Abortion in Greece

Abortion in Greece has been fully legalized since 1986, when Law 1609/1986 was passed effective from 3 July 1986. Partial legalization of abortion in Greece was passed in Law 821 in 1978 that provided for the legal termination of a pregnancy, with no time limitation, in the event of a threat to the health or life of the person carrying the fetus. This law also allowed for termination up to the 12th week of pregnancy due to psychiatric indications and to the 20th week due to fetal pathology. Following the passage of the 1986 law, abortions can be performed on-demand in hospitals for people whose pregnancies have not exceeded 12 weeks. In the case of rape or incest, an abortion can occur as late as 19 weeks, and as late as 24 weeks in the case of fetal abnormalities. In case of inevitable risk to the life of the pregnant person or a risk of serious and continuous damage to their physical or mental health, termination of pregnancy is legal any time before birth. Minors must get written permission from a parent or guardian before being allowed an abortion.

Law 1609 also specifies that the abortion must be performed by a medical practitioner with a specialty in gynecology or obstetrics and with the assistance of an anesthesiologist; that the pregnant person is informed of the consequences of terminating the pregnancy, including the state that the state can provide some protection for the parent and child, as well as other family planning topics; that the parent's health is examined prior to the abortion; and that the hospital or private clinic where the abortion is performed meets particular specifications.

As of 2007, the abortion rate was 7.2 abortions per 1000 people aged 15–44 years.

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