Provisions of Abortions of Czech Physicians to Polish Citizens and the Legality of this Practice

Current Situation in Poland

The current state of reproductive rights in Poland can be considered one of the most restrictive and unfavorable in the entire European Union from a legal standpoint. The regulation of abortion in Poland has long been restrictive; however, a significant turning point occurred in October 2020 when the Polish Constitutional Tribunal ruled that terminating a pregnancy due to severe and fatal fetal abnormalities is unconstitutional. This ruling further narrowed the already limited list of permissible grounds for abortion. [1] As a result, Poland, alongside Malta, remains one of the few EU countries where abortion is effectively outlawed.

By acting as a so-called negative legislator, the Constitutional Tribunal annulled the statutory provision that allowed women to undergo an abortion upon learning that there was a high probability of irreversible fetal defects or incurable diseases threatening the fetus’s life. [2] The Tribunal primarily based its reasoning on the incompatibility of the statutory provision with the Polish Constitution, which guarantees the protection of human dignity and the unborn human life, to which the court attributed legal subjectivity. [3]

Currently, abortion is permitted only in cases where the pregnancy poses a serious threat to the woman’s health or resulted from rape or incest. [4] However, Amnesty International reports that “even in these situations, multiple obstacles ultimately restrict access to abortion, particularly for women from low-income groups and small communities”. [5] Due to the Constitutional Tribunal’s ruling, restrictive legislation, and societal stigmatization, Polish women frequently undergo unsafe abortions, either by self-managing the procedure or seeking assistance, which is often illegal. While mere possession of abortion pills is not unlawful, aiding someone in obtaining an abortion—including by medical professionals—is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years. [6]

As a result, many Polish women resort to so-called "abortion tourism," traveling to neighboring countries where abortion is legal, such as the Czech Republic. The tightening of abortion policies in Poland has led to the establishment of non-governmental organizations both within Poland—such as Aborcja bez Granic (Abortion Without Borders)—and in the Czech Republic, where Ciocia Czesia (Auntie Czesia) is among the most well-known initiatives. [7]

Czech Legal Framework

The legal regulation of abortion in the Czech Republic is primarily set out in Act No. 66/1986 Coll., on Artificial Termination of Pregnancy. The relevant provision in this context is Section 10, which stipulates that abortions may only be performed on foreign nationals who do not have only a temporary presence in the country. [8] However, at the time of the law’s adoption in Czechoslovakia, the implications of EU membership were not considered. Therefore, a comprehensive interpretation of this provision requires reference to Decree No. 75/1986 Coll., which clarifies Section 10 of the Abortion Act. The decree states: ”A stay shall not be considered temporary for foreign nationals who work in institutions and organizations based in the Czech Socialist Republic, including family members of such workers, as well as students and other foreign nationals holding residence permits under special regulations or international agreements.”[9] An example of such an international agreement is the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). According to the former Deputy Minister for Legislation and Law at the Czech Ministry of Health, JUDr. Radek Policar [10],this interpretation is further supported by Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and Council on patients' rights in cross-border healthcare. The directive enforces the principle of non-discrimination based on nationality. [11] Moreover, the same conclusion can be reached through an analysis of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), particularly in Case C-159/90 (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children Ireland), where the court ruled that abortion services fall under the category of the free movement of services. [12]

In 2021, the Czech Ministry of Health responded to legal uncertainties regarding this issue, stating: “It is unequivocally established that EU citizens may legally undergo an abortion in the Czech Republic. This applies even if they travel to the country solely for this purpose and stay for only a few days.” [13] Based on the above, it appears that the legal question is relatively clear: EU citizens may legally undergo abortion in the Czech Republic. However, the Czech Medical Chamber holds a differing view.

Position of the Czech Medical Chamber

According to legal experts at the Czech Medical Chamber, the issue of Czech physicians performing abortions for Polish women remains ambiguous due to the outdated nature of the law and its unclear interpretation. Despite arguments from legal professionals, the Ministry of Health, and even the Czech Ombudsman, the Medical Chamber advises physicians to exercise caution when providing abortions to Polish citizens to avoid potential legal disputes and criminal prosecution. [14]

The Chamber’s legal experts contest the Ministry of Health’s conclusion, which is based on EU law interpretation. They argue that the relevant directive has not been transposed into Czech national law, meaning it cannot be directly invoked unless the Ministry amends the legislation. [15]  However, this argument is debatable given the prohibition of nationality-based discrimination, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and Article 18 TFEU. Furthermore, as per CJEU Case C-159/90, which is binding on member states, the provision of abortion services falls under the free movement of services principle. Therefore, the Ministry’s conclusion can be reached through an alternative legal route, leading to the same outcome. EU citizens have the right to access healthcare in any member state under the same conditions as nationals, based on the principle of non-discrimination.

The Czech Medical Chamber also highlights the potential criminal liability of Czech physicians. Section 160 of the Czech Criminal Code penalizes unlawful termination of pregnancy with the woman’s consent. [16] Violating the Abortion Act carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment and a professional ban, and even preparation for such an act is punishable. This understandably strengthens the Chamber’s argument, cautioning physicians against potential prosecution. While I maintain the legality of these procedures based on the aforementioned reasoning, the concerns of Czech physicians regarding legal uncertainty and criminal liability are entirely legitimate.

Given the non-binding nature of the Ministry of Health’s statement and the Czech Ombudsman’s opinion, physicians must comply with laws and binding secondary legislation, but they are also obligated to adhere to the Czech Medical Chamber’s guidance, which holds regulatory authority over the medical profession. [17] Understandably, many physicians without legal training are more likely to trust their professional body over a non-binding statement from the Ministry of Health.

Potential Solutions

As a result of the conflicting interpretations by the Ministry and the Medical Chamber, many physicians and healthcare facilities continue to refuse abortion services to Polish women, prioritizing their legal security over potential liability risks. This exacerbates the already challenging situation for Polish women, who face severe legal restrictions in their home country.

One possible solution would be to amend the Abortion Act. A group of Czech senators attempted such an amendment in 2021, proposing the complete removal of Section 10. [18] The accompanying explanatory report suggested that this would clarify the legal framework, enhance legal certainty for physicians, and facilitate access to abortion for Polish women and third-country nationals. However, the proposal was later withdrawn, and the law remained unchanged.

An alternative and less politically sensitive approach would be for the Ministry of Health to issue a decree explicitly affirming the legality of abortions for non-residents. Such a regulation would be binding on the Czech Medical Chamber and all physicians, eliminating ambiguity without risking a legislative debate that could lead to more restrictive abortion laws—a trend observed not only in Poland but also in the United States. By issuing a decree, the Ministry would reaffirm its established legal stance without requiring legislative approval. [19]

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Provisions of Abortions of Czech Physicians to Polish Citizens and the Legality of this Pr.

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Suggested citation: Rujbr, Sára Eva, Provisions of Abortions of Czech Physicians to Polish Citizens and the Legality of this Practice, CHR - Student Blog, 23/3/2025, https://www.chrprfcuni.com/post/provisions-of-abortions-of-czech-physicians-to-polish-citizens-and-the-legality-of-this-practice

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[1] KRATOCHVÍL, Martin. Nová data. Polsko láme rekordy v počtu obviněných kvůli pomoci při potratu. Denik.cz [online]. 2022, 14.8.2022 [cit. 2023-08-27]. Available from: https://www.denik.cz/staty-eu/polsko-napomahani-potratu-obvineni.html 

[2] Rozhodnutí Ústavního tribunálu Polska ze dne 22. 10. 2020, K 1/20 [online]. Internetowy Portal Orzeczeń Trybunału Konstytucyjnego [cit. 2023-08-29] 

[3] VALC, Jakub. Právní úprava interrupcí v Polsku a (ne)možnost jejího obcházení cestou potratové turistiky. Právník [online]. srpen 2022 [cit. 2023-08-29], str. 735. Available from: https://www.ilaw.cas.cz/upload/web/files/pravnik/issues/2022/8/2_Valc_729-752_8_2022.pdf

[4] NAVRÁTILOVÁ, Aneta. Polský soud rozhodl o znemožnění interrupcí. Centrum pro lidská práva a demokracii [online]. 2021, 18. 4. 2021 [cit. 2023-08-27]. Available from: https://www.centrumlidskaprava.cz/blog/polsky-soud-rozhodl-o-znemozneni-interrupci 

[5] JACKOWSKA, Karolina. Aktivistce obhajující právo na bezpečné interrupce hrozí tři roky vězení. Pomůžete? Amnesty International [online]. 2022, 1.4.2022 [cit. 2023-08-27]. Available from: https://www.amnesty.cz/pripad/polsko-justyna-wydrzynska 

[6] DOMAGALSKA, Karolina. Polsko: Odsouzení aktivistky stíhané za napomáhání potratu nabízí pohled do mrazivé polské budoucnosti. Amnesty International [online]. 2023, 15.3.2023 [cit. 2023-08-27]. Available from: https://www.amnesty.cz/zprava/5627/polsko-odsouzeni-aktivistky-stihane-za-napomahani-potratu-nabizi-pohled-do-mrazive-polske-budoucnosti 

[7] POLÍVKOVÁ, Ema. Ciocia Czesia už tři roky pomáhá Polkám s bezpečnými interrupcemi. Přítomnost [online]. 2023, 17.4.2023 [cit. 2023-08-29]. Available from: https://www.pritomnost.cz/2023/04/17/27375/ 

[8] Zákon o umělém přerušení těhotenství. In: Sbírka zákonů [online]. ČESKO, ročník 1986, číslo 66 [cit. 2023-08-29].

[9]  Vyhláška ministerstva zdravotnictví České socialistické republiky, kterou se provádí zákon České národní rady  o umělém přerušení těhotenství. In: Sbírka zákonů [online]. ČESKO, ročník 1986, číslo 75 [cit. 2023-08-29].

[10] POLICAR, Radek. Proč je provedení umělého přerušení těhotenství občance Evropské unie v souladu s právním řádem platným na území České republiky? [online]. Ministerstvo zdravotnictví České republiky, 2016, 7. 10. 2016 [cit. 2023-08-29]. Available from: https://www.mzcr.cz/proc-je-provedeni-umeleho-preruseni-tehotenstvi-obcance-evropske-unie-v-souladu-s-pravnim-radem-platnym-na-uzemi-ceske-republiky/ 

[11] Směrnice Evropského parlamentu a Rady o uplatňování práv pacientů v přeshraniční zdravotní péči. In: . Úřední věstník, 2011, číslo 24.

[12] BERNARDOVÁ, Aneta. Potraty občanek EU jsou v Česku legální. Ví to Senát? Právní prostor [online]. 22.04.2021 [cit. 2023-08-29]. Available from: https://www.pravniprostor.cz/clanky/ostatni-pravo/potraty-obcanek-eu-jsou-v-cesku-legalni-vi-senat 

[13] Prohlášení Ministerstva zdravotnictví k otázce provádění interrupcí u cizinek, 18.2.2021. Available from: https://www.mzcr.cz/tiskove-centrum-mz/prohlaseni-ministerstva-zdravotnictvi-k-otazce-provadeni-interrupci-u-cizinek/ 

[14] ČABANOVÁ, Adéla. Nejasný český postoj ztěžuje situaci polských žen. Medical Tribune [online]. 5. 1. 2022 [cit. 2023-08-29]. Available from: https://www.tribune.cz/archiv/nejasny-cesky-postoj-ztezuje-situaci-polskych-zen/ 

[15] VALC, Jakub. Právní úprava interrupcí v Polsku a (ne)možnost jejího obcházení cestou potratové turistiky. Právník [online]. srpen 2022 [cit. 2023-08-29], str. 748, Available from: https://www.ilaw.cas.cz/upload/web/files/pravnik/issues/2022/8/2_Valc_729-752_8_2022.pdf 

[16] Zákon č. 40/2009 Sb., trestní zákoník, Parlamentu České republiky. In: . Sbírka zákonů, ročník 2009, číslo 40.

[17] MACH, Jan. Profesní standardy, doporučené postupy a závazná stanoviska. ČLK Tempus medicorum [online]. 2022 [cit. 2023-08-29]. Available from: https://www.zdravotnicke-pravo.cz/0009-profesni-standardy-doporucenepostupy-a-zavazna-stanoviska 

[18] Návrh senátního návrhu zákona senátora Václava Lásky a dalších senátorů, kterým se mění zákon č. 66/1986 Sb., o umělém přerušení těhotenství. In: Senátní tisk č. 58, 2021.

[19] BERNARDOVÁ, Aneta. Potraty občanek EU jsou v Česku legální. Ví to Senát? Právní prostor [online]. 22.04.2021 [cit. 2023-08-29]. Available from: https://www.pravniprostor.cz/clanky/ostatni-pravo/potraty-obcanek-eu-jsou-v-cesku-legalni-vi-senat