Voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion)
Verified 07 October 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
A pregnant woman, including a minor, who does not wish to continue a pregnancy may request that it be terminated. The practice of abortion is regulated and several steps must be followed, before and after the procedure. During a consultation with a doctor or midwife, the pregnant woman should be informed about abortion methods and has the right to choose one freely according to the term of pregnancy. We present you the information to know.
It exists 2 methods of abortion:
- Instrumental abortion (surgical) must be practiced in a health facility (hospital or authorized clinic in obstetric gynecology or surgery). Under certain conditions, it can take place in an authorized health center that has an agreement with an authorized health facility in obstetrics or surgery.
- Medicated abortion is practiced in a health facility (hospital or clinic), a town office, a sexual health center or a health center.
The abortion technique used depends on your choice and the term of your pregnancy.
This choice can be made with the help of the doctor or midwife.
FYI
The offense of obstruction abortion is punishable by 2 years in prison and €30,000 of a fine.
There's no no age requirement to be respected.
If you are minor, you can choose to ask for the consent of your parents or your legal representative who can accompany you in your abortion process.
However, if you wish keep it a secret, abortion is performed at your sole request. In this case, you must be accompanied in your process by an adult of your choice.
The deadlines depend on the chosen method:
- Instrumental (surgical) abortion may be performed until the end of the 14e week of pregnancy, 16 weeks after the start of the last period
- A medical abortion is performed until the end of the 7e week of pregnancy, a maximum of 9 weeks after the start of the last period.
When you want to have an abortion, you must make an appointment with a doctor (general practitioner or gynecologist) or a midwife practicing in:
- A health facility (hospital or clinic)
- A town cabinet
- A health center
- A sexual health center (formerly a family planning and education center).
You can request an appointment for a face-to-face or remote consultation if your healthcare professional offers it.
If the doctor or midwife consulted does not perform abortions, he or she must inform you immediately and communicate to you the names of professionals performing abortions.
All public health facilities licensed in gynecology-obstetrics or surgery must perform abortion.
Who shall I contact
FYI
Some directories listing the structures and professionals performing abortions are accessible by consulting the websites of the ARS of each territory concerned.
2-stroke are mandatory before the completion of an abortion.
1st step: the information consultation
During this 1er time:
- You're applying for an abortion.
- You will receive oral information and a guide on abortion that will on the different methods of abortion, the places of realization and in particular the choice you have but also on the possible adverse effects.
- The doctor or midwife offers you a psycho-social interview (this is mandatory if you are a minor and must be done before obtaining your consent). This interview takes place in an EVARS (emotional, relational and sexual living space), in a sexual health center or in an approved organization.
2nd step: the collection of consent
During this 2nd In the meantime, you give your written consent to request an abortion to the doctor or midwife.
Reminder
There is no longer a cooling-off period for abortion.
If you are of legal age and do not wish to conduct a psycho-social interview, you can choose to conduct the information and consent collection time in a single consultation.
If you choose to perform a psycho-social interview (mandatory for minors) , there is no mandatory minimum time between it and the completion of the abortion whether you are an adult or a minor.
Instrumental abortion (surgical)
The instrumental (surgical) technique consists of sucking the egg, preceded by dilation of the cervix. Opening of the cervix can be facilitated by administering a drug.
The procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia. You choose with the help of the healthcare professional the anesthesia method best suited to your situation.
Hospitalization usually lasts a few hours, but the procedure itself lasts about ten minutes.
FYI
Midwives performing an instrumental (surgical) abortion in a health facility must prove their competence. This competence is attested by the follow-up of theoretical and practical training in instrumental (surgical) abortion and in the conduct to be held in case of complications related to abortion.
Medicated abortion
The drug technique consists of taking 2 drugs (the 1er used to terminate pregnancy and the 2nd causing the egg to be expelled).
The 2 medications are delivered by the doctor or midwife during the consultation or by the pharmacist in case you have carried out a teleconsultation.
The 1er medicine can be taken:
- In the presence of the doctor or midwife during a consultation or teleconsultation at your home
- Alone in your home.
Taking the 2nd medication occurs between 24 and 48 hours after taking 1er in consultation or at your home.
This method therefore requires neither anesthesia nor surgery. You will be prescribed analgesic medicines.
FYI
In the context of teleconsultation (abortion in hospital or in town), drugs are prescribed by the doctor or midwife and dispensed by a pharmacy designated by the woman. This pharmacy guarantees confidentiality.
For all insured women (adults or minors), abortion and all associated procedures (consultations, ultrasounds, blood tests...) are covered at 100% by the Health Insurance.
There is no advance charge and no possible overcharge.
FYI
For women residing in France in an irregular situation and not admitted to the medical aid of the State (AME), there is a care of urgent care (including abortion) in the hospital (hospitalization or consultation in health institution).
Instrumental abortion (surgical)
The cost of an instrumental abortion is reimbursed by the Health Insurance 100% on the basis of a flat rate.
This rate is between €579.06 and €830.06 based on:
- From the health facility (hospital or clinic)
- Type of anesthesia (local or general)
- And the length of the hospitalization.
Medicated abortion in a health facility
The cost of a medical abortion, in a health facility (hospital, clinic), is reimbursed by the Health Insurance to 100% on the basis of a flat rate fixed at €353.64.
Medicated abortion in city medicine
The cost of a medicated abortion (medical office, health center, sexual health center called before family planning and education center) is reimbursed by the Health Insurance to 100%, with tariffs fixed by decree at every stage.
Psycho-social consultation is systematically offered after abortion. It allows you to talk about your situation if you feel the need.
One control visit must intervene between 14e and 21e day after instrumental or drug abortion.
It ensures that there are no complications and that the pregnancy has been terminated.
During the monitoring consultation, the doctor or midwife ensures that you have a contraceptive adapted to your situation if necessary.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion) information service
By phone
The national toll-free number “abortion, contraception, sexualities”:
0800 08 11 11
Free, anonymous and accessible in metropolitan France and the Drom, this issue, carried by the French family planning movement (MFPF), is available to answer all questions about sexuality, contraception and abortion.
It is open from :
- Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm in metropolis
- Monday to Friday from 5am to 5pm in the Caribbean
- Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm in theIndian Ocean.
They are professionals who answer the callers. They are trained to:
- Listen carefully and without judgment
- Answer all questions
- Refer to the competent people and the places best adapted to the situation and needs of each.
Chat “abortion, contraception, sexualities”
A chat is also available on the website ivg-contraception-sexualites.org of the Family Planning Movement (MFPF) and on ivg.gouv.fr
It is open:
- From 9am to 7pm from Monday to Friday
- And from 5pm to 7pm on Saturdays.
Outside these hours, it is always possible to send a message via chat, the MFPF team is committed to responding by email within 48 hours.
Abortion Information Sites
Outside the time slots of the toll-free number, reference sites on abortion are available and remind of the urgent steps to be taken in case of unprotected or poorly protected sex.
This site lists them:
- Sexual Health Centers (formerly Family Planning and Education Centers - CPEF)
- Other information sites about abortion
- Emotional, Relational and Sexual Spaces (EVARS) sometimes called information, counseling and family counseling institutions.
Consultation prior to voluntary termination of pregnancy
Practice of voluntary terminations of pregnancy in health facilities
Amount of the insured's contribution (Article R322-9)
Offense of obstruction of abortion
Service-Public.fr
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health
French Movement for Family Planning
Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Dila) - Prime Minister
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)