Abortion in Italy

Abortion in Italy became legal in May 1978, when Italian women were granted the right to terminate a pregnancy, upon request, during the first 90 days. Although a proposal to repeal the law was considered in a 1981 national referendum, it was rejected by nearly 80% of voters.

Italian women are eligible to request an abortion for health, economic, social or family-planning reasons.

Abortions are performed free-of-charge in public hospitals or in private structures authorized by the regional health authorities.