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), and the decision is yours: no partner or relative has to approve it. 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 — the limit most people miss. If you are resident in Sweden, the abortion is paid by the region's healthcare, so you pay only the ordinary patient fee. A non-resident generally pays the cost themselves, while asylum seekers and undocumented people have a right to abortion care under special rules.
📋 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
The punishment never falls on the pregnant person — they are never punished, in any situation. It is whoever performs the procedure outside the law, for example without authorisation or past the time limit, who commits a crime: fines or prison. So the practical consequence for you is not a penalty but a closed door: after week 18 no lawful provider can help you without permission from the National Board of Health and Welfare, and permission is never granted if the foetus is judged viable. If you are not resident in Sweden you also generally pay the whole cost of care yourself.
📎 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, with no reason needed. 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.
Do I have to give a reason?
No. Up to and including week 18 you need give no reason — the decision is entirely your own under the Abortion Act. Only after week 18 are special grounds required, and then it is the National Board that assesses them.
What does an abortion cost?
If you are resident in Sweden the abortion is paid by the region's healthcare, and you pay only the ordinary patient fee, which is low or nothing at all in Region Stockholm. A non-resident generally pays the cost themselves.
Can I have an abortion after week 18?
Only if the National Board of Health and Welfare grants permission and special grounds exist. Abortion is never allowed if the foetus is judged viable, and a provider who acts outside the law risks fines or prison.
Can someone else stop my abortion?
No. The decision is your own, and no partner, parent or relative has to approve it. Healthcare cannot demand anyone else consent either, for an abortion up to and including week 18.
🔎 Common searches
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