Abortion in Hungary

Abortion in Hungary was permitted without exception in 1953 ^[1] . Extensions of abortion laws in 1956 ^[1] , 1973 ^[2] and 1992 ^[3] created Hungary's reputation as one of the most liberal abortion laws in Europe ^[3] . While women are required to obtain permission from the committee for an abortion, various hypothetical situations have been introduced into the law allowing abortion, so the request has turned into a simple formality ^[1] .

The committee may refuse permission if the woman’s pregnancy does not exceed twelve weeks and represents a “serious crisis” for the mother ^[1] . In 1998, the Hungarian Supreme Court demanded a definition for the term “serious crisis” because there were concerns. That women who perform the procedure may in fact not experience a “crisis” and if they are in a [crisis situation] they can receive psychiatric help after an abortion ^[1] . On June 29, 2009, the Ministry of Health defined a “serious crisis” as “causing bodily harm, mental illness, or a socially unacceptable situation.” ^[2]

The new Hungarian constitution, which entered into force in 2011, decided that human life is protected from the moment of conception, which could lead to restrictions on abortion, ^[4] although the laws on abortion have not changed since then ^[5] .

In 2012, on the initiative of the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban , the provision on the complete protection of human life was introduced into the constitution.

As of 2010, the number of abortions was 19, 4 per thousand women aged 15 to 44 years ^[6] .