Are you unintentionally pregnant? This page provides you with specific information on both the legal aspects and the practical issues of a possible abortion: Where do I go and in what order? How much does an abortion cost? And are there any options for covering the costs?
On the legal side
Abortions are illegal in Germany under current law (§§ 218, 219 StGB), but remain exempt from punishment under certain conditions - for the woman having the abortion and for the medical staff. These three conditions must be met:
- The abortion must be performed by the 12th week after fertilization.
- Advice from a recognized advice centre is required in advance.
- The procedure may be performed no earlier than three days after the consultation.
Procedure
If you are considering an abortion, you must follow a set procedure.
- Make an appointment for a pregnancy conflict counseling session at a recognized counseling center. This consultation is a necessary legal requirement for a non-punishable abortion. You can always take a companion with you to this appointment. You can find the contact details in the "Counseling centers" section.
- After the consultation, the advice center will issue you with the certificate you need to have the procedure carried out.
- Addresses of gynecological practices that perform abortions in Aachen can be obtained from the counseling center.
- You can contact a practice independently or be referred to a practice that performs abortions. Important: The abortion may only be performed three days after the consultation at the earliest.
Methods
There are different methods of abortion:
- Medication (can be used up to the 9th week of pregnancy)
- Operative
You will be informed about the different methods at the advice center or at your gynaecological practice. If you want to inform yourself in advance, you can find further information on the website of the Federal Center for Health Education.
Costs
A self-induced abortion is not covered by health insurance and is therefore not covered by health insurance like other medical procedures. You must therefore pay for the abortion yourself. The costs usually amount to 350 to 500 euros.
You can apply for the costs to be covered if your monthly income does not exceed 1258 euros (as of 2020) (individual circumstances are taken into account - you should contact the advice center for more information).
Exceptions to the coverage of costs are so-called abortions for medical reasons: if the woman's health is at risk due to the pregnancy, the health insurance company must cover the abortion after presenting a corresponding expert opinion. The same applies in the case of a criminological indication, which applies if the pregnancy is the result of a sexual offense.
Immediate help
An unwanted pregnancy can cause a lot of worry and doubt. Sometimes there is no one you can trust in your immediate vicinity. If you are looking for someone to talk to right now, the helpline can help you:
"Pregnant women in need" 0800/ 40 40 020
There you can get anonymous help, support and contact to a local counseling center if you wish.
Recognized advice centres in the city of Aachen
Recognized here means that these counselling centres can issue the legally required counselling certificate, which is necessary for a penalty-free abortion.
donum vitae Aachen e.V.
Franzstr. 109
52064 Aachen
0241 - 400 99 77
aachen@donumvitae.orgpro familia e.V.
Monheimsallee 11
52062 Aachen
0241 36357
0241 402750
aachen@profamilia.de