Home > Abortion in the Netherlands

The debate over legalization reached the forefront of public debate in the 1970s as many other Western European countries liberalized their laws. The Staten-Generaal, however, was unable to reach a consensus between those opposing legalization, those in favor of allowing abortion on demand and those favoring a compromise measure. A far-reaching abortion law was passed in 1981 that allowed abortion on demand at any point between conception and viability, subject to counseling and a five-day waiting period. Abortions after the first trimester must be performed in a hospital.