European Commission, 2026: the ESF+ programme for legally available, affordable and safe abortion
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On 26 February 2026, the European Commission adopted a communication replying to the European Citizens' Initiative ‘My Voice My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion', recognizing officially that Member States can use existing European funding mechanisms to support abortion services.
The initiative “My Voice, My Choice” had collected over 1.1 million signatures across the EU and it was submitted to the Commission for examination on 1 September 2025, gathering broad support from EU institutions, national governments and civil society.
Following its analysis of the initiative and with regard to the EU Treaties' limitations to EU competence in public health matters, the Commission emphasized that Member States can rely on existing EU instruments without requiring new legislation. To improve equal access to legally available and affordable healthcare services, including safe abortion services, the EU offers support through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) programme.
Member States wishing to voluntarily provide support to access abortion services for pregnant individuals may use or reallocate available resources within their ESF+ programmes. Those choosing this option may first need to amend their national or regional ESF+ programmes to incorporate such actions within their funding priorities. This approach allows Member States to maintain full autonomy in determining how and under what conditions access to safe and legal abortion is provided.
Member States that opt into this financial mechanism can use ESF+ funds to guarantee legal and safe access to abortion care for individuals traveling from countries where abortion is not safe or legal or, in general, for those who could not otherwise afford it.
In this way, the EU supports Member State action in the area of public health, while fully respecting their responsibility for defining their health policy and organizing the delivery of health services and medical care.