Am I allowed to have an abortion in Sweden?
Yes — you decide yourself on an abortion up to and including pregnancy week 18, with no reason needed. This follows from the Abortion Act (1974:595). After week 18 you need permission from the National Board of Health and Welfare and special grounds, and abortion is never allowed if the foetus is judged viable. If you are resident in Sweden, the abortion is paid by the region's healthcare, so you pay only the ordinary patient fee (low or none in Region Stockholm). A non-resident generally pays the cost themselves. The decision is yours — no one else has to approve it.
📋 The rules
- Your own right to decide on abortion up to and including week 18
- After week 18: permission from the National Board is required
- Abortion is never allowed if the foetus is viable
- Resident in Sweden: only the ordinary patient fee
- The decision is your own — no one else need approve
🔓 Exceptions
- After week 18, approval from the National Board of Health is required
- Non-residents / visitors generally pay the cost themselves
- Asylum seekers and undocumented people have a right to abortion care under special rules
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Performing an abortion outside the law (e.g. by an unauthorised provider or past the time limit) is a crime for the provider — fines or prison. The pregnant person is never punished.
📎 Official sources
- Abortion Act (1974:595) · Riksdagen →
- 1177 · The Abortion Act →
- National Board of Health and Welfare · Abortion →
❓ Frequently asked
Up to which week can I have an abortion?
You decide yourself up to and including pregnancy week 18. After that you need permission from the National Board.
Do I have to give a reason?
No. Up to week 18 you need give no reason — the decision is your own.
What does an abortion cost?
For a resident in Sweden it is paid by healthcare; you pay only the ordinary patient fee.
Can I have an abortion after week 18?
Only if the National Board grants permission and special grounds exist, and never if the foetus is viable.
Can someone else stop my abortion?
No. The decision is yours. No partner or relative has to approve it.
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