Can I have an abortion (termination)?
Yes, a right within the legal deadlines. Voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVE) is legal in Spain and guaranteed free in public healthcare. Up to week 14 of gestation it's available at the woman's request, with no need to justify it. After week 14, only on medical grounds: serious risk to the woman's life or health, or serious fetal anomalies. Organic Law 1/2023 made key changes: from age 16 a woman can have an abortion without her legal guardians' consent, and the 3-day reflection period and mandatory prior information on maternity support were removed.
📋 The rules
- Up to week 14: abortion at the woman's request
- After 14: only on medical grounds
- Free in public healthcare
- From age 16: no parental consent (LO 1/2023)
- Reflection period and mandatory prior information removed
🔓 Exceptions
- Serious or life-incompatible fetal anomalies: no 14-week limit, with a medical opinion
- Healthcare staff's conscientious objection: regulated, without blocking access
- Reinforced confidentiality, also for minors
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Abortion within the legal framework is a right: no sanction. The law reinforces confidentiality and guarantees the service in public healthcare, including close to home. Coercing, harassing or dissuading women outside clinics has been made a crime. Staff's conscientious objection is regulated but can't block access. For information, go to your health centre or the sexual and reproductive health services.
📎 Official sources
- BOE · Organic Law 1/2023 (sexual and reproductive health and IVE) →
- Ministry of Health · Voluntary termination of pregnancy →
- Administración · Voluntary termination of pregnancy →
❓ Frequently asked
Until when can you have an abortion in Spain?
Up to week 14 of gestation at the woman's request, with no need to justify it. After that, only on medical grounds: serious risk to the woman's health or life, or serious fetal anomalies.
Is abortion free?
Yes. Voluntary termination is guaranteed free in public healthcare, as close as possible to the woman's home. The law reinforces the confidentiality of the service.
Can minors have an abortion without their parents?
Since the 2023 reform, from age 16 a woman can terminate her pregnancy without her legal guardians' consent. For under-16s, consent-by-representation rules apply, assessing her maturity.
Is there a reflection period?
No. Organic Law 1/2023 removed the 3-day reflection period and the duty to provide prior information on maternity support. The woman can confirm her decision without those requirements.
And conscientious objection?
Directly involved healthcare staff can object, and there's an objectors' register. But objection can't block access: the administration must guarantee the abortion in public healthcare.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “abortion deadlines spain 14 weeks”
- “ive free public healthcare”
- “abortion minors 16 no parents”
- “abortion law 1/2023 reform”
- “abortion medical grounds”
- “abortion reflection period removed”