Home > Abortion in Finland

Under most circumstances, the approval of two physicians was deemed necessary to approve an abortion. Only one is necessary in cases of under-age or over-age pregnancies or when the mother has already had four children. Women seeking abortions must be provided with information detailing the significance and effects of the procedure. Under the 1970 law, abortions were to be performed before twelve weeks of pregnancy. An amendment in 1978 allowed abortions to be performed at any point in cases of disease or physical defect in the mother. An 1985 bill allowed abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy for underage mothers and up to the 24th week if an amniocentesis or ultrasound found serious impairment in the fetus.

Abortions are provided free-of-charge in hospitals. It is illegal to perform abortions in clinics, though doctors are empowered to provide abortions outside of hospitals in dire circumstances.