- Elective abortion is legal until the end of the 10th week of pregnancy (Law No. 2827, Art. 5).
- Weeks are counted from the first day of your last period; the exact stage is confirmed by ultrasound.
- Married women need spousal consent; under-18s need a parent's or guardian's consent (Art. 6).
- The same rules apply to foreign nationals in Turkey.
The 10-week rule
Under Article 5 of Law No. 2827, a pregnancy may be ended on request until the end of the 10th week, provided there is no medical reason against it for the woman's health. The procedure must be carried out by authorised doctors in licensed healthcare facilities.
How are weeks counted?
The stage of pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last period, not from conception. That is why, by the time a period is late, a pregnancy is usually already 4–5 weeks along. If your periods are irregular or you do not remember the date, the exact stage is measured by ultrasound.
The calculator below shows your estimated stage and the date the 10th week ends, based on your last period.
Find out how many weeks you are
Based on your last period, see your estimated stage of pregnancy and the last day of the 10-week legal limit in Turkey.
Pick a date and your result will appear here.
The date is calculated in your browser only and is never sent anywhere. The exact gestation is confirmed by ultrasound.
Whose consent is needed?
Under Article 6 of the Law, the woman's own consent is required. In addition:
- Married women also need their spouse's consent.
- Under-18s need the consent of a parent or guardian alongside their own.
- For people under legal guardianship, the person's own consent plus the guardian's and a magistrate's permission are required.
Consent is not required in emergencies where delay would endanger life.
Foreign nationals and visitors
Turkish law applies equally to foreign women living in or visiting Turkey. You will be asked for your passport or residence permit to confirm your identity. If you are married, spousal consent is required regardless of nationality; please contact us in advance so we can explain how this works in your situation.
If you are travelling for the procedure, plan to stay in Istanbul for at least a day afterwards and avoid flying on the same day if you have sedation.
What happens after 10 weeks?
After the 10th week, a pregnancy can only be ended if it threatens the mother's life or if there is a condition that would cause severe disability in the baby. This requires reasoned reports, based on objective findings, from an obstetrician-gynaecologist and a specialist in the relevant field.
Privacy and records
Under the Patient Rights Regulation and data protection law (KVKK), your health information is confidential and protected as special-category personal data. Medical records that healthcare facilities are legally required to keep, and legal reporting duties (for example for under-18s), still apply.
Frequently asked questions
I am a few days past 10 weeks. Is it still possible?
The legal limit for elective termination is the end of the 10th week. Because the exact stage is set by ultrasound, it is important to be examined even if your period dates suggest you are past the limit. If the limit has passed, a termination is only possible on the medical grounds set out in the law.
I am not married. Does anyone else need to consent?
If you are 18 or over and not married, your own consent is enough.
I am married but my husband is abroad. What happens?
Spousal consent is a legal requirement for married women. Please contact us to discuss how to proceed in your situation.
Sources
- Law No. 2827 on Population Planning (Turkey, 1983), Arts. 5–6.
- Regulation on the Conduct and Supervision of Uterine Evacuation and Sterilisation Services (Turkey, 1983).
- Patient Rights Regulation (Turkey, 1998), provisions on privacy and confidentiality.
- Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 (KVKK), Arts. 6 and 10–11.