Is Abortion Legal in Ireland?

The abortion law in Northern Ireland is different to the abortion law in the Republic of Ireland. Women who are unable to access abortion there can travel to England for safe and legal treatment.

Abortion and the Law In the Republic of Ireland

In the Republic of Ireland you can legally have an abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, in line with the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2018.

After 12 weeks it is possible to access abortion care in the Republic of Ireland if there is a risk of serious harm or a risk to the life of the pregnant person. It is also possible to access abortion care if there has been a diagnosis of fatal fetal abnormality.

For more information, please visit My Options, HSE’s official unplanned pregnancy website, or call them directly on 1800 828 010 for free.

If you are over 12 weeks of pregnancy, you can travel to England for safe and legal abortion care. We provide private abortion services up to 23 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, in line with the Abortion Act 1967.

We offer discounted abortion care fees to all those who live in the Republic of Ireland. We also offer free transfers from the airport or ferry port to get to and from your appointment.

Same-day consultation and treatment can be arranged for you (this is subject to availability and to your personal treatment option). Our trained advisors can talk you through your options and available appointments.

Please mention when booking if it is difficult for you to fund the cost of your travel and accommodation (and possibly those of a parent, guardian or carer). We will assess whether you are eligible for help with these expenses.

Abortion and the Law in Northern Ireland

Access to abortion is limited in Northern Ireland. It is legal in very exceptional circumstances, when there is a risk to physical or mental health with permanent or long-term consequences.

It is legal to ask your GP or other healthcare professionals about abortion and to travel to England for abortion care.

The UK Government have committed to cover the cost of abortion care for women from Northern Ireland who are treated in England  Find out more here. 

Remember that in both countries, you have the right to:

• Travel to another country to access safe and legal abortion care
• Request information on abortion services abroad from your healthcare provider or crisis pregnancy counsellor 
• Have information about abortion services in other countries as part of a face-to-face/in-person counselling session on all your options such as parenting, adoption and abortion
• Access pregnancy counselling, post-abortion counselling and free post-abortion medical check-ups in Ireland
• Be treated with dignity and respect at all times