Overview

• The World Health Organization estimates that about 45% of abortions globally occur under unsafe conditions, underscoring the public‑health stakes highlighted by Safe Abortion Day.
• A Center for Reproductive Rights report says 43 of 49 European states allow or decriminalize first‑trimester abortion, while Poland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta and Monaco retain highly restrictive laws and some countries have recently backslid.
• Germany faces criticism for mandatory counselling certificates and a three‑day waiting rule, with additional cost and travel burdens compounded by a documented decline in providers, especially for rural patients.
• The Bavarian Administrative Court ruled that anti‑abortion protests may take place near clinics if pregnant women are not actively harassed, reflecting the 2024 law’s lack of automatic buffer zones despite fines for harassment up to €5,000.
• Switzerland approved full health‑insurance coverage for abortions starting in 2027, contrasting with Germany where procedures without serious medical indication are not routinely covered.