Abortion on demand is possible in Austria within the first three months of pregnancy. This usually means until the end of the 13th week, counting from the first day of your last period.
There is no compulsory counselling and no mandatory waiting period before having abortion.
Since abortion is not covered by health insurance and has to be paid privately, one need not be registered in Austria, or have Austrian health insurance to have an abortion.
- Pregnancy test
- Emergency contraception
- Abortion with pills until the 9th week of pregnancy
- Abortion through vacuum aspiration within first 3 months of pregnancy
- Abortion after the first 3 months of pregnancy
- Anonymous birth
- Baby flap
Pregnancy test
You can get a pregnancy test in the pharmacy and in the store BiPa or DM-Drogeriemarkt.
- Costs: around 5–25 Euro
The Austrian Family Planning Association (ÖGF) provides free pregnancy test for people with little or no financial means in their counselling centres.
Emergency contraception
Morning-after pill
You can get the morning-after pill over the counter in a lot of pharmacies. There are two different supplements available. „Vikela“ must be taken within 72 hours, „ellaOne“ within max. 120 hours after intercourse.
The effect will be best if you take the pill as soon as possible, ideally within the first 12 hours to get the best outcome.
The morning-after pill delays ovulation, but if the intercourse was during ovulation, it will not work.
- Costs: around 17–39 Euro depending on the supplement
Copper coil
A copper coil is inserted into the uterus by a gynaecologist. This is not only short-term emergency contraception, it can also be used as a long-term contraceptive for up to 5 years.
- Costs: around 400 Euro
Abortion with pills until the 9th week of pregnancy
Until the end of the 9th week of pregnancy, abortion with pills is possible. The pills have to be prescribed by a gynaecologist.
For an abortion with pills, Mifepristone and Misoprostol are administered in the clinic. Mifepristone is taken on the spot in the presence of the doctor, after an ultrasound. Misoprostol, together with the instructions on how to take it, are given to the person to be taken at home.
- Full time spent at the clinic: around 30 minutes
- Costs: between 330 and 840 Euro, depending on the clinic
Some clinics offer reduced rates for people in difficult circumstances, including refugees. Please get in touch with the Austrian Family Planning Association (ÖGF) or info@abortion-in-austria.at to learn if you are eligible for the reduced rate.
If you are registered in Vienna for more than 3 months, have a low income and/or have refugee status, the costs of your abortion can be covered by the city of Vienna. Before the planned procedure you need to contact Magistratsabteilung 40 and provide documents that prove your status. More information
In Tyrol, people with no or low income and people in financial emergency situations can apply for support to finance an abortion or contraceptives. More information
Abortion through vacuum aspiration within first 3 months of pregnancy
Abortion via vacuum aspiration is possible from an early stage up until the end of the 3rd month of pregnancy. This usually means until the end of the 13th week, counting from the first day of your last period.
The procedure starts with an ultrasound and a short conversation about the anaesthesia method you prefer. You can choose between local anaesthesia (a shot) and partial or full anaesthesia. Then the cervix is slightly opened and the uterus is emptied with a single-use vacuum aspirator. Afterwards you have time to rest, and then you can go home.
- Procedure: 3–4 minutes
- Full time spent at the clinic: around 2–3 hours
- Costs: between 550 and 939 Euro, depending on the clinic
Some clinics offer reduced rates for people in difficult circumstances, including refugees. Please get in touch with the Austrian Family Planning Association (ÖGF) or info@abortion-in-austria.at to learn if you are eligible for the reduced rate.
If you are registered in Vienna for more than 3 months, have a low income and/or have refugee status, the costs of your abortion can be covered by the city of Vienna. Before the planned procedure you need to contact Magistratsabteilung 40 and provide documents that prove your status. More information
In Tyrol, people with no or low income and people in financial emergency situations can apply for support to finance an abortion or contraceptives. More information
Abortion after 3 months of pregnancy
As of the 3rd month, pregnancies can only be terminated in Austria after approval by an ethics committee and if one of the following indications apply:
- The foetus is expected to have a severe physical or mental disability.
- The life or physical/mental health of the pregnant person is severely endangered.
- The pregnant person was an underage minor (under 14 years old) at the time of conception.
If you need an abortion but none of these conditions apply, you can organise an abortion in the Netherlands (up to the 22nd week) and in the UK (up to the 24th week).
- If you decide to travel to the Netherlands, you can contact and receive support from Abortion Network Amsterdam, e-mail: anamsterdam@riseup.net
- If you choose to travel to the UK, you can contact Abortion Support Network, e-mail: info@asn.org.uk
In Austria, abortions from the end of the 3rd month of pregnancy onwards are carried out by induced labour. This means that a so-called “small birth” or “still birth” will take place. The procedure usually takes a few days, during which you need to stay in the hospital. Most hospitals have clinical psychologists who offer support during this time.
The costs are covered by the Austrian healthcare system. While this usually applies only to those who also have insurance in Austria, it is possible that some hospitals offer the procedure for free or have a reduced rate for social reasons.
Anonymous birth
Giving birth anonymously is free of charge in any Austrian hospital with a maternity ward, as well as anonymous prenatal care and ambulance transport. After the birth, the Child Protective Service becomes the legal guardian of the child and foster parents (prospective adoptive parents) take on the care for the child.
Anonymous birth can be a solution for people in difficult situations. You and the child will receive anonymous medical care and can also benefit from psychosocial help. It is a legal option, therefore you will not have to worry about legal or criminal prosecution.
For an anonymous birth, you should contact the maternity ward at the hospital of your choice as early as possible. At the hospital, the team will be aware that you are in a difficult situation and will respect your wish for anonymity.
You have around 6 months to change your mind. Usually until the adoption process is finalised and under certain circumstances, you can revoke your decision to give up your child. In order to do so you must waive your anonymity and apply for parental rights for the child at court.
More information about anonymous birth: anonymegeburt.at
Baby flap
If for any reason you can’t have an anonymous birth but can’t care for the baby either, there are 16 hospitals which provide baby flaps. The service is anonymous and free of charge. The baby will receive medical care and the Child Protection service becomes the legal guardian. You have around six months to change your mind, before the adoption process will be finalised.