Abortion in Luxembourg

{{short description|none}}

Abortion in Luxembourg was liberalized on 15 November 1978.{{cite book |title=Abortion Policies: A Global Review |url=https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion/doc/luxemb.doc |access-date=2 January 2013 |year=2002 |publisher=United Nations Population Division |volume=2 |format=DOC }}

Before the end of 12 weeks after conception (14 weeks after the last menstrual period),{{Cite web|url=http://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/loi/2014/12/17/n2/jo|title = Loi du 17 décembre 2014 portant modification 1) du Code pénal et 2) de la loi du 15 novembre 1978 relative à l'information sexuelle, à la prévention de l'avortement clandestin et à la réglementation de l'interruption volontaire de grossesse. - Legilux}} a woman who determines herself to be "in distress" can obtain an abortion after two consultations with a doctor, one medical and one psycho-social, and a waiting period of at least three days. An abortion at later stages can only be obtained when two doctors certify there is a danger to the mother or fetus. Under-age patients must be accompanied by a trusted adult to the meetings and the procedure itself. Abortions may be performed in hospitals, clinics, and a doctor's surgery.{{cite news | title = Restrictions on abortion in Luxembourg to be relaxed | newspaper = Luxemburger Wort | location = Luxembourg | date = 23 November 2012 | url = http://www.wort.lu/en/view/restrictions-on-abortion-in-luxembourg-to-be-relaxed-50af1938e4b0246412999677 | access-date = 2 January 2013 | archive-date = 22 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222211341/http://www.wort.lu/en/view/restrictions-on-abortion-in-luxembourg-to-be-relaxed-50af1938e4b0246412999677 | url-status = dead }}

Before reforms passed in 2012, only a doctor could determine if a woman was "in distress". Abortions in the first twelve weeks were only permitted in the event of a physical or mental health threat to the mother, a serious risk that the child would be born with a serious disease or serious defects, or a pregnancy resulting from rape. Under-age patients needed to obtain parental consent for an abortion, and abortions could only be performed in hospitals and clinics.{{cite web | title = Luxembourg, Penal Code. Chapitre Ier. - De l'avortement. (L. 15 novembre 1978) | date = 15 November 1978 | url = http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/population/abortion/LUXEMBOURG.abo.htm | language = fr | access-date = 2 January 2013 | archive-date = 31 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160331200114/http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/population/abortion/LUXEMBOURG.abo.htm | url-status = dead }}

Many doctors in Luxembourg opt out of providing abortion services as conscientious objectors. Doctors who choose not to conduct an abortion, or are incapable of doing so, are required to refer the patient to another medical practitioner under the 2012 law.