who had no spermatozoa through intra-oocyte injection (1998); and the first birth worldwide of a girl without retinoschisis (inherited blindness) with preimplantation genetic diagnosis (2004)
    • Co-author of more than 150 refereed papers published in such journals as Human Reproduction, Fertility and Sterility, Reproductive Biomedicine Online; presenter of more than 200 national and international conferences.
    • Winner of the American Foundation of Reproductive Medicine Award (2017), the British Fertility Society Award (2014), ASRM 2nd Prize (2012), and the Spanish Fertility Society First Prize (2000 and 2010)
    • Instituto Bernabeu has treated more than 20,000 patients in 137 countries, and born more than 20,000 successful births.

The firsts in assisted reproduction and his unwavering investment in research, education and patient-centered care have earned Instituto Bernabeu a well-respected name as one of the best fertility centers in the world.

Good to know

Speciality

IVF TreatmentGynecology TreatmentFertility Treatment

Language Spoken

EnglishSpanish

Awards

  • Research Prize from the Spanish Society of Fertility (SEF)
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Prize (2nd Place)

Founder & Medical Director

Instituto Bernabeu

1985 - 2024

Director of the Reproductive Medicine Professorship

2004 - 2024

All Procedures

Performed by Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

IVF Treatment

IVF Treatment

Abroad, couples can receive all-encompassing reproductive health services; these include IVF, ICSI, IUI, PGD/PGS genetic screening of embryos, male infertility treatments, egg donors, and surrogacy services, all provided by the highest-quality fertility medical teams. Many individuals face substantial financial barriers to fertility treatment. For example, an IVF cycle with ICSI in the U.S. will cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 while the same IVF cycle with ICSI at an internationally accredited fertility clinic abroad could cost as little as $2,500 to $5,500. Abroad, international fertility centers provide larger donor databases, reduced wait times, time-lapse embryonic imaging, and multi-lingual fertility program managers to help guide patients from initial consultations to confirming pregnancy. All patients report receiving better communication, personalization, and accessibility when undergoing fertility treatment abroad compared to their experiences at home. When choosing an internationally located IVF center, it is essential to first determine the quality of the IVF laboratory. It is also very important to evaluate the level of experience of the reproductive endocrinologist. Therefore, you should always check a fertility center's live-birth rate (and not just clinical pregnancy rates), the laboratory accreditation, and the qualifications of the embryologists. The emotional support and well-being of patients, along with a patient's ability to adhere to recommended healthy lifestyle habits during the IVF cycle, as well as adhering to the fertility doctor's stimulation protocol recommendations, are all critical components of successful fertility treatment.

Gynecology Treatment

Gynecology Treatment

[Gynecology treatment](https://curemeabroad.com/treatments/gynecology-treatment/caesarean-section) abroad covers hysterectomy, fibroid surgery, endometriosis excision, PCOS management, pelvic floor repair, cervical cancer treatment, and minimally invasive gynecologic procedures. Options range from diagnostic laparoscopy to complex robotic-assisted surgery for gynecologic malignancies. Gynecologic surgical costs and waiting times are major concerns in many countries. A [laparoscopic hysterectomy](https://curemeabroad.com/treatments/laparoscopic-surgery) that costs $20,000 to $35,000 at home may be available for $4,000 to $9,000 abroad at equally accredited hospitals with board-certified gynecologic surgeons experienced in minimally invasive techniques. Leading international gynecology centers offer shorter waiting times, robotic surgical capabilities, and dedicated women's health coordinators. Patients consistently report receiving more personalized care and more thorough pre-surgical counseling than they experienced at home. The gynecologist's subspecialty training and the hospital's surgical technology are the most important factors. Confirm your surgeon is certified in minimally invasive or [robotic gynecologic surgery](https://curemeabroad.com/treatments/robotic-surgery/robotic-gynecology-surgery). Recovery outcomes are significantly influenced by adherence to postoperative activity restrictions, follow-up pelvic ultrasound, and hormonal management where applicable.

Fertility Treatment

Fertility Treatment

Fertility treatment abroad offers couples and individuals access to IVF, ICSI, egg donation, surrogacy, IUI, and fertility preservation programs at world-class reproductive medicine centers. Specialists use advanced embryology techniques and personalized hormonal protocols to maximize the chance of a successful pregnancy. [Fertility treatment](https://curemeabroad.com/treatments/fertility-treatment/assisted-laser-hatching) costs can be a significant barrier for many families. An IVF cycle that costs $15,000 to $25,000 at home may be available for $3,000 to $6,000 abroad at equally equipped clinics with internationally trained reproductive endocrinologists and high success rates. Leading international fertility centers offer shorter waiting times, extensive donor databases, and multilingual coordinators who support patients throughout every stage of their journey. Patients report receiving more personalized, attentive care than they experienced in their home country. The clinic's laboratory quality and the reproductive specialist's experience are the most important factors. Always verify IVF success rates, laboratory accreditation, and embryologist credentials. Your individual [fertility](https://curemeabroad.com/treatments/fertility-treatment/ivf-with-sperm-donation) diagnosis, response to stimulation, and embryo quality all play a significant role in outcomes.

Learn From Patient Stories

For Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

46+ years of experienceInstituto BernabeuPrimary speciality - IVF Treatment
A

Anonymous

5.0Mar 2026GOOGLE
GOOGLE

Excellent international support. Being from Norway, the logistics of IVF can be a nightmare, but the Rafael Bernabeu Foundation and the clinic team handled everything. They offer a 'Pregnancy Guarantee' that gave us the peace of mind we needed to try one last time.

A

Anonymous

5.0Mar 2026GOOGLE
GOOGLE

A true pioneer. I was a patient of Dr. Rafael's 20 years ago, and I returned with my daughter for her own fertility journey. He has created a legacy of excellence that is rare in medicine today. He is an extraordinarily humble and discreet genius.

A

Anonymous

5.0Feb 2026GOOGLE
GOOGLE

The professionalism at IB is 5-star. Even though Dr. Andrea now leads the medical team, the 'Bernabeu standard' is evident everywhere. The lab is the most advanced I've ever seen, and their AI-driven embryo selection is clearly why they have such high success rates.

A

Anonymous

5.0Jan 2026GOOGLE
GOOGLE

Dr. Rafael Bernabeu personally attended our initial consultation last year. His depth of knowledge is humbling. He explained the genetics of our case with such clarity. After 4 unsuccessful attempts in the UK, we are finally holding our miracle baby thanks to his institution.

A

Anonymous

5.0Feb 2026GOOGLE
GOOGLE

We traveled from Venice to Alicante specifically to see Dr. Bernabeu’s team. In 2026, they are still the only ones who truly understand complex implantation failure. We felt so cared for, not just as patients, but as people. The empathy in this clinic is extraordinary.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

Rafael Bernabeu has been practicing medicine since 1985, giving them over 40 years of clinical experience. They currently serve as Founder & Medical Director, Instituto Bernabeu and have built a focused career in founder & medical director, instituto bernabeu.

Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

You can request a consultation with Rafael Bernabeu through CureMeAbroad by submitting your details. Video consultations are available for international patients before travel through CureMeAbroad.

Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

Dr. Rafael Bernabeu

IVF treatment costs vary based on the protocol, number of cycles, and whether donor eggs or sperm are required. Treatment with Rafael Bernabeu is generally more affordable than in the UK or US, and CureMeAbroad can arrange a personalized cost breakdown including consultations, medications, and laboratory fees.

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