Healthcare

Abortion in Luxembourg: regulations and services

Abortion is a deeply personal decision that some women may consider for a variety of reasons. If you're looking for support or information, this article outlines the options available in Luxembourg and elsewhere in Europe. It also explains the legal status of abortion in Luxembourg, why it's allowed and how to find the help you need.

Table of content

Abortion in Luxembourg is completely legal and accessible to all women, without exception. Keep reading to find all the details of the process: who has the right to have an abortion, at what stage of the pregnancy, where to go, and what to do if the legal period has already passed.

Overview of the abortion process in Luxembourg

Women all over the world face the problem of unwanted pregnancy, and Luxembourg is no exception. The abortion law in Luxembourg supports the right of a woman to decide about this issue independently. And if she does not want to give birth to a child, she can have an induced abortion in one of the clinics.

Induced abortion can be divided into two types:

intentional termination for medical reasons, which may be carried out if the health or life of the woman or child is at risk.
intentional termination of pregnancy for nonmedical reasons is an abortion at the request of the woman herself.

A spontaneous abortion or miscarriage is the termination of pregnancy that occurs naturally or accidentally, without intervention, and often against the wishes of the pregnant woman.

There are two types of intentional abortions: medical abortion with medications or surgical abortion.

Medical abortion

Medical abortion is indicated in the early stages. It takes place in two stages. In the first stage, the woman takes a pill that contains mifepristone. The drug blocks the production of hormones necessary for the development of pregnancy and causes the endometrium to shed, just as it happens during menstruation. Most patients do not experience any side effects from this drug, but the pill should only be taken at a medical centre.

The second pill, which contains misoprostol, causes contractions of the uterus and the expulsion of the fetus from it naturally. The second pill is taken between 24 and 48 hours after the first, and it begins to work approximately 12 hours after taking it. During this time, the woman may experience pain and bleeding, which can vary from mild to more severe.

Medical abortion is as non-invasive as possible. It can be carried out in a private office of a doctor who has an agreement with a hospital that has a department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and round-the-clock emergency facilities, or at a Planning Familial centre.

If the woman wishes, it can also be carried out at home, but it must be under the supervision of a qualified specialist.

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Healthcare system in Luxembourg

Surgical abortion

If the 7-week period is missed, the woman will be offered a surgical abortion. It is performed in a clinic under local anaesthesia. General anaesthesia is also possible at the woman's request. Surgical abortion consists of a vacuum or suction aspiration, and possibly curettage of the uterine cavity if suction aspiration does not work. The procedure takes 15–20 minutes, including anaesthesia and necessary manipulations. Additional time will also be required to monitor the woman's condition before and after the abortion.

Surgical abortion is permitted between 7 and 12 weeks.

Legal framework on abortion in Luxembourg

According to the Deliberate Pregnancy Termination Act, no one has the right to influence a woman in her decision to have an abortion. Luxembourg Healthcare workers must assist her at all stages of the procedure. However, according to Article 13 of the Luxembourg Law, a doctor may refuse to perform an abortion, but in this case he is obliged to refer the patient to another specialist.

Abortion is a confidential medical procedure. It is protected by doctor-patient confidentiality, just like any other medical record. In 2023 the number of abortions in Luxembourg was 713.

Statistic on abortions in Luxembourg in 2023

113

abortions are performed for every 1,000 live births

94%

of abortions are performed before 9 weeks

47%

of women who have had an abortion are 25–34 years old

22%

are 20–24 years old

44%

of women lived in Luxembourg

36%

already had at least one child.

Advancing understanding of women's rights and abortion

November 15, 1978

A law was passed in the Grand Duchy allowing abortions, provided that the woman was “in a state of distress”. Only a doctor could make this determination, which significantly limited women’s rights.

December 2014

The 1978 law was amended. From now on, abortions are performed at the request of the woman herself, subject to several conditions.

Current legalization

Any woman who has reached the age of majority and who is a member of the social security system in the Grand Duchy can apply for an abortion up to 12 weeks. To do this, you need to contact one of the medical centers or clinics licensed by the Ministry of Health and Social Security.

Women who are not members of the Luxembourg social security system will be referred to the appropriate services by their health professionals.

Medical centers

Name	Address	Phone	Website
Planning familial - Centre Dr M.-P. Molitor-Peffer	6-10, rue de la Fonderie, L–1531 Luxembourg	+352 48 59 76	planningfamilial.lu
Esch-sur-AlzettePlanning familial - Centre Mercure	2-4, rue Ernie Reitz, L-4151 Esch-sur-Alzette	+352 54 51 51	planningfamilial.lu

Clinics

Name	Address	Phone	Website
Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg	4, rue Barblé, L–1210 Luxembourg	+352 44 11 11	chl.lu
Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch	Rue Emile Mayrisch, L–4240 Esch-sur-Alzette	+352 5711-1	chem.lu
Centre Hospitalier du Nord	120, avenue Salentiny, L–9080 Ettelbruck	+352 8166-1	chdn.lu

A three-day period for reflection is mandatory.

A medical abortion can be performed by a doctor who is not a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, provided that he or she has a license to practice medicine in the Grand Duchy. Surgical abortions are only permitted to be performed by gynecologists.

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How to find a good gynecologist

Read article

In practice, there are often non-standard situations when a woman needs to have an abortion at a later stage, or she has not yet reached adulthood.

Post-12 weeks abortion

Abortions after 12 weeks are not illegal if two qualified doctors give the woman a written opinion that there is a serious threat to the health or life of the pregnant woman or the fetus.

Minors abortions

Minors under 18 also have the right to an abortion. Emancipated minors (no longer subject to parental authority) have the same rights as adults under the law.

However, an unemancipated pregnant minor must obtain the consent of her parents or legal guardian. If the minor wants to keep the fact of the abortion a secret from her parents, then she must be accompanied by a trusted adult of her choice throughout the procedure.

In addition, a pregnant minor must contact the psychosocial support service and receive:

information about alternatives to the decision to perform a Voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP);
information about the rights and assistance to the family and children guaranteed by law;
support and advice on how to find help to resolve any psychological and social problems in connection with the VTP.

After contacting the psychosocial support service, the pregnant woman must confirm in writing her decision to have a voluntary abortion and consent to the procedure. This written confirmation must be signed by a parent, guardian or trusted representative.

All women who are faced with the problem of unplanned pregnancy can get help on one of the hotlines for pregnancy and abortion:

Abortion costs for residents are fully covered by CNS health insurance.

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Abortion laws in other countries in Europe

Conditions and access to abortion may vary across Europe, although all European countries grant women the right to abortion.

For example, in Poland, abortion is only permitted in cases of serious danger to the mother's life or rape. In Portugal, women bear all the costs of an abortion, and they must also undergo a thorough psychological examination to initiate the procedure.

In Romania, although abortion is legal, most public clinics do not perform it due to conscientious objections from doctors.

Country	Legal framework	Conditions
Luxembourg	Abortion is legal up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.	Mandatory counseling and a 3-day reflection period.
Belgium	Abortion in Belgium is legal up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.	Mandatory counseling and a 6-day reflection period.
France	Abortion in France is legal up to 14 weeks of pregnancy.	Before an abortion, 2 consultations are required. There is no thinking period.
Germany	Abortion in Germany is legal up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.	Three visits to the doctor or clinic and a 3-day reflection period.
Netherlands	Abortion in the Netherlands is legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.	No doctor's referral required and no cooling-off period (from January 2023).

The timeframes for legal abortions may also vary across the EU, so if a woman has not had time to terminate her pregnancy in Luxembourg, she can travel to a country where it is possible. For example, in the Netherlands, abortions are possible up to 24 weeks and there is no reconsideration period.

Legal Implications

Luxembourg residents seeking abortions abroad must adhere to the legal frameworks of the respective countries.

Access to Services

In most European countries, access to abortion services for non-residents is possible, but the costs will not be covered by the health insurance. Due to several reasons, many women go abroad for termination of their pregnancy to England, Spain, or the Netherlands. One of the reasons is that in certain parts (mostly rural) access to services is not easy. Many qualified specialists have conscientious objections, and often there are cases where women just realize too late they are pregnant. Having problems to find the correct help and access to the services can mean that they are over the legal limit of 12 weeks before they can have an abortion.

Support Networks

To help women across Europe, there are organizations that assist with cross-border abortion access. It can be difficult for women in some parts of Europe to get access to abortion services. They provide services like information, funding, translation services, creative problem solving, and accommodation in volunteer homes to name a few things.

If you're looking for financial or logistical support for abortion care, or simply trustworthy information, the following organisations may be able to help. Each offers unique services and resources, whether it's funding, practical help or advice for individuals across Europe.

Supporting Abortions
For Everyone (SAFE) SAFE is an organisation that raises funds to support women who need it for an abortion. They are based in the Netherlands and work together with other organisations to help women. Next to that, they try to share as much as possible information to the people who are looking for it.
Abortion Without Borders
Abortion without borders is also an organization based in the Netherlands but they are mainly focused on supporting women in Poland who needs funding and access to an abortion. They provide information, help, funding and work together with other organisations in 4 different countries
Abortion Support Network
Abortion Support Network is connected to the above-mentioned Abortion without border organization. They are based in the UK and although they will help any woman in need, their focus is on Ireland. They give information, funding, and help to the women who require it.

All organisations mentioned above don't ask questions about where and when a woman got pregnant to the women that need help, the organisations will help in any case as much as they can.

How to access abortion services in Luxembourg

A woman who decides to have an abortion should know that she will need to go through several steps before the procedure.

First visit to the gynecologist

This must be done at least 3 days before the abortion to comply with the deadlines established by law. During the visit, the doctor will conduct an examination, which includes studying any existing diseases of the patient, including gynecological ones. In addition, the woman will be sent for a blood test and given a package of documents.

a certificate confirming pregnancy, describing the position of the fetus, and indicating the exact period;
information on possible abortion methods, their risks, and side effects;
a list of licensed clinics and centres if the doctor who conducted the examination is not able to perform an abortion.

Appointment for carrying out the abortion

If the abortion is medical, the woman will receive the first pill during this appointment. She can take the second pill at home at the specified time. If the abortion is surgical, the pregnant woman will remain in the clinic for some time.

Follow-up appointment after abortion

This appointment should not be neglected, as during this appointment the doctor will check the general state of health, make sure that the procedure went without complications and the embryo was completely removed and recommend contraception. In case of medical abortion, it is recommended to visit the doctor between 14 and 21 days after taking the first pill.

Whichever method of termination of pregnancy a woman chooses, she can be sure that doctors in Luxembourg will do everything possible to ensure that the abortion is minimally traumatic for her.