This post was most recently updated on January 29th, 2023
Abortion is only legal in Poland when the pregnancy results from a criminal act or when the woman’s life or health is in danger. Parental consent is always required if the woman seeking an abortion is a minor in Poland.
In addition, persuading a woman to carry out an illegal termination of her pregnancy is a criminal act.
As of 27 January 2021, abortion is legal only in the following cases:
- When the continuation of pregnancy endangers the woman’s life or health. [Consent of a physician is required]
- When the pregnancy is a result of a criminal act. [Must be certified by the prosecutor]
In Poland, women aren’t subject to a penalty for illegal termination of pregnancy, however, the medical personnel ordering and carrying out the abortion are subject to criminal penalties including jail time.
Legal Abortion in Poland
The Polish Ministry of Health publishes yearly official data on legal abortions and their reasons. The number has been stable over the years, between 1,000 and 2,000.
Most of the reasons for abortion were a risk to health and criminal act.
Is Surrogacy legal in Poland?
Surrogacy isn’t legal in Poland. Many Polish citizens go to US or other countries to find a surrogate mother for their kid.
Illegal Abortion in Poland
Poland’s abortion law is also one of the most restrictive in the European Union (EU) and Europe in general.
The BBC reported estimates of illegal abortions in Poland per year ranging between 80,000 and 150,000.
As abortion is illegal in Poland, some women go abroad to seek an abortion. Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are among the most popular destinations for abortion for Polish women.
I think Poland should allow abortion. What do you think? Let me know in the comment section below.
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