Contraception

Verified 31 March 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

What is contraception? This is the whole range of measures to prevent pregnancy. There are different types of contraception. The best known are the contraceptive pill and the condom. They are for women and men. The reimbursement depends in particular on the chosen device. We're giving you the regulations to know.

Tableau - Characteristics of the different contraceptive devices for women and men

Devices

Features

Intrauterine device (IUD)

A device placed inside the uterus by a doctor or midwife. Effective for 4 to 10 years, depending on the model.

There are 2 types: hormonal or copper.

Pill

Tablet to be taken daily at regular times for 21 or 28 days

Patch

Stick to your skin once a week and renew each week for 3 weeks.

There are no patches to stick to the 4e week, which causes menstrual periods to occur. Allows you to be protected even during the downtime.

Implant

Cylindrical 4 cm stick inserted under the skin of the arm, under local anesthesia by a doctor or midwife. It can be left in place for 3 years.

Vaginal ring

A flexible ring to place yourself inside the vagina, such as a tampon. It should be left in place for 3 weeks. At the beginning of the 4e week, the ring should be removed, causing menses to appear. Allows you to be protected even during the downtime.

Diaphragm and cervical cap

Silicone cup to place yourself inside the vagina. It is used in combination with a spermicidal product. The cape is a silicone dome that covers the cervix.

These devices can be placed at the time of intercourse but also several hours before and should be kept for 8 hours after intercourse.

External “male” and internal “female” condom

The external condom is placed on the penis before penetration, while the internal condom can be placed inside the vagina or anus several hours before sexual intercourse

Spermicides

Gel and egg to be placed inside the vagina a few minutes before each intercourse thus destroying sperm

Injectable progestins

Intramuscular injection every 3 months by a doctor, midwife or nurse 

Permanent contraception

Surgery in men (vasectomy) or women (tubal ligation). These methods are considered irreversible.

You may obtain information or be prescribed contraception by:

  • A doctor
  • Or a midwife in a city office or sexual health center.

Doctors, midwives, and sexual health centers are empowered to prescribe all forms of contraception.

One ordinance is needed for the following contraceptives:

  • Intrauterine device (IUD)
  • Pill
  • Patch
  • Implant
  • Vaginal ring
  • Diaphragm and cervical cap (spermicides that accompany diaphragm use are bought at a pharmacy without a prescription)
  • Progestins for injection.

The consent of the parents or legal representative is not required for the prescription, dispensing or administration of contraceptives to underage girls.

This refund rate may vary depending on age.

Please note

The condoms are distributed free of charge in sexual health centers and in free anonymous screening centers (CeGGID).

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You're under 26

Tableau - Health Insurance coverage of different contraceptive devices for children under 26

Contraceptive devices

Support rate

Intrauterine device (IUD)

TO 100%

Pill

Some pills are reimbursed by the Health Insurance at 100%

Patch

No

Implant

TO 100%

Vaginal ring

No

Cervical cap

No

Diaphragm

TO 100%

External brand condom:

  • Eden
  • Get out covered
  • Be Loved
  • Sure & Smile
  • Manix Classic

    • External condom latex-free Manix Sensitivity brand

    TO 100% without a prescription for everyone without minimum age (including beneficiaries of state medical aid and EU nationals)

    Internal brand condom:

  • ORMELLE
  • So Sexy & Smile
  • Be loved free

    • TO 100% without prescription for all without minimum age (including beneficiaries of state medical aid and EU nationals)

    Spermicides

    No

    Injectable progestins

    TO 100%

    Permanent contraception

    TO 80%

    FYI  

    The mutual societies (health supplements) may, if necessary, cover all or part of the costs which are not reimbursed by the health insurance if the contract so provides. Ask your mutual insurance company for more information.

    Some contraceptives are free in sexual health centers:

    • For underage girls wishing to keep secret
    • And for adult women who do not have health insurance.

    The following costs related to contraception for children under 26 years of age are covered by the Health Insurance, without advance payment :

    • Follow-up visit by a doctor or midwife on 1re year of access to contraception
    • Annual consultation carried out, from 2e year of access to contraception by a doctor or midwife for a prescription of contraception or for laboratory tests related to contraception
    • Certain birth control tests (fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides), done once a year
    • Acts leading to the insertion, change or withdrawal of a contraceptive
    • Supply of refundable contraceptives in pharmacies on presentation of a medical prescription.

    Please note

    The Health Insurance also covers 100% long-term sexual health consultation (without advance payment). It is accessible to all young people, girls and boys, up to the age of 25.

    You're 26 and older

    Tableau - Health Insurance Coverage of Different Contraceptive Devices for 26 Years and Older

    Contraceptive devices

    Support rate

    Intrauterine device (IUD)

    TO 65%

    Pill

    Some pills are reimbursed by the Health Insurance at 65%

    Patch

    No

    Implant

    TO 65%

    Vaginal ring

    No

    Cervical cap

    No

    Diaphragm

    TO 65%

    External brand condom:

  • Eden
  • Get out covered
  • Be Loved
  • Sure & Smile
  • Manix Classic

    • External condom latex-free Manix Sensitivity brand

    TO 60% on prescription

    Internal brand condom:

  • ORMELLE
  • So Sexy & Smile
  • Be loved free

    • TO 60% on prescription

    Spermicides

    No

    Injectable progestins

    TO 65%

    Permanent contraception

    TO 80%

    FYI  

    The mutual societies (health supplements) may, if necessary, cover all or part of the costs which are not reimbursed by the health insurance if the contract so provides. You should ask your mutual insurance company.

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