Although relatively moderate abortion laws have been established in most European countries, it is particularly the small (city) states, along with Poland, that continue to treat women with the desire for an abortion restrictively. What do the differences in Europe look like?
From Total Ban to Elective Abortion After Counseling
Let’s first look at the more liberal variants of abortion law, as they apply in Germany, for example. An abortion is generally possible if, on the one hand, regarding the social component, the abortion does not fall within the period after the 18th – 24th week of pregnancy and, on the other hand, mandatory counseling has taken place. The time frame regarding the week of pregnancy varies from state to state. With these guidelines, the European states are far from the modus operandi of the former “Eastern Bloc,” where abortion was a common and uncontrolled form of “delayed” contraception.
The other extreme to the more liberal regulations in Europe is Andorra. In the Pyrenean state, abortion is generally prohibited, regardless of whether any of the criteria listed across Europe apply, which are:
- social indication
- danger to life
- danger to health
- pregnancy resulting from sexual violence
Poland is the only country in Europe that has taken a step backward. In 2020, the right to abortion on request was abolished. Only endangerment and sexual violence are still recognized as criteria. Our graphic illustrates which restrictions apply in which states. It is noteworthy that San Marino falls out of the group of restrictive small states and aligns itself with its big brother Italy.
The fear of large parts of the population that with the election of Giorgia Meloni, pregnancy rights would be severely restricted again, similar to Poland, has not been confirmed at least until March 2025.
Regional Distribution of Restrictions
A look at the social background of the city-states could provide the answer. All listed states either have Catholicism as a legally established state religion, for example, Liechtenstein, Malta, or Monaco, enshrined in the constitution or give the Catholic Church special status. The only outlier is the Danish government of the Faroe Islands, which, unlike its mother country, also has restrictive abortion laws. The majority of Faroese belong to the Evangelical Lutheran State Church.
Interesting in the analysis of the possible religious background for the stricter regulation, however, are two things. There are indeed states with an enormous emphasis on Catholicism, for example, Italy, Croatia, the Republic of Ireland, or the Iberian Peninsula, that have joined the Central and Northern European mainstream. The dominance of the Catholic Church cannot therefore be the main cause. Secondly, US presidential elections have shown for decades that for the group of Evangelicals, abortion is the number one issue in deciding how to vote.
We can assume that the question of faith is mainly decisive for the legal regulations.
Future of Abortion in Europe
The example of Italy shows that even a government considered extremely conservative does not immediately seek to change laws on this issue to turn back the clock. Probably little will change in the status quo in the near future, especially in countries with very restrictive legislation. Liechtenstein and Monaco are only quasi-democratic with a state religion, while in other countries, the conservative Catholic Church also remains at the center of political affairs.
