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Abortion and Legal Issues

Obstetrician & Gynecologist Dr. Korkut Arslan

Abortion Law in Turkey

In Turkey, the legal timeframe for terminating pregnancies is regulated by the Population Planning Law of 1983 and the Turkish Penal Code of 2004. According to these laws, elective abortions are legally permitted up to the 10th week of pregnancy.

Abortion Law in Turkey

According to the 1983 Population Planning Law (abortion law), pregnancies up to 10 weeks can be terminated without any specific conditions. In cases of fetal abnormalities or when the fetus has no detectable heartbeat, abortion is legally permitted up to 24 weeks, which is considered the limit of viability.

A woman over the age of 18 who is unmarried can legally undergo an abortion of her own will up to the 10th week of pregnancy. For minors under 18, parental consent is required; for married women over 18, spousal consent is mandatory as long as the pregnancy has not exceeded the 10-week limit.

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In the following sections of this page, you can find the topics listed below. Simply tap on any heading to quickly access the relevant section.

  • Is Abortion Illegal in Turkey?
  • Is Abortion Legal in Turkey?
  • Who Can Legally Consent to an Abortion?
  • Can Someone Under 18 Get an Abortion?
  • Can Abortion Be Performed Without Spousal Consent?
  • Is Abortion Legal for Unmarried Women?

What Are the Legal Requirements for Getting an Abortion in Turkey?

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Is Abortion Illegal in Turkey?

Abortion in Turkey is not illegal as long as it complies with the Population Planning Law—meaning the pregnancy has not exceeded 10 weeks, the woman is over 18 years old, and, if married, has the consent of her spouse. In cases involving fetal anomalies or conditions incompatible with life, the legal limit may be extended up to 24 weeks, subject to a decision by a medical board based on the presence of specific health concerns.

Is Abortion Illegal in Turkey?

Is Abortion Legal in Turkey?

In Turkey, abortion is legal up to the 10th week of pregnancy under the Population Planning Law of 1983 and the Turkish Penal Code of 2004. However, abortion is not legal for minors under 18 or for married women without spousal consent. In such cases, parental or official approval is required—for minors, parental or legal authority consent is needed, and for married women, the husband's consent is necessary.

Is Abortion Legal in Turkey?

Who Can Legally Consent to an Abortion?

According to the laws of the Republic of Turkey, women over the age of 18 who are not married can legally consent to an abortion on their own, provided the pregnancy has not exceeded 10 weeks. For minors, parental consent is required, and for married women, spousal consent is mandatory. If a minor is involved in a criminal case such as sexual abuse, it is legally required for the physician to report the situation to law enforcement. Otherwise, the physician may face legal consequences under the relevant articles of the Penal Code.

Who Can Legally Consent to an Abortion?

Can Someone Under 18 Get an Abortion?

Individuals under the age of 18 can only undergo an abortion with parental consent. However, if the abortion is due to a criminal case such as sexual abuse, the situation must be reported to the authorities and the procedure carried out based on the decision of judicial institutions.

Can Someone Under 18 Get an Abortion?

Can Abortion Be Performed Without Spousal Consent?

A married woman cannot undergo an abortion solely on her own request, even if it is within the legal 10-week period. Spousal consent is a legal requirement for the termination of an unwanted pregnancy within the legal timeframe.

Can Abortion Be Performed Without Spousal Consent?

This requirement remains even if the couple is in the process of divorce. As long as the divorce is not finalized, the husband's consent is still necessary.

Is Abortion Legal for Unmarried Women?

There is no requirement for a woman to be married in order to have an abortion. As long as the woman is over the age of 18 and the pregnancy has not exceeded 10 weeks, abortion is legal for unmarried women. According to Turkish law, women who meet these conditions may choose to terminate their pregnancy voluntarily.

Is Abortion Legal for Unmarried Women?

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GYN SGN Dr. Korkut Arslan

GYN SGN Dr. Korkut Arslan

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GYN Surgeon Dr.

GYN Surgeon Dr.

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My assistants are currently online and ready to assist you with anything you need.

frequently asked questions

Abortion is most commonly performed to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. However, it can also be done for diagnostic purposes such as taking a sample from the uterus or removing polyps.
One of the most common concerns patients have after an abortion is whether they will be able to get pregnant again. Abortion is not a procedure that prevents future pregnancies. There are many women who have had multiple abortions and later conceived and gave birth naturally. If the abortion is performed by an experienced doctor using sterile, single-use instruments under proper sterile conditions, there will be no problems afterward.
If abortion is performed under sterile conditions by a qualified doctor in the proper manner, it does not cause any issues. There is no specific limit on how many abortions one can have.
The legal limit for elective abortion is up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. However, if there are medical issues such as fetal abnormalities or the absence of a heartbeat, the pregnancy can be terminated up to the 24th week, which is considered the viability limit.
According to Turkish law, abortion is legal but with time restrictions. In addition to the time limit, if the woman is married, spousal consent is required. Also, the woman must be over 18 years old.
Abortion can be performed under general anesthesia (where the patient is asleep) or local anesthesia (where only the area is numbed). Considering psychological comfort, general anesthesia is often preferred. However, with local anesthesia, pain is minimal and this method is also commonly used.
If you're considering terminating an unwanted pregnancy and wondering where to have an abortion, we recommend checking out our clinics located in Bakırköy and Nişantaşı, which are clean, follow strict hygiene protocols, and are fully reliable.
If abortion is performed by an experienced doctor using sterile instruments, and if the prescribed medications are used correctly and the patient attends follow-up appointments, it does not cause infertility. The most important thing is to prevent infections after the procedure. That’s why the procedure is done with single-use sterile tools, and medications such as antibiotics and estrogen are given afterward to prevent infections or adhesions. The doctor’s experience is also very important in preventing complications.
We ask our patients to use the prescribed medications correctly and attend their follow-up appointments regularly. Bleeding similar to menstruation may occur for about a week. In some cases, especially with early pregnancies, there may be no bleeding at all or bleeding may start 4–5 days later with clots and tissue. These are considered normal post-abortion symptoms and should not cause concern. We also advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking antibiotics and to abstain from sexual intercourse for at least two weeks to prevent infections.
Patients can usually return to their daily routines right after the procedure. Light bleeding similar to menstruation may occur for about a week. In some cases, there may be no bleeding, while in others, bleeding with tissue may occur 4–5 days after the abortion.
Yes, bleeding similar to a menstrual period may occur after an abortion. Medications are provided to help manage these symptoms. Additionally, antibiotics and birth control pills are used to prevent infection and adhesions. Bleeding usually lasts about one week and resembles a menstrual period.

More Content

General Information About Abortion
General Information About Abortion

Abortion is a surgical intervention intended to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, in general. Abortion literally means scraping, and besides terminating the pregnancy, it is also performed for the purpose of taking tissue from the uterus. This surgical intervention is one of today’s most commonly performed surgical procedures. From a psychological point of view, it is not easy to make a decision on terminating a pregnancy. However, when a surgical intervention is considered, the surgical procedure called vacuum abortion, which allows for the patient to return to her daily life immediately, can be safely performed using new practical surgical instruments in such a short time of 3 to 5 minutes in a doctor's office setting, thanks to the advancement of today’s technology and the development of anesthetic drugs. When performed with the vacuum technique by a specialist physician using sterile instruments in a hygienic environment, abortion does not cause any problem for the patient and does not prevent her from getting pregnant again in the future.

Abortion Prices
Abortion Prices

As with other medical treatments, it is not appropriate for physicians to give information about abortion prices publicly without communicating directly with their patients, according to medical ethics. For this reason, we do not give information about the costs of our treatment procedures on our website. In this regard, we can here only say that the prices for abortion are determined based on the week of pregnancy and the type of anesthesia to be preferred. The price of abortion increases in parallel with the week of pregnancy, and the cost of the procedure performed under general anesthesia is a bit higher than the cost of the procedure performed under local anesthesia. If you want to get clear information about abortion prices, you can call us any time or fill out and send us the form that will appear when you click the “get online price” button. Thus, we will contact you by using the contact information you have specified as soon as possible to give you information about abortion prices based on the week of your pregnancy.

Getting an Abortion
Getting an Abortion

Many women around the world face unplanned pregnancies. If you are in such a situation, it’s important to carefully consider your options. You typically have two choices: terminate the pregnancy through abortion, or accept the pregnancy and become a parent. If you decide to choose abortion, it is completely normal to have many questions. Below, you'll find frequently asked questions from individuals considering abortion, as well as feedback from those who have undergone the procedure. We hope this article helps address the concerns in your mind. For more detailed information, feel free to consult our doctors anytime. Read Abortion Patient Reviews.

Abortion Experiences
Abortion Experiences

All around the world, whether married or single, many women are faced with unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. In such cases, a woman must decide whether to continue the pregnancy and give birth, or to terminate it. If she chooses to have an abortion and has never been through the process before, it is only natural for her to seek information and begin researching the topics she is curious about.

Abortion Doctor
Abortion Doctor

When selecting a doctor for an abortion, you should consider the following: the doctor should be attentive, knowledgeable, experienced, and meticulous about hygiene. They should examine patients carefully and thoroughly, and clearly explain the risks and post-abortion care requirements. You can visit our 'About Us' page to learn more about our doctor, Dr. Korkut Arslan. You can also read reviews from our patients on our testimonials page. There, you’ll see that all our patients recommend our doctor and confirm they received high-quality healthcare. If you're considering abortion, you can confidently choose our experienced, caring, and hygienic doctor.

Hospitals That Perform Abortions
Hospitals That Perform Abortions

Abortion is not only performed in hospitals—it can also be safely carried out in private clinics, practices, and medical centers. In fact, abortion is a medical procedure that can be easily and safely performed in a private office using the vacuum method and single-use instruments by an experienced and meticulous gynecologist. When done in such settings, the risk is minimal. After the procedure, patients can usually return to their daily lives after a short rest. We also provide specially prepared recovery rooms for our patients. If you would like to have a safe and hygienic abortion at our private clinic in Nişantaşı (Dr. Korkut Arslan), feel free to contact us and consult our specialist.

Places That Perform Abortions
Places That Perform Abortions

One of the most frequently researched topics by our patients is where in Istanbul they can safely and healthily undergo an abortion. Many doctors in both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul perform abortions in their private offices. As we’ve explained in other articles, abortion is a procedure that can be comfortably performed in a clinical setting. Besides private practices, abortions are also done in hospitals, clinics, and medical centers. When choosing a facility, make sure the abortion is performed by experienced doctors in hygienic conditions to avoid health risks during or after the procedure.

Abortion Centers
Abortion Centers

Anyone considering an abortion will begin looking for a suitable abortion clinic. The procedure can be performed in hospitals, clinics, or medical centers, as well as safely and comfortably in a private office. There are many abortion clinics in various districts of Istanbul. Our clinic is located in Nişantaşı, where we provide services to our patients. At our Nişantaşı office, Gynecologist and Surgeon Dr. Korkut Arslan offers services in a sterile environment using the most modern tools and equipment. When choosing a clinic, consider the following: Are the doctors experienced? Are they attentive to their patients? Is the clinic hygienic and comfortable? Is it conveniently located and accessible by public transport?

Learn More About ABORTION

Feel Free To Consult Our Doctor

GYN SGN Dr. Korkut Arslan

GYN SGN Dr. Korkut Arslan

7/24 Call Now7/24 Whatsapp
GYN Surgeon Dr.

GYN Surgeon Dr.

7/24 Call Now7/24 Whatsapp

My assistants are currently online and ready to assist you with anything you need.

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