Is Abortion Banned in Türkiye? Legal Time Limit, Spousal Consent and Conditions
Obstetrician and gynaecologist in Muratpasa, Antalya. Information on the legal time limit for termination of pregnancy (abortion) in Türkiye, spousal consent and medical termination.
Short answer: In Türkiye, termination of pregnancy on request is legal until the end of the 10th week of pregnancy under Population Planning Law No. 2827; the week is counted from the first day of the last period and confirmed by ultrasound. Parental consent is required under 18, and for officially married women the husband's written consent is required. After the 10th week, the procedure can be carried out only in cases of medical necessity, such as conditions that threaten the mother's health or a serious anomaly in the baby, with a report from a health board of specialist doctors.
Abortion, called "termination of pregnancy" in medical terminology (dilatation and curettage or aspiration (emptying by suction)), is the procedure of emptying the contents of the womb by medical means. In Türkiye, whether this procedure can be carried out depends not only on medical indications (necessities) but also on strict legal limits set by Law No. 2827 on Population Planning. For the steps of the procedure, see our abortion (termination of pregnancy) page.
Is Abortion Banned in Türkiye?
No. Abortion is not banned in Türkiye. Under Law No. 2827 on Population Planning, which is in force, a pregnancy can be ended at the woman's request until the end of the 10th week. After the 10th week, it can be carried out only in cases of medical necessity, such as conditions that threaten the mother's health or a serious problem in the baby. The procedure is performed by specialist doctors in healthcare facilities with suitable conditions.
Legal Time Limit and Conditions for Termination of Pregnancy in Türkiye
Under the legislation in our country, termination of pregnancy on request can be carried out provided certain conditions are met:
- Legal time limit: Termination of pregnancy on request is legal until the end of the 10th week of pregnancy. After the 10th week, a termination on request is not legally possible. The week of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) and confirmed by ultrasound and gynaecological examination.
- Age and consent: For the procedure to be carried out, the woman must have reached the age of 18. For those under 18, the consent of a parent (or guardian) is required.
- Marital status and spousal consent: Under the relevant law, for an officially married woman to have a termination on request, her husband's formal (written) consent is also required. Unmarried women who have reached 18 can make this decision with their own consent.
Cases of Medical Necessity (Therapeutic Abortion)
Where the pregnancy has passed the 10th week, termination can be carried out only if there is a vital medical necessity (indication). These situations are:
- Risks to the mother's health: The presence of serious physical or psychiatric illness such that continuing the pregnancy would endanger the mother's life.
- Foetal anomalies: Where ultrasound or genetic screening tests identify developmental or genetic anomalies in the foetus that are incompatible with life or could cause severe disability for the child to be born and for future generations.
- Empty pregnancy or loss in the womb: Where the embryo has not developed (anembryonic pregnancy) or the baby has died in the womb, medical evacuation is carried out.
- In these situations beyond the 10th week that involve medical necessity, a health board report from specialist doctors must be issued before the procedure can be carried out.
The Medical Procedure and Approaches
In current gynaecological practice, vacuum aspiration (the Karman method), generally the least traumatic method, is preferred for termination of pregnancy. To minimise the risk of infection, the procedure is carried out in fully sterile clinic or operating theatre conditions, under local (regional) or general (sedation) anaesthesia according to the patient's medical situation.
After the procedure, regularly taking any antibiotics or painkillers prescribed by the doctor, abstaining from sex for a certain period, and avoiding environments that carry a risk of infection, such as pools, the sea or baths, are very important for physical recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Up to how many weeks can abortion be performed in Türkiye?
On request, it can be performed until the end of the 10th week of pregnancy. The week of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of the last period and confirmed by ultrasound.
Is the husband's consent required for abortion?
For officially married women, the husband's written consent is required. For those under 18, parental consent is needed; unmarried women who have reached 18 can make their own decision.
Can abortion be performed after 10 weeks?
Only in cases of medical necessity, such as conditions that threaten the mother's health or a serious anomaly in the baby, with a health board report from specialist doctors.
How is abortion performed?
In the early weeks it is usually done by vacuum (suction); the procedure is short and you go home the same day. For details, see our abortion (termination of pregnancy) page.
This page describes what the law provides. It is written to inform, not to offer a service.