Tyrol Faces Continued Delays in Expanding Abortion Access

Tyrol, Austria, continues to grapple with limited access to abortion services, as efforts to secure a second physician to perform the procedure have stalled. The situation leaves a single private doctor responsible for providing abortions to approximately 170,000 women of childbearing age in the region, raising concerns among women’s rights organizations and opposition parties.

Contract Negotiations Fail

In March 2025, the state of Tyrol announced it had identified a second private doctor willing to offer abortion services. Though, according to a statement from the office of Regional Health Councilor Cornelia Hagele (ÖVP), the medical profession withdrew existing offers during contract negotiations [Source: ORF Tirol]. This setback hinders the state government’s goal of making abortion access more readily available.

Limited Access in Tyrol

Currently, Tyrol is one of only two Austrian federal states – alongside Burgenland – without a public health facility offering abortion services. Women seeking abortions in Tyrol must rely on a single private practitioner, who is scheduled to retire in 2028 [Source: ORF Tirol]. This impending retirement adds urgency to the need for expanded services.

Political Response and Ongoing Discussions

The delay has drawn criticism from opposition parties, including the SPÖ, who accuse the ÖVP of obstruction. Selma Yildirim, a Tyrolian SPÖ National Councilor, has described the situation as a “blockade” [Source: Der Standard] and [Source: Die Presse].

Despite the recent setbacks, the state government maintains its commitment to expanding abortion access. Officials state they are continuing intensive discussions with the medical profession, emphasizing that their cooperation is crucial for improving medical care in this area [Source: ORF Tirol].

Recent Attempts to Expand Services Also Fail

Recent efforts to enlist two additional gynecologists to perform abortions have also failed, with both physicians ultimately deciding against offering the service [Source: Die Presse]. The reasons for their withdrawal remain unclear.

Coalition Agreement and Future Plans

The current ÖVP/SPÖ coalition government agreed in 2022 to “ensure needs-based, low-threshold, medically high-quality access to abortions” through the expansion of outpatient services, either in private practices or in connection with a public facility [Source: ORF Tirol]. However, progress towards this goal remains sluggish.