Abortion in Montenegro: on request up to 10 weeks, with commission approval from 10 to 20 weeks, who pays and what applies to minors

In Montenegro a pregnancy can be terminated up to 10 weeks from conception on the woman's written request, and a specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics approves the request within three days. From 10 to 20 weeks termination is possible only for one of four reasons set by law and with the approval of a first-instance commission, which decides within three days. After 20 weeks it is allowed only on medical grounds with the approval of the Ethics Committee of the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, and after 32 weeks it is not allowed. The costs of a termination up to 10 weeks are borne by the woman, while in cases approved by a commission or the Ethics Committee they are paid by the Health Insurance Fund. A minor needs the written consent of a parent or guardian.

This guide sets out what the Law on the Conditions and Procedure for Termination of Pregnancy provides. It is not medical advice: discuss the decision and the procedure with your gynaecologist.

What time limits apply?

• By law the approval procedure is urgent, and the facility must keep professional secrecy and respect the woman's dignity.
• When an emergency intervention is needed to save the woman's life, the termination is carried out without approval from a commission or the Ethics Committee.
• Before any termination the woman's identity and blood group are established.
• At the woman's request a termination up to 10 weeks can be done under general anaesthesia, with the consent of an internal medicine specialist.

What are the reasons for termination from 10 to 20 weeks?

The first-instance commission may approve a termination if:

1. the woman's life cannot otherwise be saved or serious harm to her health during pregnancy, childbirth or after childbirth cannot otherwise be prevented;
2. medical indications suggest the child will be born with serious physical or mental impairments;
3. the conception resulted from a criminal offence;
4. the woman could face serious personal or family circumstances during pregnancy or after childbirth.

After 20 weeks only the first two, medical reasons can apply. Between the 24th and 32nd week the termination must be preceded by feticide as a separate medical intervention.

How does the commission procedure work?

• The first-instance commission has two specialists in gynaecology and obstetrics and a social worker or psychologist.
• The second-instance commission has two specialists in gynaecology and obstetrics, a medical genetics specialist, a psychiatrist and a law graduate.
• Right after being told the decision, the woman may ask for the file to be sent to the second-instance commission, which counts as an objection.
• The woman, her spouse or partner, a parent, adoptive parent or guardian may attend the commission's session.
• Terminations approved by the second-instance commission or the Ethics Committee are carried out at the Clinical Centre of Montenegro.

Who pays the costs?

The law does not set the cost of a termination up to 10 weeks, and we did not find an official price list on health facilities' websites, so check the price with the facility before booking.

What applies to minors?

• A minor or a person under guardianship can have a termination only with the written consent of a parent, adoptive parent or guardian.
• If the parents or guardian are not available, the guardianship authority can give consent.
• The written consent is kept with the medical records.

Where is it done and what happens afterwards?

• Terminations may be carried out only in secondary and tertiary health facilities, that is in hospitals holding a decision from the Ministry of Health.
• After the intervention the woman stays under supervision in the facility for at least two hours, and for at least 24 hours if the pregnancy was over 10 weeks or she has an illness.
• Before the intervention the doctor must explain the methods and possible health consequences.
• Termination to choose the child's sex is prohibited, as are early genetic tests before the 10th week to determine sex, except where there is a risk of hereditary disease.

How to choose or change a gynaecologist as your chosen doctor is explained in our guide to the family doctor and eZdravlje, and preventive check-ups in the guide to cancer screening. How time off work for illness is paid is covered in the guide to sick leave, and ambulance and hospital numbers in the guide to emergency numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Up to what week is abortion allowed in Montenegro? On written request up to 10 weeks from conception, from 10 to 20 weeks with commission approval for the reasons set by law, and up to 32 weeks only on medical grounds with the Ethics Committee's approval.

Does the Health Fund pay for an abortion? A termination up to 10 weeks is paid by the woman, unless she receives social welfare. The Fund pays for terminations approved by a commission or the Ethics Committee and for emergency interventions to save the woman's life.

Can a minor have an abortion without her parents? No. The written consent of a parent, adoptive parent or guardian is required, or of the guardianship authority if they are not available.

How long does the commission take to decide? The first-instance commission decides within three days, and an approved termination is carried out within seven days of the decision.

Can the commission's decision be challenged? Yes, within seven days to the second-instance commission at the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, which decides within seven days; its decision is final.

How long do you stay in hospital after a termination? At least two hours, and at least 24 hours if the pregnancy was over 10 weeks or the woman has an illness.

Sources

Time limits, reasons, commissions, costs and supervision are set by the Law on the Conditions and Procedure for Termination of Pregnancy (Official Gazette 53/2009), also published by the Ministry of Health. Information checked on 29 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is neither medical nor legal advice.