As of today, women across the Netherlands can order abortion pills online to terminate pregnancies up to 9 weeks. Thanks to the website Thuisabortus.nl, an in-person visit is no longer necessary.
This is a major development in abortion rights for women in the Netherlands: previously, women were required to go to an abortion clinic, a gynaecologist, or a GP for the pills.
So what’s changing?
A new system
The most recent change in abortion regulation prior to this came in 2025, when it was established that General Practitioners (GPs) would also be able to prescribe the pills.
Even with this new system, however, Dutch women were encountering difficulties. Not all GPs prescribe the pills (only about 3 or 4% do, reports RTL Nieuws), and visiting abortion clinics can feel particularly threatening.
Thuisabortus.nl means that women can discreetly acquire the pills they need without encountering adversity for what is already a very difficult decision.
After answering a questionnaire on the site, the requester’s information is reviewed by a team of medical professionals (GPs and gynaecologists) before the pills are sent to a pharmacy free of charge. In other words, it’s never been easier.
Concerns
This degree of access does, however, raise other concerns. For instance, what if the lack of consultation causes an increase in coerced abortions?
Speaking with RTL Nieuws, GP and sexologist Peter Leusink, who helped spearhead the website, thinks these fears are overblown.
“These are exceptional situations,” he said.
READ MORE | Woman says Arnhem abortion clinic “should have stopped me,” now she’s taking them to court
Alternatively, there are concerns about the legality of this new system.
While meeting with a doctor is not legally a requirement to receive abortion assistance, the Dutch Medical Association (KNMG) has indicated that other factors are at stake.
It is unclear, for instance, whether the online questionnaire provides enough insight into the patient’s medication history (a legal requirement for abortion care), RTL reports.
Even so, the team behind Thuisabortus.nl seems hopeful. Speaking with the Volkskrant, Leusink says, “this is self-determination in its purest form.”
What do you think of this latest development? Let us know in the comments!
It’s a very good thing, every woman should decide for herself without any people in between, who can influence her decision.