Emergency contraception

Verified 29 June 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Emergency contraception is a method of « catching up » following a situation at risk of pregnancy. There are 2 types of emergency contraception. Emergency contraception medicinal, sometimes incorrectly called " morning-after pill’, is a medicine to be used as soon as possible in case of sexual intercourse unprotected or poorly protected. Emergency contraception can also be a intrauterine device copper (also called iud). We present you the rules to know.

Medication

The sooner emergency contraception is taken after intercourse, the more effective it is. This medication works mainly by delaying ovulation.

Medicated emergency contraception is a medicine to be used in case of unprotected or poorly protected sexual intercourse (examples: rupture or absence of the condom, absence of contraception, missed pill, vomiting and diarrhea after taking the contraceptive tablet).

This medication is a single tablet that should be taken as soon as possible because its effectiveness decreases over time.

There are 2 types:

  • Levonorgestrel: it should be taken at the latest in 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected or poorly protected sex
  • To ulipristal acetate: it should be taken at the latest in 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected or poorly protected sexual intercourse.

Warning  

The effectiveness of emergency contraception is not assured at 100%.

You can get emergency contraception with medication without a prescription in a pharmacy.

It is taken care of at 100% by the Health Insurance or by themedical aid (AME).

FYI  

A nurse may prescribe emergency contraception.

It can only be delivered in schools, university departments, sexual health centers, sexual health and mediation centers, free information, infection screening and diagnosis centers and health care hotlines.

It is issued free of charge and anonymously to minors :

  • In a pharmacy
  • By a school nurse
  • In sexual health centers
  • Or in the Free Information, Screening and Diagnosis Centers (CeGIDD).

In middle school, high school and university, a doctor or nurse can deliver it to you.

The adults without social security coverage it is available free of charge and without a prescription:

  • In sexual health centers
  • Or in the Free Information, Screening and Diagnosis Centers (CeGIDD).
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact

Emergency medical contraception is free for both minors and adults.

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For a minor

It's free.

For an adult

It is taken care of at 100% by the Health Insurance on presentation of:

FYI  

It is available free of charge in sexual health centers, in the Free Information, Screening and Diagnosis Centers (CeGIDD).

Intrauterine device

Emergency contraception may also be in the form of a copper intrauterine device (IUD) (also known as a copper device) iud).

The IUD is a small rod, usually made of soft plastic and T-shaped, followed by a thread.

The copper IUD carries a small amount of copper which, when placed in the uterus, creates an environment hostile to sperm and renders them inactive.

IUD is an effective emergency contraception in patients with 5 days after the risk ratio (examples: rupture or absence of condom, missed pill, vomiting and diarrhea after taking the contraceptive tablet, absence of contraception).

IUD is considered the most effective method of emergency contraception.

You must first consult a doctor (general practitioner, gynecologist...) or midwife, and clarify that this is an emergency.

At the first consultation, after checking for contraindications, the professional will prescribe the IUD.

During the 2from consultation, the professional will carry out the installation.

You can also go to a sexual health center (formerly known as a family planning or education center - CPEF) that welcomes minors and adults without social insurance for free consultation.

FYI  

Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to have had children before to be able to get an IUD.

Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact

The situation varies depending on whether you are 26 years old or over or under 26:

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For women aged 26 and over

After a prescription from a doctor (general practitioner, gynecologist...) or midwife, you can buy it at a pharmacy.

It costs €30.50 (outside medical consultations) and is reimbursed to 65%.

For women under 26 years of age

Reimbursement (excluding medical consultations) is 100% on prescription.

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