Contraception Policy Atlas Europe 2026
The newly released Contraception Policy Atlas Europe 2026 provides a detailed overview of how governments across Europe approach access to contraception. Developed by the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, this latest edition tracks national policies in three key areas: access to contraceptive supplies, access to family planning counselling, and the availability of reliable online information. Its aim is not only to compare countries, but also to highlight gaps and encourage improvements in public health policy.
At its core, the Atlas examines access to modern contraception, focusing on whether people can obtain contraceptive methods easily, affordably, and with adequate support. This includes evaluating the extent to which contraceptives are covered by national health systems, whether counselling services are accessible to different populations, and how well public institutions communicate information about contraception.
Across Europe, the findings reveal a mixed picture. While there has been gradual progress in many countries, access to modern, effective, and affordable contraception remains uneven. Out of 47 countries analysed, 21 provide coverage for contraceptives within their national health systems, including long-acting reversible contraceptives such as intrauterine devices and implants. In 12 countries, this coverage extends specifically to young people up to the age of 25. Some countries have made notable advances in communication, with 9 offering particularly strong government-run websites dedicated to contraception. In addition, 8 countries provide emergency contraception free of charge through pharmacies or public health services, and 11 allow people to obtain certain contraceptives directly from pharmacies without a prescription.
Despite these improvements, important barriers remain. In Hungary and Poland (where a pilot system is being introduced), emergency contraception still requires a prescription. In 8 countries, minors must obtain explicit consent from a parent or legal guardian to access contraception. Postpartum contraception is another area where gaps are evident: although 19 countries have national guidelines, only 14 ensure access at hospital discharge, and just 9 provide counselling at that critical moment.
When comparing overall performance, several countries stand out for their strong policies and accessibility. France leads the ranking with a score of 97.9%, followed closely by the United Kingdom (95.8%), Portugal (93.8%), Luxembourg (93.3%), and Belgium (92.3%). At the other end of the scale are Poland (38.9%), Russia (37.8%), Türkiye (37.5%), Hungary (36.9%), and Slovakia, which ranks last with 32.2%.
Slovakia’s position highlights significant systemic shortcomings. Its overall score places it in the lowest category, reflecting weaknesses across all evaluated areas. Access to contraceptive supplies is particularly limited. There is no coverage of contraceptives within the national health system for any demographic group, and long-acting reversible contraceptives are not reimbursed. Emergency contraception is also not reimbursed, and its availability without a prescription remains unclear and requires further verification.
The situation is similarly concerning in the area of postpartum care. Slovakia does not have national guidelines on postpartum contraception, and this form of care is not routinely provided at hospital discharge. As a result, an important opportunity to support individuals immediately after childbirth is missed.
Access to counselling presents additional challenges. Individuals under the age of 18 must obtain parental or legal guardian consent to be prescribed hormonal contraception, which can act as a barrier for young people seeking confidential care. At the same time, it is important to note that legal status, such as marital status or citizenship, does not restrict access to contraception. Hormonal contraceptives, however, are not available without a prescription, which further limits accessibility.
In terms of online information, Slovakia performs somewhat better compared to other areas. Non-governmental organisations, including Možnosť voľby (Freedom of Choice), provide information on fertility regulation and the prevention of unplanned pregnancies.
Available resources offer detailed explanations of different contraceptive methods and include relatively comprehensive information about costs. However, there are still notable shortcomings. Information on where contraceptives can be obtained is largely missing, and websites focusing on reproductive rights are not easily discoverable, reducing their practical usefulness for the general public.
Looking at developments over time, Slovakia’s performance has fluctuated. The country scored 44.1% in 2017 and improved to 49.7% in 2020, but the most recent data from 2026 shows a significant drop to 32.3%. While there have been moments of progress, the overall trend raises concerns, especially given that Slovakia now ranks last among all countries analysed.
The Atlas does not only identify problems; it also outlines a clear set of recommendations for improvement. These include integrating contraceptives into national health system coverage, ensuring that counselling services are accessible to all populations, including those in rural or underserved areas, and strengthening public health communication so that people understand both the range of available methods and where to access them. It also highlights the importance of monitoring new technological developments, such as artificial intelligence and fertility tracking applications, and recommends that postpartum contraception be systematically included as part of care at hospital discharge.
Overall, the Contraception Policy Atlas Europe 2026 shows that while progress is being made in some parts of Europe, access to contraception remains inconsistent and, in some cases, inadequate. Slovakia’s ranking underscores the need for more comprehensive policies and better implementation.
