Abortion in Greece

Abortion in Greece has been fully legalized since 1986, when Law 1609/1986 was passed effective from 3 July 1986.[1][2] Partial legalization of abortion in Greece was passed in Law 821 in 1978 that provided for the legal termination of a pregnancy, with no time limitation, in the event of a threat to the health or life of the woman. This law also allowed for termination up to the 12th week of pregnancy due to psychiatric indications and to the 20th week due to fetal pathology.[3] Following the passage of the 1986 law, abortions can be performed on-demand in hospitals for women whose pregnancies have not exceeded 12 weeks.[4] In the case of rape or incest, an abortion can occur as late as 19 weeks, and as late as 24 weeks in the case of fetal abnormalities.[4] In case of inevitable risk to the life of the pregnant woman or a risk of serious and continuous damage to her physical or mental health, termination of pregnancy is legal any time before birth.[2][5] Girls under the age of 18 must get written permission from a parent or guardian before being allowed an abortion.[4]

Law 1609 also specifies that the abortion must be performed by a medical practitioner with a specialty in gynecology or obstetrics and with the assistance of an anesthesiologist; that the pregnant woman is informed of the consequences of terminating the pregnancy, including the state that the state can provide some protection for the mother and child, as well as other family planning topics; that the mother's health is examined prior to the abortion; and that the hospital or private clinic where the abortion is performed meets particular specifications.[6]

As of 2007, the abortion rate was 7.2 abortions per 1000 women aged 15–44 years.[7]

  1. ^ Ioannidi-Kapolou, Elizabeth (January 2004). "Use of Contraception and Abortion in Greece: A Review". Reproductive Health Matters. 12 (sup24): 174–183. doi:10.1016/s0968-8080(04)24001-0. ISSN 0968-8080. PMID 15938171. S2CID 10077100.
  2. ^ a b Rights of embryo and foetus in public and private law, Ismini Kriari-Catranis et al., p. 9
  3. ^ Sarella, Angeliki; Lykeridou, Katerina; Glinou, Anna; Bothou, Anastasia; Palaska, Ermioni; Tzanavara, Maria; Zervoudis, Stefanos; Petropoulou, Sophia (January 2020). "KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEFS OF WOMEN FOR THE ABORTIONS'S LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK IN GREECE". Journal of Clinical Research and Reviews (2).
  4. ^ a b c "Europe's abortion rules". 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  5. ^ "Committee on the rights of the child consideration of reports submitted by states parties under article 44 of the convention, p. 9". Archived from the original on 2016-06-12. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  6. ^ Chalkia, Alexandra (2004). The empty cradle of democracy : sex, abortion, and nationalism in modern Greece. Durham: Duke University Press. ISBN 978-0-8223-8604-9. OCLC 651953723.
  7. ^ "World Abortion Policies 2013". United Nations. 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.