Requesting a voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP)
Last update
As is the case for sex education and the prevention of abortion, the rules on voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) are included in the programme for the promotion of sexual and emotional health launched in 2013.
Any pregnant woman may request a voluntary termination of pregnancy within the time period provided for by law and after having been informed of the different options available to her.
Who is concerned?
The following persons may request a voluntary termination of pregnancy:
- pregnant adult women;
- pregnant non-emancipated minors, with the consent of their parent, legal guardian, or a trusted adult.
Prerequisites
A voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) may be performed at the pregnant woman's request, provided that:
- the pregnant woman consults a physician specialised in gynaecology and obstetrics at least 3 days before undergoing the VTP;
- the VTP is performed by a physician specialised in gynaecology and obstetrics, licensed to practise in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, and is performed in a hospital or other licensed institution.
The pregnant woman must, before undergoing a VTP, have received the following from the specialist:
- a dated certificate of pregnancy (French, Pdf, 66 Kb) stating the location and exact age of the pregnancy, to be given to the physician performing the VTP;
- medical information about the different methods of VTP that exist and about the medical risks and the potential side effects;
- a list of institutions licensed to perform voluntary terminations of pregnancy, if the physician providing the certificate is not able perform it;
- documentation explaining the rights of pregnant women, the aid available to children and families, and the various options available to the patient, as well as their consequences.
Deadlines
A voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) must generally be performed before the end of the 12th week of pregnancy, or before the end of the 14th week of amenorrhoea (absence of menstrual periods).
However, a voluntary termination of pregnancy may be performed after that date if 2 qualified physicians certify in writing that there is a serious threat to the health or life of the pregnant woman or the foetus.
How to proceed
Pregnant adult women
Before the procedure, the physician must inform the woman of her right, both before and after the voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP), to a meeting with the psycho-social assistance services connected to a hospital or other institution licensed to perform VTP. There, she will receive:
- information about alternatives to the decision to perform a VTP;
- information about the rights and assistance guaranteed by law to families and children;
- support and advice on how to find help to resolve any psychological and social problems in connection with the VTP.
Pregnant non-emancipated minors
A pregnant non-emancipated minor must meet with the psychological assistance services. There, she will receive:
- information about alternatives to the decision to perform a VTP;
- information about the rights and assistance guaranteed by law to families and children;
- support and advice on how to find help to resolve any psychological and social problems in connection with the VTP.
If a minor patient wishes to keep the voluntary termination of pregnancy a secret from her parents or legal guardians, the VTP and the related medical procedures and care may be performed on the condition that she is accompanied by a trusted adult of her choice. The psychosocial assistance services will provide advice on the choice of a trusted adult.
After meeting with the psychosocial assistance services, the pregnant non-emancipated minor must confirm in writing:
- her decision to undergo a voluntary termination of pregnancy;
- her consent to the planned procedure, after having obtained the necessary information from the physician.
VTP procedures
Women who wish to have a VTP performed may go to one of the centres licensed by the Ministry of Health and Social Security to perform VTP.
A medically induced voluntary termination of pregnancy may also be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and who is not a specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics.
Physicians in private practice who are not licensed to perform VTP may perform medically induced VTP, provided that they have entered into an agreement (French, Pdf, 101 Kb) with a hospital that has a gynaecology and obstetrics department with 24-hour emergency services.
Hospitals are free to agree or refuse to enter into such agreements.
Similarly, no physician or healthcare professional is required to perform a VTP.
Legal offences
The following persons shall be subject to 2 to 5 years in prison and a fine of EUR 251 to EUR 25,000:
- a person who performs or attempts to perform an abortion on a pregnant woman (or a woman presumed to be pregnant), by any means, without following the procedures provided for by law, even if the woman has consented to the procedure.
- a pregnant woman who obtains a voluntary termination of her pregnancy without following the procedures provided for by law.
However, there is no offence when the voluntary termination of pregnancy is performed after the end of the 12th week of pregnancy, or after the end of the 14th week of amenorrhoea (absence of menstrual periods), if 2 qualified physicians certify in writing that there is a serious threat to the health or life of the pregnant woman or the foetus.
Online services and forms
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Who to contact
Ministry of Health and Social Security
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Ministry of Health and Social Security
- Address:
- 1, rue Charles Darwin L-1433 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247-85505
- Fax:
- (+352) 467-963
- Email address:
- info@ms.public.lu
- Website:
- https://msan.gouvernement.lu/en.html
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Health Directorate – CovidCheck
- Address:
- 13a, rue de Bitbourg L-1273 Luxembourg-Hamm Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247-65533
- Email address:
- helpdesk-covidcheck@ms.etat.lu
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National Health Directorate - Orthoptics Service
- Address:
- 20, rue de Bitbourg L-1273 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 – 75678
- Fax:
- (+352) 247-75 679
- Email address:
- sop@ms.etat.lu
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National Control and Assessment Committee
- Address:
- L-2935 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Email address:
- cnce.euthanasie@ms.etat.lu
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Health Directorate (Direction de la Santé)
- Address:
- 13a, rue de Bitbourg L-1273 Luxembourg-Hamm Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247-85605
- Email address:
- info@ms.public.lu
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National Health Directorate - Department for School Medicine and Health of Children and Young People
- Address:
- 20, rue de Bitbourg L-1273 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 75540
- Email address:
- secmedscol@ms.etat.lu
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Radiation Protection Division
- Address:
- 6B, rue Nicolas-Ernest Barblé L-1210 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247-85647
- Email address:
- secretariat.radioprotection@ms.etat.lu
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National Health Directorate – Audiophonology Service
- Address:
- 20, rue de Bitbourg L-1273 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247-755.00
- Fax:
- (+352) 247-955.00
- Email address:
- sap@ms.etat.lu
- Website:
- http://www.audiophonologie.lu
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Health Inspection Department
- Address:
- 2A, rue Thomas Edison L-1445 Strassen Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247-85650
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Ministry of Health and Social Security – Vaccination
- Address:
- 1, rue Charles Darwin L-1433 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- +352 247-65533
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Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
Legal references
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Loi du 17 décembre 2014
portant modification 1) du Code pénal et 2) de la loi du 15 novembre 1978 relative à l'information sexuelle, à la prévention de l'avortement clandestin et à la réglementation de l'interruption volontaire de grossesse
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Loi modifiée du 15 novembre 1978
relative à l'information sexuelle, à la prévention de l'avortement clandestin et à la réglementation de l'interruption de la grossesse
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