New report: barriers to abortion access in Europe

• People in almost every EU country are turning to Abortion Support Network for help accessing abortion services abroad
• To mark International Safe Abortion Day (28 September), we have released new figures to illustrate the scale of the challenge to abortion access in Europe
• In the last 18 months, the charity has been contacted by people in every EU country except Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, and Slovenia

Since 1 January 2022, UK charity Abortion Support Network has been contacted by 1,610 people in 48 different countries, including every EU country except four (Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, and Slovenia). In the 18 months since January 2022, ASN provided £345,544 in financial support for those who cannot afford the costs of an abortion or to pay for travel to another country to access services. The amount of financial support required to help people access abortions has risen 264% in four years.

The report released today shows that we are seeing increasing numbers of people being forced to leave certain countries for abortion care, including France and Hungary. Just this year ASN has heard from 35 people from France who needed information and support to access an abortion abroad.

The largest group supported by ASN is people from Poland, where abortion access was effectively removed in a ‘Constitutional Tribunal’ ruling in 2020. Since then, Abortion Without Borders has helped well over 100,000 people get an abortion either at home with pills or by travelling to a clinic.

ASN also funds many clients from Ireland, whose laws changed in 2019 but are still leaving many people behind, and Malta, which has a total ban on abortion.

There is an enormous challenge with abortion access across the whole continent, and it’s a problem that is being bridged by feminist groups like ASN and networks like Abortion Without Borders. There is a large and enthusiastic network of ordinary people across Europe who are stepping up and helping others get abortions where they are being left behind in their own countries.

In the 18 months between January 2022 and June 2023, Abortion Support Network:

• Funded second trimester abortions for 274 people from Poland, 135 people from Ireland, 16 Ukrainian refugees, 6 people from Malta, and 33 people from other countries;
• Spent £345,544 in grants to clients, which covered the costs of paying privately for an abortion in a clinic, plus travel and accommodation where needed.

ASN’s average grant per person in 2023 is:

• £922 for France
• £1,244 for Malta
• £922 for the Republic of Ireland
• £633 for Poland
• £1,212 for Ukrainian refugees.

Support our work

The majority of ASN’s funding comes from individual people, making regular donations and raising funds through events. We are only able to say “yes” to the people who seek our help because of the incredible generosity of our 1,500+ regular donors.

If you can make a monthly donation, you will be part of the safety net that supports hundreds of women and pregnant people to make their own choices about their own bodies.