Abortion law in United Kingdom
What the law in United Kingdom allows, under which conditions and where legal care is provided, with the law it is based on, a link to the source and the date we last verified it.
The law at a glance
- Status
- Legal on broad social or economic grounds
- Gestational limit
- Up to 24 weeks since the last period; in Northern Ireland on request up to 12 weeks
- Grounds
- Two doctors certify that continuing the pregnancy would risk the woman's physical or mental health, which covers most requests; no limit for a grave risk to life or a serious fetal condition
- Waiting period
- None
- Parental consent for minors
- Not required for a minor judged able to decide
- Counseling requirement
- Offered
- Law and source
- Abortion Act 1967; Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020
www.legislation.gov.uk - Verified on
Status
- Legal on request up to a gestational limit
- Legal on broad social or economic grounds
- Legal only on specific grounds
- Prohibited
Gestational limit
- Counted from the first day of the last period
- Counted from conception
- No gestational limit set in the law
Waiting period
- No waiting period
Parental consent for minors
- Not required
Counseling requirement
- Mandatory counseling
- Counseling offered, not mandatory
Telehealth
- Medication abortion by telehealth is permitted under national rules
- Medication abortion by telehealth is not permitted
What the law says, in plain language
This summary describes the law as it is written and as official health services apply it. Where a court decision or official guidance changes how the law works in practice, it is listed with its source.
Gestational limit
The latest stage of pregnancy at which the law permits abortion on request or on each ground, and the way the law counts the weeks. Read how weeks are counted in our guide to abortion gestational limits.
- Gestational limit
- Up to 24 weeks since the last period; in Northern Ireland on request up to 12 weeks
Grounds
The reasons the law accepts, the stage up to which each applies and who confirms them.
- Grounds
- Two doctors certify that continuing the pregnancy would risk the woman's physical or mental health, which covers most requests; no limit for a grave risk to life or a serious fetal condition
Steps before care
Any waiting period, counseling requirement, written consent or medical certificate the law requires before care can be provided.
- Waiting period
- None
- Counseling requirement
- Offered
Minors
Whether a person under the age of majority needs consent or notification of a parent or guardian, and any alternative route the law provides, such as a court or a health authority.
- Parental consent for minors
- Not required for a minor judged able to decide
Providers
Which professionals and which facilities may provide care, and whether conscientious objection is regulated.
Cost and insurance
Costs depend on the method, the stage of pregnancy and whether care is provided in a public or a private facility. Each range shows its source. Read our abortion cost guide and see abortion funds for help paying.
Typical cost range
Free on the NHS for residents; independent providers publish self-pay prices, roughly 500 to 2,000 GBP depending on the stage
Source BPAS and MSI Reproductive Choices published prices
- Covered by public health insurance
- Covered for residents only
- Partly covered
- Not covered
Public services
Official health services that provide care or information, taken from public registries and official websites.
-
NHS abortion services
Hospital service- Source
- www.nhs.uk
- Verified on
Verified clinics and organizations
Clinics and support organizations whose information comes from official registries or their own published information. Every entry shows its source and verification date.
-
BPAS
Clinic- Methods offered
- Both methods
- Languages spoken by staff
- English
- Source
- www.bpas.org
- Verified on
-
NUPAS
Clinic- Methods offered
- Both methods
- Languages spoken by staff
- English
- Source
- www.nupas.co.uk
- Verified on
-
MSI Reproductive Choices UK
Clinic- Methods offered
- Both methods
- Languages spoken by staff
- English
- Source
- www.msichoices.org.uk
- Verified on
Travel notes
Information for people coming from another country: whether facilities accept patients from abroad, which documents are usually requested, typical costs for non-residents and the languages spoken. Our travel for abortion guide explains how to plan legal care abroad.
- Accepts patients from abroad
- Independent clinics in England accept patients from abroad; early medication abortion can include a telephone consultation
- Languages spoken by staff
- English
Law source and verification
Laws change. We check this card against its sources regularly and whenever a change is announced. If you see an error, write to [email protected] and read our sources and editorial policy.
- Law
- Abortion Act 1967; Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020
- Official text
- www.legislation.gov.uk
- Compared with
- WHO Global Abortion Policies DatabaseCenter for Reproductive Rights
- Verified on
Questions about the law in United Kingdom
Is abortion legal in United Kingdom?
The status at the top of this card gives the answer in one line, and the sections below explain the limit, the grounds and the steps the law requires.
Until which week can I get an abortion in United Kingdom?
The gestational limit field shows the week and how the law counts it. If you are past the limit, the checker shows the nearest jurisdictions where care is legal at your stage.
Can people from other countries get care in United Kingdom?
The travel notes say whether facilities accept patients from abroad, which documents they usually ask for and how costs differ for non-residents.
Is this card current?
The verified on date shows when we last checked the card against the official text. When the law changes, we update the card and publish the change in our abortion law news.
Is this legal or medical advice?
No. This card is general information about the law. Medical decisions are made together with a doctor.