The legal framework
Organic Law 2/2010 on sexual and reproductive health and voluntary termination of pregnancy introduced the time-limit system, and Organic Law 1/2023 extended it: it abolished the three-day reflection period and the compulsory information envelope, restored to 16- and 17-year-olds the right to decide without their parents, created a register of conscientious objectors and obliged the public health service to guarantee the procedure in its own centres. The Constitutional Court upheld the 2010 law in February 2023. Up to 14 weeks of gestation on request; up to 22 weeks for serious risk to the woman's life or health or serious fetal anomalies, with a medical opinion; without limit for anomalies incompatible with life or extremely serious incurable disease, with a clinical committee's opinion. About 100,000 abortions a year, three quarters in accredited private clinics under contract.
For British women in Spain the rules are close to home — a 14-week limit on request against 24 weeks under the Abortion Act's broad grounds, free care, medication abortion in the early weeks — but the organisation is different: most procedures are performed in accredited private clinics (ACAI network) to which the public system refers and pays, and in several regions almost all of them. Tourists and residents without a Spanish health card are entitled to the procedure in the public system, though in practice a privately paid clinic (300 to 500 euros) is often faster for a visitor.
The 14-week limit is counted from the first day of the last period, as in the UK, and confirmed by ultrasound. After 14 weeks, only the medical grounds apply — narrower than in the UK, where the 24-week limit covers most requests — so a British resident who is past 14 weeks may need to travel to the UK, where the NHS treats returning residents, or to the Netherlands.
Key points
| Time limit | Up to week 14 of gestation, on request, without justification |
|---|---|
| Up to week 22 | Serious risk to the woman's life or health, or serious fetal anomalies, with a medical opinion |
| No limit | Fetal anomalies incompatible with life or extremely serious incurable disease, with a clinical committee's opinion |
| Minors | From 16 they decide alone; before, consent of parents or guardians |
| Reflection | Abolished in 2023 |
| Conscientious objection | Individual, prior and in writing, in a register kept by each region; it cannot prevent the procedure |
| Methods | Medication (mifepristone and misoprostol) up to week 9-10; aspiration or curettage afterwards |
| Figures | About 100,000 abortions a year, three quarters in accredited private clinics |
In practice
- Go to the health centre, a sexual and reproductive health centre or directly to an accredited clinic: referral is compulsory and free throughout Spain for anyone registered with the health service.
- Dating ultrasound and consultation; medication abortion may be done partly at home, with a follow-up check.
- The regions organise the service very unevenly: in several almost all abortions are referred to accredited private clinics, and in some provinces you have to travel; ask for the referral in writing, because the law obliges the administration to guarantee the procedure within a reasonable time and, failing that, to reimburse it.
- Women without a health card, including foreigners in an irregular situation and tourists, are entitled to the procedure in the public system; a British visitor may prefer to pay an accredited clinic directly (300 to 500 euros up to week 12) for speed — the UK GHIC card does not cover it.
- Contraception is prescribed at the same consultation; the emergency pill is sold without prescription in pharmacies and is free at public centres.
Cost and coverage
Free for any woman treated by the public health system, including referral to a contracted clinic. In a private clinic at your own expense, between 300 and 500 euros up to week 12 and more afterwards.
Recent changes
The 2023 law also introduced sick leave for incapacitating periods, free distribution of emergency contraception in public centres and compulsory training of health staff. The regions are slow to comply with the duty to perform abortions in public hospitals; in 2024 more than 80 % were still carried out in private centres.
Where to go
- Health centre or sexual and reproductive health centre of your region: free referral.
- Association of Accredited Clinics for the Termination of Pregnancy (ACAI): list of clinics by province, many with English-speaking staff.
- State Federation of Family Planning (FPFE): information and guidance.
- Health information line of each region (112 for emergencies); in the UK, BPAS and MSI for women returning past the Spanish limit.
Worth knowing
The 14-week limit is counted from the first day of the last period, not from conception, and clinics require the ultrasound to confirm it. In regions that refer almost everything to private providers, ask for the referral in writing: the law obliges the administration to guarantee the procedure within a reasonable time and, if it fails, to reimburse the operation. Past 14 weeks the Spanish grounds are narrower than the British ones.
Frequently asked questions
I am a British tourist in Spain and need an abortion — is it possible?
Yes. Any woman in Spain is entitled to a termination up to 14 weeks; the public system must treat you, but as a visitor without a Spanish health card the quickest route is an accredited private clinic (the ACAI network lists them by province, most with English-speaking staff), at 300 to 500 euros up to 12 weeks, with medication abortion possible up to 9-10 weeks. Bring your passport and, if you have one, a dating scan.
What if I am past 14 weeks?
In Spain only the medical grounds remain (up to 22 weeks for serious risk to health or fetal anomalies). A British resident may return to the UK, where the NHS treats returning residents up to 24 weeks under the Abortion Act's broad grounds, or travel to the Netherlands; the Spanish health centre and the ACAI clinics will explain the options honestly. Each day counts.
Do I need my parents' consent at 17?
No. Since 2023, 16- and 17-year-olds decide alone in Spain, as they can in the UK under the Gillick principle; under 16, a parent or guardian must consent unless the court allows otherwise. The procedure is confidential and free.
Official sources and links
- Organic Law 2/2010 (consolidated text) — BOE
- Ministry of Health — voluntary termination of pregnancy — annual data and regulations
- ACAI — accredited clinics — directory of centres
- Administración General del Estado — administracion.gob.es — official portal of Spanish public services, with pages in English
- Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) — Spanish legislation, official and consolidated texts
- British Consulates in Spain — gov.uk — living in Spain guide, consular help, lists of English-speaking lawyers