Termination of Pregnancy and Abortion in France
Information on abortion law in France, with details of who to contact and what to do in the event of an unwanted pregnancy. Also information about contraception in France, with the French names for the types of contraception available.
What are the Abortion Laws in France?
Abortion in France (Interruption volontaire de grossesse - IVG) has been legal since 1975, and a woman may have an abortion on request up to 12-weeks after conception.
Two medical consultations are required before the abortion can take place and there is a one-week period of compulsory "reflection" prior to termination, except in an urgent case where this can be reduced to two days. An abortion can only be performed after the 12th week of pregnancy if the woman’s life is in danger.
Single women do not need to provide the agreement of the partner. A non-resident visitor to France may legally have a pregnancy terminated while in France.
Note: A doctor has the right to refuse to perform an abortion but should direct the woman to the family planning organisation or a medical practitioner who can help.
Abortion for Minors in France
Minors (girls under 18 years of age) must meet with a counsellor during the week prior to the procedure and in the days immediately after. It is optional for adults.
Minors do not need parental consent, however they must be accompanied by an adult (person over 18 years of age) throughout the procedure.
France is currently making changes to the law to fix the age of consent at 15. It will be considered rape for an adult to have sex with anyone younger than 15.
Where to get an abortion in France
- Find the nearest family planning clinic on the Planning Familial website
- Card proving blood type (carte de groupe sanguin)
- Medical records (dossier médical)
- Prescriptions (ordonnances) of any ongoing treatment
- Health insurance card (Carte Vitale)
Costs of an abortion in France
Confidentiality
Emergency Contraception/The "Morning-After Pill"
- The Planning Familial website contains more information about emergency contraception (in French)
Family Planning Clinics in France
The family-planning organisation, the French Movement for Family Planning (Mouvement Français Pour le Planning Familial - MFPF) is responsible for providing information on contraception, abortion (avortement), sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS (SIDA). The Planning Familial website (in French) is comprehensive and provides information relevant to all regions of France.
At family planning centres all consultations, examinations, tests and contraceptives are free of charge, regardless of age.
References
- Service public – Information from the French government about abortion law in France
- Service public – Information from the French government about contraception in France
- Planning Familial – French Family Planning Service