Abortion (voluntary termination of pregnancy)

In Luxembourg, any pregnant woman can request an abortion before the end of the 12th week of pregnancy, or before the 14th week of amenorrhoea.

In December 2014, the new law on abortion entered into force. Major changes took effect:

• Abortion is no longer included in the penal code.
• The concept of a 'situation of distress' is no longer included in the new law. Previously, only pregnant women 'in a situation of distress' could access abortion.
• Under the new law, the second psychosocial consultation is no longer compulsory for adult women. Instead, it is replaced by an optional consultation, which may take place either before or after the termination. However, for women under the legal age of majority, a second consultation is still compulsory.