Europe gradually liberalises abortion laws

European countries have generally moved towards more liberal abortion laws over the past three decades, although access remains highly uneven across the continent. A comparative study of abortion legislation in 45 European countries found that 14 countries liberalised their laws between 1994 and 2023. In 11 of these countries, reforms introduced abortion on request, without requiring women to demonstrate specific medical or social grounds. Around 85% of women of reproductive age covered by the study now live in one of 39 countries where abortion is available on request.

The changes reflect a broader shift in European abortion policy, but they have not produced a common legal framework. Countries continue to differ significantly over gestational limits, mandatory procedures and the circumstances under which abortion can be provided. Some states have removed major legal barriers, while others continue to require specific grounds or impose additional conditions even where abortion is formally legal.

Malta is among the countries where the legal framework has changed in recent years. In 2023, it amended its legislation to move away from an almost total ban on abortion, although the procedure remains permitted only in narrowly defined circumstances related to protecting a pregnant woman’s life. The study also identifies Poland, Andorra and Liechtenstein among the European countries with the most restrictive abortion frameworks.

Legal access does not guarantee practical access

The researchers point to an important distinction between abortion being legally permitted and women being able to obtain the procedure in practice. Legal barriers can include mandatory counselling, waiting periods, requirements for medical examinations and restrictions on the methods that can be used. In some countries, healthcare professionals can also refuse to participate in abortion procedures on grounds of conscience, potentially affecting the availability of services.

The differences are also visible in gestational limits. European countries set different deadlines for abortion on request, with the permitted period varying substantially between national systems. According to European Parliament research, these limits range from around 10 to 24 weeks, depending on the country. Access to medication abortion and telemedicine also varies, meaning that the availability of a legal procedure does not necessarily translate into the same level of access across Europe.

These differences can have consequences beyond national borders. Women living in countries where abortion is restricted or difficult to access may travel to another European country to obtain care, creating additional financial, logistical and administrative barriers. Cross-border access has therefore become part of the wider European debate over reproductive healthcare, particularly where national legislation and healthcare provision differ significantly.

National laws remain decisive

Despite growing discussion at EU level, abortion legislation remains primarily a national responsibility. The European Union does not have the power to fully harmonise abortion laws across its member states, so changes to legal limits and access conditions continue to depend largely on national governments and courts. European institutions can address abortion through broader areas such as public health, gender equality and cross-border healthcare, but they cannot establish a single set of rules for all member states.