If the abortion is performed for criminological or medical reasons, the costs will be covered by the health insurance company and billed by your doctor via the electronic health card (eGK). A prior application for cost coverage is not required. This is the case in the following two constellations:

• If the termination of the pregnancy is necessary from a medical point of view in order to avert a danger to your life or the risk of serious impairment of your physical or mental health, the health insurance company will cover the costs of the termination. In this case, it is not necessary to apply to the health insurance company for the costs to be covered, as the doctor will make the necessary determination.
• If the pregnancy is to be terminated because it is the result of a criminal offense (rape), the health insurance company will cover the costs of the abortion if no more than 12 weeks have passed since conception. In this case, it is not necessary to apply to the health insurance fund for the costs to be covered, as the doctor will make the relevant findings.

If the abortion is performed for other reasons, it is illegal but not punishable if the following conditions are met in full:

• You expressly request the abortion.
• You provide the doctor with a certificate from a recognized conflict counselling centre stating that you have sought advice from a pregnancy conflict counselling centre at least three days before the procedure.
• A doctor will perform the abortion.
• A maximum of 12 weeks have passed since conception.

In this case, the health insurance fund will cover the costs of

• medical advice on the preservation and termination of the pregnancy,
• medical treatment with the exception of the abortion and follow-up treatment if there are no complications,
• the provision of medicines, dressings and remedies and
• hospital treatment

The costs for the medical procedure of the abortion itself and for medical aftercare are not covered by health insurance.

However, if you have little or no income, in certain cases you can apply to your statutory health insurance fund to have the costs of these services covered. This is the case, for example, if you are considered to be in social need.