Andorran Government approves bill to remove the crime of abortion for women from the Penal Code
The reform follows years of negotiations with the Vatican
The Government of Andorra approved a bill on Wednesday, 28 October, to decriminalise women who have abortions. The historic decision comes after years of negotiations with the Holy See and several delays to the introduction of the reform.
The announcement was made by Ladislau Baró, Minister for Institutional Relations, Education and Universities, at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting. He confirmed approval of a qualified bill amending Article 117 of the Penal Code.
The decision marks a significant change in how abortion is treated under criminal law in the Principality. However, it does not legalise abortion or establish a general right to have the procedure carried out in the country.
El Govern aprova retirar del Codi Penal la responsabilitat de les dones que avorten https://t.co/7T4lQL9N3p
— La Veu Lliure (@laveulliure) October 28, 2026
The reform fulfils a political commitment made by Xavier Espot’s Government at the start of the parliamentary term and included in Demòcrates per Andorra’s election programme.
Baró says protecting life cannot mean criminalising women
In his remarks, Ladislau Baró said a balance must be found between protecting life, as set out in Article 8 of Andorra’s Constitution, and the legal position of women who decide to end a pregnancy.
The minister said changing abortion legislation had been considered during previous parliamentary terms, but that the current Government had committed to addressing the issue.
Baró argued that protecting life cannot mean criminalising a woman who decides to have an abortion.
The Government says this is the main basis for the reform. It aims to remove criminal penalties for women without changing the essential features of Andorra’s institutional system.
La Veu Lliure had reported the agreement between Andorra and the Vatican
The bill’s approval follows La Veu Lliure’s report on 7 October that the Andorran Government and the Vatican had reached an agreement to decriminalise women who have abortions, after several contacts with the Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
According to information published by this newspaper at the time, the negotiated solution was to remove women’s criminal liability while maintaining restrictions on healthcare professionals who perform abortions.
The proposal also excluded coverage by the Andorran Social Security Fund (CASS), meaning the reform would not add abortion to publicly funded healthcare services.
These conditions formed part of the understanding described by sources familiar with the negotiations. The final scope of the reform will depend on the definitive legislative text.
La Veu Lliure also reported that the Episcopal Co-Prince, Josep-Lluís Serrano i Pentinat, would not sign the law, even though the proposal had been negotiated with the Holy See.
That position would reflect a wish to preserve the Catholic Church’s doctrinal stance on abortion without blocking the legislative reform.
Years of negotiations with the Holy See
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