Can I get an abortion?
Yes, a voluntary termination of pregnancy is allowed in Belgium, but within clear conditions. On request, abortion is possible up to 12 weeks after conception (14 weeks of pregnancy), under the law of 15 October 2018. A mandatory 6-day reflection period applies between your first request and the procedure, which is carried out by a physician in a care institution with an information and counselling service. Beyond 12 weeks it is possible only for serious medical reasons (danger to your health, or a very serious, incurable condition of the unborn child), with a second physician's agreement. A physician or nurse may refuse, but must then refer you to another physician or a centre. Note: there are proposals to extend the limit to 18 weeks and shorten the reflection period, but as of July 2026 they are not adopted — the 2018 rules apply.
📋 The rules
- On request, allowed up to 12 weeks after conception (14 weeks of pregnancy) — law of 15 October 2018
- Mandatory 6-day reflection period between the first request and the procedure
- By a physician, in a care institution with an information and counselling service
- Beyond 12 weeks, only for serious medical reasons, with a second physician's agreement
- A physician may refuse (conscientious objection), but must refer you
- As of July 2026, no reform: the 18-week/48-hour proposals are not in force
🔓 Exceptions
- If your first consultation is less than 6 days before the deadline, the deadline is extended accordingly
- The institution must inform you about your rights, support, adoption and psychosocial counselling
- A physician may refuse on conscientious grounds, but must say so at the first visit, refer you on and transfer your file
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Within the legal conditions, abortion is not punishable — neither for the woman nor for the physician. Someone who terminates a pregnancy outside those conditions on a consenting woman remains punishable, and someone who impedes access to a centre can be prosecuted too (art. 3 of the law). The practical trap is the calendar: the 12-week limit and the 6-day reflection period must both be respected. This topic can be sensitive; with questions you can turn to your doctor or a family-planning centre.
📎 Official sources
- FPS Public Health · voluntary termination of pregnancy →
- ejustice · law of 15 October 2018 (abortion) →
- RTBF · status of the abortion reform (23 June 2026) →
❓ Frequently asked
Until when is abortion possible on request?
Up to 12 weeks after conception, so 14 weeks of pregnancy, with a 6-day reflection period. After that, only for serious medical reasons and with a second physician's agreement — for instance a danger to your health.
Do I have to observe a reflection period?
Yes, a mandatory 6-day reflection period applies between your first request and the procedure. If your first consultation falls too close to the deadline, that deadline is extended accordingly.
Who performs it, and where?
A physician, in a care institution with an information and counselling service. That institution must inform you beforehand about your rights, available support, adoption and psychosocial counselling.
Can a physician refuse?
Yes, on conscientious grounds. But the physician must tell you at the first visit, refer you to another physician or a centre and transfer your file — refusing without referring you on is not allowed.
Is the limit changing to 18 weeks?
There are proposals to extend the limit and shorten the reflection period, but as of July 2026 they are not adopted. The 2018 law's rules (12 weeks, 6 days) still apply in full.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
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