EU Commission rejects new abortion financing proposal, points to existing fund

Politico Europe · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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News Health Care Countries may need to amend an existing fund to use it to support women who wish to travel to access abortion within the EU. Copy Link Copied Share via email Share on X Share on WhatsApp Share on LinkedIn The My Voice, My Choice citizens' initiative called for the EU to establish a voluntary, opt-in financial mechanism. | Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picture alliance via Getty Images February 26, 2026 4:06 pm CET BRUSSELS — The European Commission will not set up a new financing scheme to expand abortion access in Europe, rejecting a proposal backed by nearly 1.2 million European citizens. The Commission however said countries could use an existing fund to help women pay for abortion services. But first they may need to amend programs covered by this fund. The My Voice, My Choice citizens' initiative called for the EU to establish a voluntary, opt-in financial mechanism to help countries provide abortion care to women who can’t access it in their own country and who choose to travel to one where they can. The European Parliament voted to support it in December. Some MEPs who opposed it said it infringed upon EU and national rules. The Commission said Thursday it "it is not necessary to propose a new legal instrument" because "EU support can already be provided relatively quickly by Member States willing to do so under existing instruments." Countries can use the European Social Fund plus, the Commission said, "if in accordance with their national laws, to provide such support." This has a budget of €142.7 billion and is largely used to support employment and welfare services. "The ESF+ can support the efforts of these Member States, while granting them autonomy to determine how and under what conditions access to safe and legal abortion will be provided," the Commission said. "The Commission and My Voice, My Choice want the same thing: the highest standards of health for women in Europe," Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib told POLITICO. "We are reaching our shared goal by using the tools in our hands. Until now, these tools had not been used. From now on, we will use them." "The funding is there. Member States can act immediately, and we are ready to support them," Lahbib said.