Abortion in Europe varies considerably between countries and territories due to differing national laws and policies on its legality, availability of the procedure, and alternative forms of support for pregnant women and their families.
In most European countries, abortion is generally permitted within a term limit below fetal viability (e.g. 12 weeks in Germany and Italy, or 14 weeks in France and Spain), although a wide range of exceptions permit abortion later in the pregnancy.[1][2] The longest term limits – in terms of gestation – are in the United Kingdom and in the Netherlands, both at 24 weeks of gestation.
Abortion is subsidized or fully funded in many European countries.[1] Grounds for abortion are highly restricted in Poland and in the smaller jurisdictions of Monaco, Liechtenstein, Malta and the Faroe Islands, and abortion is prohibited in Andorra.[3]
The European Court of Human Rights, summarising its abortion-related case law, in the Vo v France ruling in 2004, noted the "diversity of views on the point at which life begins, of legal cultures and of national standards of protection" and therefore, in a European context, the nation-state "has been left with considerable discretion in the matter."[4]
- ^ a b Kessler, Glenn (2023-01-20). "Analysis | The GOP claim that Democrats support abortion 'up to moment of birth'". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
- ^ Greenberg, Jon. "PolitiFact - Fact-check: How Mississippi's abortion law compares with laws in Europe". @politifact.
- ^ See table below for a full outline of abortion laws by jurisdiction in Europe.
- ^ "Case of Vo. v France (Application no. 53924/00)". Strasbourg: European Court of Human Rights. 8 July 2004. Retrieved 29 February 2024.