Abortion remains a crime in 14 of Europe’s 52 countries. Malta is the only country which is part of the European Union that strictly prohibits abortion. Poland has tightened its abortion laws as it is now illegal to abort a baby on the grounds of foetal defects. Abortion is also illegal in Andorra and San Marino. Twenty-six European countries give healthcare workers the right not to provide or recommend abortions based on their personal beliefs. Sweden, Iceland and the UK are the top 3 European countries which provide the easiest access to abortion services. The Netherlands, France and Denmark come next. The countries which have the most difficult access to abortion care are Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Lichtenstein, Monaco and Poland.
