In Germany, women who have compulsory health insurance and have victims of sexual abuse will receive contraceptive pills for free. The relevant law passed the Bundestag on the night against Friday, Spiegel .
Earlier, emergency contraception costs were covered only for victims under 22 years after rape. Age restrictions have been abolished from now on, which greatly extends access to the necessary medical care.
The Social Democratic Party of Germany and Green has long been insisted on ensuring free access to emergency contraception. Their initiative was supported by the Reproductive Rights Commission, which in 2024 recommended that all contraceptives free for sexually active population over 22 years.
The final decision was made possible by the amendment to the health care law, which was supported by the Free Democratic Party.
Changes in the legislation were the result of Gudrun Stifter's public initiative, which in 2021 initiated a petition into the Bavaria Parliament after her own tragic experience. In 2022, the Bavarian government urged the federal authorities to abolish the age -related qualification for victims of violence.
On Thursday, Stifter was present at the Bundestag plenary session when the decision was made. "I am glad that my efforts have brought their fruits and that the victims of crimes will no longer have to pay for the pills that are taken in the morning," she said.
The effectiveness of such decisions is confirmed by the experience of Finland, where the number of adolescent abortions decreased by 66% from 2000 to 2023. Experts explain this free access to contraception for young people and compulsory sexual education in schools.
