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Abortion Laws and Policies

Overview

Abortion is permitted on request up to 14 weeks. Abortion is permitted in cases of: foetal impairment, is required or if the pregnancy endangers the woman or person’s health. For these cases no limitation regarding the lengths of pregnancy is mentioned in the legal text. A fetal reduction (in a multiple pregnancy) is permitted if the health of the woman or person or of the fetuses/embryos is seriously endangered.

Abortion is available free of charge through public health care system. Abortion providers and any persons assisting may be criminalized for an abortion outside of the legal conditions specified in the law. Medical practitioners and providers have the right to refuse abortion services based on personal beliefs, but they must inform the woman or person during their first visit.

Claim your rights

Access to abortion is a fundamental human right and a basic healthcare need. If you live in a country with restrictions to abortion access, you can visit Women on Web to request abortion pills or learn more about the local support and resources available in your country.

About Abortion Pills

An abortion with pills is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy at home. There are two ways to have an abortion with pills:

Have an abortion with a pill called Mifepristone and another pill called Misoprostol;
Have an abortion with the pill Misoprostol only.

You already have abortion pills? Find instructions, information around dosage, safety precautions and tips here.

Mifepristone

Mifepristone is officially registered by the country’s pharmaceutical authority.

A doctor's prescription may be required to get Mifepristone.

Mifepristone can be bought in pharmacy distribution

Misoprostol

Misoprostol is registered

It is registered for gynecological indications (such as birth, miscarriage treatment or abortion care etc.)

A doctor's prescription may be required to get Misoprostol.

Misoprostol can be bought in Pharmacy distribution

These are brand names under which Mifepristone, Misoprostol or Combi Packs (that contain both abortion pills Mifepristone and Misoprostol) are officially distributed and/or commonly found in the country.

Brand names

Mifepristone:
Mifegyne 200mg Exelgyn
Miffee 200 mg (Linepharma)

Misoprostol:
MisoOne 400 mcg (Nordic Pharma)
Gymiso 200 mcg (Linepharma)
MisoOne 400mcg (Exelgyn)

Safety notice
There are pills that contain a combination of Misoprostol and the painkiller Diclofenac. While manufactured for a different purpose they can still be used for abortion. Specific instructions need to be followed to avoid overdosing the Diclofenac.

Local Organizations and Resources

No local organizations.

Community Comments

No comments.

Scams

Watch out for fake abortion clinics and sellers online. See or contribute to our list of scams & stay safe!

Other Databases and Sources

These are the sources and databases used to gather the information listed on this country profile.

08.08.2022/Medical Abortion Commodities Database: https://www.medab.org/advanced-search-multiple-results?country=398&commodity=all&brand=all#multiple-search-result
08.08.2022/National Medicine Authority: http://agence-prd.ansm.sante.fr/php/ecodex/index.php#result
09.08.2022/WHO, Global Abortion Policies Database: https://abortion-policies.srhr.org/country/france/
21.08.2022/European Abortion Policies Atlas: https://europe.ippf.org/resource/european-abortion-policies-atlas
08.12.2022/REDAAS conscientious objection map: https://www.redaas.org.ar/conscientious-objection-map
08.12.2022/Center for Reproductive Rights. The World’s Abortion Laws: https://reproductiverights.org/maps/worlds-abortion-laws/