A wave of disinformation has recently spread across Europe following a vote in the UK House of Lords on March 18. Contrary to what has been widely shared on social media and by some media outlets, the United Kingdom has not legalized abortion up to birth.
The adopted measure actually aims to end the criminalisation of women who terminate their pregnancies outside the legal framework. In concrete terms, they will no longer face investigations, arrests, or criminal prosecution. The reform could also lead to pardons for women previously convicted in such cases.
However, the legal framework governing access to abortion remains unchanged. The 1967 law still limits abortion to 24 weeks of pregnancy, except in exceptional circumstances, and requires approval from two doctors. Healthcare professionals, for their part, remain criminally liable if they do not comply with the legal requirements.
Much of the confusion stems from conflating “decriminalisation” with “legalisation.” The vote comes amid growing criticism over the use of outdated laws, particularly an 1861 law that has been used in recent years to prosecute more than a hundred women.
Across Europe, the situation remains highly uneven, with some countries having broadly liberalised access to abortion while others still regulate it under criminal law. The recognition of abortion as healthcare and as a fundamental right remains an open debate, including at the European Union level.
For a full analysis and a fact-check of the misinformation, read the article on Euronews: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/03/27/misleading-headlines-claim-uk-legalised-abortion-until-birth