Everything You Need to Know About Contraception and Pregnancy Termination Options for Your Working Holiday Adventure

Access to the morning-after pill is by no means easy in all Working Holiday countries. In this case (and in other situations, for instance, some pills are less effective if you weigh more than 75 kg), remember that a copper IUD can be an excellent alternative to the morning-after pill.

Argentina – “Pastilla del día después” or “anticoncepción Hormonal de Emergencia (AHE)”

The morning-after pill has been available free of charge in the country’s public hospitals and health centres since 2006. It can also be purchased in pharmacies for around €5. As of 2023, a prescription is no longer needed in a global effort to broaden access to reproductive rights.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call the government’s free hotline at 0800-222-3444 (Spanish only).

Find out more on the Argentine Ministry of Health website.

Australia – “Morning-after pill”

The morning-after pill is available over-the-counter in pharmacies for about AU$20-AU$50. If a pharmacy doesn’t have one, it must refer you to another that does.

You can also go to a family planning centre if there’s one near you.

Brazil – “Manhã após pílula” or “pílula do dia seguinte”

Technically, a prescription is required to buy the morning-after pill, but apparently, it’s never requested. So you should be able to get it over the counter in pharmacies and there’s no minimum age. It costs around 20 real (about €5).

Canada – “Plan B” or “morning-after pill”

The morning-after pill is available in pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription. In Quebec, a mandatory consultation with the pharmacist is required, but this is not the case in other Canadian provinces. This pill costs between $20 and $40 if you’re not covered by a provincial or territorial insurance plan (if you are, you will pay around $10).

Chile – “Píldora del día después”

The morning-after pill was made available in 2010 and as of 2015, it can be bought over the counter without prior mandatory consultation with a healthcare professional. However, it is still difficult to get. Prices start at €20.

Colombia – “Pastilla del día después”

The two brands sold in Colombia are Postinor and Postday. The morning-after pill is available in pharmacies without a prescription. It costs around 18,000 pesos.

Ecuador – “Pastilla del día después”

The morning-after pill is technically available with a prescription but buying it may be an unpleasant experience as it’s still very controversial. It may be advisable to pack one or two morning-after pills before your trip.

Hong Kong – “Emergency contraceptive pill” or “緊 急 避 孕 丸” (“jǐnjí bìyùn wán”)

The morning-after pill is available in pharmacies with a prescription. It is also available at the Family Planning Association Hong Kong.

Japan – “モーニングアフターピル” (“mo-ningu afutaa piru”)

The morning-after pill can be hard to find and very expensive—expect to pay ¥3,000-¥20,000. It’s not covered by the local healthcare system, so it’s best to pack a couple of pills before your trip.

This website (in Japanese) lists clinics where you can get the morning-after pill.

Mexico – “Pastilla del día después”

The morning-after pill is available over-the-counter in Mexican pharmacies. Expect to pay 50-250 pesos depending on the pharmacy.

New Zealand – “Morning-after pill”

The morning-after pill is available in certain pharmacies but not all. A private consultation with the pharmacist is required and the pill costs around NZ$45.

You can also use a family planning centre if there’s one near you.

Peru – “Pastilla del día después”

Access to the morning-after pill is difficult and highly controversial in Peru, so it’s best to bring one or two with you.

South Korea – “사후피임약” (sahupiim-yag)

A medical appointment and prescription are normally required to get the morning-after pill. Going to a local hospital is always an option, but you’re less likely to have an uncomfortable, judgmental experience in women’s health centres and international hospitals. The pill costs between 10,000 and 20,000 won.

Note that some pharmacies (especially near universities) dispense them without a prescription, so it may be worth giving it a shot.

Taiwan – “緊 急 避 孕 丸” (“jǐnjí bìyùn wán”)

According to feedback from a member, the morning-after pill is available in most pharmacies without a prescription for NT$ 300 (just under €10).

Uruguay – “Pastilla del día después”

As in all Latin American countries, the use of the morning-after pill is controversial in Uruguay. However, it’s available over the counter in public hospitals.

In pharmacies, the pill costs around €5.