Travel for abortion, a guide to legal care in another country or state

The most important question is how far along the pregnancy is, because each country and state sets its own limit and counts weeks in its own way. Some laws count from the first day of the last period, others from conception, about two weeks later. Read our guide to abortion gestational limits before you compare places.

• Check the limit in the destination and how it is counted
• Check whether the destination accepts patients from abroad or from other states
• Check whether a waiting period or a second visit is required, and how long you need to stay
• Check the languages spoken by staff
• Leave a margin, because the week at the time of care is what counts, not the week at the time of booking

The legal options checker shows the nearest places where care is legal at your stage, and the world abortion law map gives every country card with its source and verification date.

Many European countries allow abortion on request in the first trimester, and some allow it later in pregnancy. Clinics in several countries treat patients from abroad, often in private facilities. Rules for non-residents differ: some public health systems provide care only to residents or insured people, while private clinics accept patients from anywhere. The country card shows whether foreign patients are accepted, the limit that applies to them and typical costs for non-residents, each with its source.

Clinics usually tell you what to bring when you book. Requirements depend on the country and the clinic.

• An identity document or passport valid for travel
• A health insurance card where it applies, such as the European Health Insurance Card for EU residents in public facilities that accept it
• Any medical documents you already have, such as an ultrasound result or blood group, if the clinic asks for them
• A list of medicines you take and known allergies
• A way to pay, since many clinics ask for payment before care when you are not insured locally

Ask the clinic in advance which language the consultation is held in and whether an interpreter is available.

The total cost includes the care itself, travel, accommodation and sometimes time off work or childcare. The price of care depends on the method, the stage of pregnancy and whether you are treated as a resident or a non-resident. Each country card lists typical price ranges with their source, and our abortion cost guide explains what affects the price. Abortion funds and practical support organizations can help with the cost of care, travel and accommodation.

Clear communication with the medical team matters for consent and aftercare. The directory shows the languages spoken by staff at each clinic, and clinics with the international patients badge describe how they support patients from abroad. Our guide to abortion aftercare explains what follow-up usually involves after you return home.

In many countries, organizations help people reach legal care in another place: they provide information, help with travel and accommodation, contribute to costs or offer emotional support. The directory lists verified organizations with who they help, in which languages and how to contact them. See abortion support and the abortion clinics directory.

Polish law permits abortion only when the pregnancy threatens the life or health of the pregnant person, or when it results from a criminal act, in which case up to 12 weeks. Traveling abroad to receive care that is legal in the destination country is lawful for the person who travels. Article 152 of the Polish Penal Code makes it an offense to help another person end a pregnancy in breach of the Polish law, while the pregnant person herself is not criminally liable for her own abortion. People from Poland often look at care in countries that accept foreign patients in the first trimester or later. Read more in Polish about aborcja w Polsce and aborcja za granicą.

Maltese law permits abortion only in very narrow circumstances, related to a risk to the life of the pregnant person. People from Malta who look at care abroad usually consider countries that accept foreign patients and where a clinic offers care in English. The country cards of possible destinations show the limits and documents that apply to non-residents.

People living in states that ban abortion or set an early limit often travel to a state where care is legal at their stage. Traveling to another state for care that is legal there is generally lawful. Some states have rules about help given to minors, described on the state card. Compare states on the abortion laws by state map, look for clinics that accept patients from other states and contact abortion funds before you book. The National Abortion Federation Hotline, 1-800-772-9100, gives information on care in the United States and Canada.

Brazilian law permits abortion when the pregnancy results from rape, when it is necessary to save the life of the pregnant person and, following a 2012 decision of the Federal Supreme Court, in cases of anencephaly. Care in these situations is provided by designated public health services. Read more in Portuguese about aborto no Brasil. The country cards of other countries show their rules for patients from abroad.

Italian Law 194 of 1978 permits abortion on request in the first 90 days, and later on specific grounds. In practice, access can depend on the region and on how many doctors in a facility declare conscientious objection, so some people travel to another region or abroad to receive care in time. Read more in Italian about the legge 194, and see the country card for official services and verified clinics.

Abortion.io describes legal care in the destination and the law in each place. It does not sell, source or broker medicines and does not describe ways to end a pregnancy outside legal care. Laws about travel and about help given to others differ between countries and states. If you are unsure, an official service or a lawyer in your country can advise you. Medical decisions are made together with a doctor.