The Mississippi abortion law at the center of the Supreme Court case that may overturn the ruling in Roe v. Wade, though restrictive by some U.S. standards, is not extreme compared to many European abortion laws.
As the Supreme Court contemplates Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which could lead to a ruling in the spring that undermines the 1973 decision that enshrined abortion access as a constitutional right, unfettered legal access to the procedure at any stage of pregnancy is not the norm even in progressive, western European countries.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT DOBBS, THE BIGGEST TEST OF ABORTION RIGHTS IN YEARS
Mississippi’s ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy would fit right in across the pond.
Germany
Abortion is technically illegal in all cases, but under some circumstances may be performed within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Until 2019, it was illegal for doctors to advertise that they performed the procedure.
Nordic countries
In Denmark, Norway, and Finland, abortions are available on demand only within the first 12 weeks. Past this time frame, a woman can apply for approval for an abortion from a committee that only grants permission for compelling health reasons. In Sweden, the same applies after 18 weeks. Iceland allows abortion up until the 22nd week, after which women must seek permission from a committee.
France
Abortion is legal up to 12 weeks on demand. A woman seeking an abortion past the first trimester needs the approval of two doctors, who will only grant permission if they determine that continuing the pregnancy would cause grave, permanent damage to her mental or physical health or that the baby will suffer from an incurable illness or deformity.
Spain
Abortion is available on demand until the 14th week of pregnancy and until the 22nd week if the mother’s health or the baby’s viability is at serious risk.
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Poland and the microstates
In Poland and the very small microstates of Malta, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Vatican City, Monaco, and Andorra, abortion is banned in almost every case. In Poland, abortion is available only in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is in danger. These nations are influenced by Catholic teaching on abortion.
The Netherlands and the United Kingdom
Twenty-four weeks, or the gestational age of viability outside the womb, is the cutoff for most abortions in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Abortion is available on demand in the Netherlands, but in the U.K., a woman needs the approval of two doctors. After 24 weeks, doctors will perform abortions only for “serious medical reasons.”
