Misplaced Pages

The legality of prostitution in Europe varies by country.

Some countries outlaw the act of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for money, while others allow prostitution itself, but not most forms of procuring (such as operating brothels, facilitating the prostitution of another, deriving financial gain from the prostitution of another, soliciting/loitering).

In 10 European countries (Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, and Turkey), prostitution is legal and regulated.

Belgium became the first country in Europe to decriminalize sex work since 1 June 2022.

The degree of enforcement of the anti-prostitution laws varies by country, by region, and by city. In many places, there is a big discrepancy between the laws which exist on the books and what happens in practice.

Depending on the country, various prostitution-related activities may be prohibited (where a specific law forbids such activity), decriminalized (where there is no specific law either forbidding or allowing and regulating the activity), or regulated (where a specific law explicitly allows and regulates the activity if certain conditions are met). Activities which are subject to the prostitution laws include: selling and buying sexual services, soliciting in public places, running brothels, deriving financial gain from the prostitution of another, offering premises to be used for prostitution etc. Often, the prostitution laws are not clear-cut, and are subject to interpretation, leading to many legal loopholes. While the policy regarding adult prostitution differs by country, child prostitution is illegal throughout Europe. Similarly, human trafficking, forced prostitution, and other abusive activities are also prohibited.

The legal and social treatment of prostitution differs widely by country. Very permissive prostitution policies exist in the Netherlands and Germany, and these countries are major destinations for international sex tourism. Amsterdam's prostitution windows are famous all over the world. In Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Northern Ireland, France and Ireland, it is illegal to pay for sex, but not to be a prostitute (the client commits a crime, but not the prostitute). Other countries which have restrictive prostitution policies and officially affirm an anti-prostitution stance are Great Britain, Denmark and Finland. In countries such as Spain, Italy, and the Czech Republic, attitudes are more laissez-faire and tolerant, but prostitution is not officially recognized as a job, and not officially and legally regulated, and pimping is forbidden.

Central-Eastern Europe

Armenia

Armenia
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution in Armenia is illegal under administrative law (Article 179.1). Related activities such as running a brothel and pimping are prohibited by the Criminal Code, although there are known to be brothels in the capital, Yerevan, and in Gyumri. According to UNESCO, since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, prostitution in the country has grown. There are about 5,600 women involved in prostitution in Armenia, roughly 1,500 of them are in Yerevan. However, official police figures are far lower, for example 240 in 2012. Police and other safety forces reportedly tolerate prostitution. Many women turn to prostitution due to unemployment.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution in Azerbaijan is illegal but common. Prostitution is an administrative offence and punishable by a fine. Keeping a brothel is a criminal offence and punishable by up to 6 years imprisonment. In 2017 a draft law proposing to add heavy fines to the punishment for keeping a brothel was before the National Assembly. It has been estimated that there are 25,054 prostitutes in Azerbaijan, some of which are aged 15 – 18.

Belarus

Belarus
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution is illegal in Belarus but commonplace and is an administrative, rather than criminal, offence. Running a brothel is forbidden and engaging in other means of pimping are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. UNAIDS estimated there were 22,000 sex workers in Belarus in 2016.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal

Prostitution itself is legal, but organised prostitution (brothels, prostitution rings, or other forms of procuring) is prohibited. Because of poor socioeconomic conditions, a high number of Romani women are involved in prostitution.

Bulgaria originally gained a reputation as a transit country for human trafficking, but subsequently, it has become known as a destination where the sex trade takes place.

The Bulgarian government has stepped up its efforts to eradicate human trafficking. The sex trade is a major source of income for Bulgarian criminals. In 2013 there were 20,000 Bulgarian prostitutes working abroad and this was a source of foreign exchange earnings for Bulgaria. In the past, the Bulgarian government considered fully legalizing and regulating prostitution.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

In the Czech Republic, prostitution is legal, but brothels and other forms of procuring are prohibited. The enforcement of these laws is lax, and prostitution and other activities which surround it are very common in the country.

Ever since the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia in 1989 led to the creation of the two independent states Czech Republic and Slovakia, prostitution has been flourishing, and has contributed its share to the region's booming tourist economy. It is widespread in Prague and areas near the Republic's borders with Germany and Austria. In 2002, the Czech Statistical Bureau estimated the trade to be worth six billion Czech koruna ($217 million) a year.

Georgia

Georgia (country)
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

In Georgia, prostitution is illegal but widespread, particularly in the capital, Tbilisi. Many NGO's attribute this to the harsh economic conditions according to the US State Department. Prostitution occurs on the streets, in bars, nightclubs, hotels and brothels. UNAIDS estimate there are 6,525 prostitutes in Georgia.

The Black Sea resorts, especially Gonio, become a sex tourism destination in the summer months. many prostitutes, mainly Central Asian and from the North Caucasus come to the area. Due to the close proximity of the Turkish border, and no visa requirements for Turks, many men from Turkey come to the area to find prostitutes.

Hungary

Hungary
Prostitution legal and regulated Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal

Prostitution is legal and regulated in Hungary. (It has been legalized and regulated by the government since 1999.) Under the law, prostitutes are professionals who engage in sexual activities in exchange for money. The government allows this activity as long as they pay taxes and keep legal documents.

In 2007, the prostitution and pornography industry in Hungary was estimated by Hungary's tax authority APEH to generate $1 billion annually.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

In Kazakhstan prostitution itself is legal, but acts facilitating prostitution, such as operating a brothel or prostitution ring, are illegal. Forced prostitution and prostitution connected to organized crime are prohibited. NGOs reported that criminal prostitution rings often included local law enforcement officials.

Estimates of the number of prostitutes in Kazakhstan vary from 4,000 and 25.000, including a number from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

Sex workers often face harassment, extortion, arbitrary arrest, rape and violence from the police.

Moldova

Moldova
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution in Moldova is an illegal activity but is widespread and socially acceptable.

Morals Police captain Vladimir Istrati is quoted as saying "Prostitution in Moldova is a very well organised crime, there is a precise structure of operation which includes secretary, office, and owner." The secretary is hard to file evidence against because they are most likely to conceal their true activity behind offering exotic services over the phone. Nailing down prostitutes and pimps is easier."

Poland

Poland
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

In Poland prostitution is legal, but operating brothels or other forms of pimping or coercive prostitution and prostitution of minors are prohibited, as is living off someone else's prostitution.

Prostitution is present in various forms in the country and a 2007 US State Department report stated that many women who worked as prostitutes were employed in massage parlors and escort services that functioned as brothels, although technically illegal. Prostitution is the only profession in Poland that is not taxed, but sex workers may be asked by authorities to prove that is what they do, since prostitution is not recognized as legitimate work, and therefore receive no social benefits.

Romania

Romania
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution in Romania is not itself criminalized, although associated activities, such as procuring, are criminal offenses, and solicitation is a contravention punishable by fines.

Solicitation is an administrative offence (contravenție) punishable by a fine of 500–1500 lei (approximately 110–330 euros as of 2016). The National Police, Local Police and Gendarmes are all responsible for enforcing the laws, although there are reports that law enforcement is corrupt and that police are often violent.

Clients are not prosecuted, unless they knowingly use the services of a victim of forced prostitution, or the prostitute is a minor (Art. 2161).

Article 213 criminalizes procuring; it states that "The causing or facilitation of the practice of prostitution or the obtaining of financial benefits from the practice of prostitution by one or more individuals shall be punishable by no less than 2 and no more than 7 years of imprisonment and a ban on the exercise of certain rights." In certain aggravated circumstances, the punishment increases. The penal code also criminalizes several offenses against slavery, human trafficking, child trafficking, forced labour, and using exploited persons (Art. 182 Exploitation of a person, Art. 209 Slavery, Art. 210 Trafficking in human beings, Art. 211 Trafficking in underage persons, Art. 212 Pressing into forced or compulsory labor, Art. 216 Use of an exploited person's services).

Russia

Russia
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution is an administrative, but not criminal, offence in Russia (such as, for example, drinking beer in a public place or walking nude on the street). The maximum punishment is a fine up to 2000 rubles (~$30); however, organising prostitution or engaging somebody into prostitution is punishable by a prison term.

Slovakia

Slovakia
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution itself is legal, but operating brothels and other activities related to prostitution are prohibited. Public order offences are used against women who work on the streets.

Ukraine

Ukraine
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution is illegal in Ukraine, but is nevertheless widespread and largely ignored by the government. Laws criminalizing organised prostitution and penalties for human trafficking have had little effect because many convicted traffickers often do not end up serving prison time. The economic decline in Ukraine made the nation vulnerable and forced many to depend on prostitution and trafficking as a source of income. Sex tourism rose as the country attracted greater numbers of foreign tourists.

Northern Europe

Denmark

Denmark
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal

In Denmark, prostitution was partly decriminalized in 1999, based partly on the premise that it was easier to police a legal trade than an illegal one. Third-party activities, such as profiting from brothel administration and other forms of procuring, remain illegal activities in Denmark, as do pimping and prostitution of minors.

Faroe Islands

Under Danish Jurisdiction, the legal status of prostitution remains lawful. However, there is no evidence of organised prostitution within the self-governing territory.

Estonia

Estonia
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal

Prostitution in Estonia is legal in itself, but organized prostitution is illegal. Since prostitution is a sensitive indicator that develops with changes in the social environment and the state, it is useful to divide the history of this phenomenon from Estonia's first independence according to the different historical stages of the country.

Firstly, the period of Estonian independence 1918–1940, when the prostitution in Estonia was legalized. Secondly, the period of the Soviet occupation when prostitution was criminalized. Thirdly, since Estonian new independence when prostitution is neither criminalized nor legalized (that is, the selling of and buying of a sexual service is not a crime but prostitution is not considered a profession either).

Finland

Finland
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution itself is legal in Finland (soliciting in a public place is illegal), but organised prostitution, operating a brothel or a prostitution ring, and other forms of pimping) is illegal. In June 2006, parliament voted by 158 to 15 with four abstentions to approve a bill which outlaws the buying of sexual services from prostitutes if it is linked to human trafficking. According to a recent TAMPEP study, 69% of prostitutes are foreigners. As of 2009, there was little "visible" prostitution in Finland, as it was mostly limited to private residences and nightclubs in larger metropolitan areas.

Iceland

Iceland
Prostitution legal Buying sex illegal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Paying for sex is illegal in Iceland (the client commits a crime, but the prostitute does not). The police have stated that they do not have the resources to enforce the law. Consequently, a vigilante group called "Stóra systir" ("Big Sister") has been formed.

A report published in 2017 by the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police states that prostitution had "exploded" in the previous 18 months. The vast majority of prostitutes in the country are foreign. Police believe prostitution in Iceland is partially tied to organised crime and human trafficking.

The country has become a sex tourism destination.

Ireland

Ireland
Prostitution legal Buying sex illegal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution itself is legal in Ireland, however since March 2017, it has been an offence to buy sex. Third party involvement such as operating brothels, and other forms of pimping, are also illegal. Although the 2017 law criminalising clients was designed to reduce the demand for prostitution, the law has had little effect.

Most prostitution in Ireland occurs indoors and is advertised via the internet. Street prostitution has declined considerably.

Latvia

Latvia
Prostitution legal and regulated Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution is legal and regulated in Latvia. Prostitutes must register, must undergo monthly health checks, and must carry a health card; if they fail to do so, they can be penalized. Although prostitution is regulated in Latvia, brothels and other forms of procuring are illegal. According to the law, "Any activity of the third person which promotes prostitution is prohibited", and, "Persons are prohibited to join in groups in order to offer and provide sexual services".

Lithuania

Lithuania
Prostitution illegal Buying sex illegal

Prostitution in Lithuania is illegal, but it is common. Law enforcement is weak, corrupt and is reputedly connected to organised crime. It is estimated that there are 3,000 prostitutes in the capital Vilnius. Many of them are foreign, predominantly Russian, but there are also significant numbers from Belarus, Ukraine and Poland. Street prostitution, including underage prostitutes, is generally controlled by criminal elements.

Norway

Norway
Prostitution legal Buying sex illegal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Paying for sex is illegal (the client commits a crime, but the prostitute does not). This law prohibiting the buying of sexual services (sexkjøpsloven) came into effect on 1 January 2009, following the passing of new legislation by the Storting in November 2008. Soliciting and advertising "sexual services" is also illegal under the Norwegian Criminal Code (Straffeloven) section 378 and section 202(3).

In 2013, it was estimated there were 3,000 sex workers working in Norway (population 5 million). Earnings from sex trade are estimated at 390 million kroner (£39m, $US63m, €48m).

Sweden

Sweden
Prostitution legal Buying sex illegal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Paying for sex is illegal (the client commits a crime, but not the prostitute). The Sex Purchase Act (Not an act of its own, but rather an amendment to the criminal code, commonly knows as Sexköpslagen), which makes it illegal to pay for sex, but not to be a prostitute, was adopted in 1999, and was then unique. Since then, similar laws have been passed in Norway and Iceland.

The rationale underpinning the law was the view that prostitution was a form of violence against women so the crime consists in the customer paying for sex, not in the prostitute selling sexual services. This 'rationale' sees the seller of sex as the exploited partner in the exchange.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal except in Northern Ireland Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

In Great Britain, prostitution itself is legal, but a number of related activities, including soliciting in a public place, kerb crawling, keeping a brothel, pimping, and pandering, are outlawed.

The Policing and Crime Act 2009 makes it illegal to pay for sex with a prostitute who has been "subjected to force", and this is a strict liability offence (clients can be prosecuted even if they didn't know the prostitute was forced).

In Northern Ireland, which previously had similar laws to the rest of the United Kingdom, paying for sex became a crime when the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 was enacted in January 2015.

Guernsey

Prostitution in Guernsey is legal, but related activities such as solicitation and brothel keeping are prohibited. At the end of the 19th century prostitution was common in Guernsey, especially in St Peter Port where around 500 soldiers were garrisoned. A large number of the prostitutes were French.

Isle of Man

Prostitution is legal in the Isle of Man but related activities such as soliciting, procuring and brothel keeping are prohibited by the Sexual Offences Act 1992.

There are few prostitutes permanently on the Isle of Man, most visiting the island on short term "tours". A man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of committing prostitution offences in Douglas in 2013. A police spokesman said this was "an unusual and rare incident."

Jersey

Prostitution in Jersey is legal, but related activities such as keeping a brothel are outlawed. Following a consultation period from 1 September 2017 and 13 October 2017, the Home Affairs Minister approved a new draft Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law to be debated in the Assembly of the States of Jersey. The draft law does not criminalise prostitution, but consolidates previous legislation on related activities.

In 2015 it was estimated there were 35–40 prostitutes in Jersey. Most visit the island for short periods and work from hotels.

Southern Europe

Albania

Albania
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution in Albania is illegal but widespread.

Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, prostitution in Albania was virtually unknown. The migration from rural areas to the cities, and economic problems that followed the collapse caused some women to turn to prostitution.

Street prostitution occurs near the centre of the capital, Tirana, mainly by Roma men and women. Some students work as prostitutes from hotels or motels in Tirana and other big cities. Brothels also found in the cities.

Andorra

Andorra
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution in Andorra is illegal.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution in Bosnia and Herzegovina is legal, but related activities such as solicitation and keeping a brothel are illegal. The law treats procuring as a major crime. Under the law, trafficking is a state-level crime that carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. In 2016, UNAIDS estimated there to be 4,000 prostitutes in the country.

Croatia

Croatia
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution in Croatia is illegal, but common. Forcible prostitution, any kind of brothels, or procuring are treated as felony, while voluntary prostitution is considered to be infraction against public order (for prostitutes only; clients are not in violation of law). As in other Southeast European countries, the problem of human trafficking for the purposes of sex is a concern in Croatia. However, according to the United States Department of State, Croatia was a tier 1 country as of 2011, actively working to prevent the sex trade. As of 2021 report, Croatia has been placed in tier 2 since 2013.

Cyprus

Cyprus
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal

The law does not prohibit prostitution itself, but operating brothels, organizing prostitution rings, living off the profits of prostitution, encouraging prostitution or forcing a person to engage in prostitution are illegal activities.

Cyprus has been criticised by the US State Department for failing to control the flow of illegal immigrants and legal to be involved in forced prostitution. Cyprus has gained a reputation for being a major transit point for people smugglers to transport women for the purposes of prostitution. International observers have criticized the government for its lack of action to prevent forced prostitution. The law of Cyprus forbids forced (but not voluntary) prostitution. However, it is believed that many immigrants are hired as barmaids and coerced into prostitution by this method.

Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognised as a separate state by Turkey. Prostitution is illegal, however in nightclubs, "konsomatrices", who sit with, eat with or entertain customers for money are allowed. Konsomatrices are not allowed to have sex with customers, but this restriction is frequently flouted. Enforcement is generally lax, but in July 2006 the Nicosia District Court ordered the first prostitution-related imprisonment. After pleading no contest to the charges, the manager of Mexico nightclub, Mesut Kilicarslan, was sentenced to 15 days in prison for encouraging and profiting from prostitution. By the year's end three more suspects were sentenced to imprisonment for encouraging and profiting from prostitution.

Northern Cyprus has become a destination for sex tourism.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution is illegal in Gibraltar, as are related activities. Prior to its abolition in 1992 prostitution was concentrated in the red-light district of Seruya's Ramp.

Greece

Greece
Prostitution legal and regulated Buying sex legal Brothels legal and regulated Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution is legal at the age of 18. Persons engaged in prostitution must register at the local prefecture and carry a medical card that is updated every two weeks. Greek authorities decided to implement a 1999 law which stipulates that all brothels must have permits. It is estimated that fewer than 1,000 women are legally employed as prostitutes and approximately 20,000 women, most of foreign origin, are engaged in illegal prostitution. According to NGO estimates, there are 13,000-14,000 trafficking victims in the country at any given time. Major countries of origin for trafficking victims include Nigeria, Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria, Moldova and Belarus.

Italy

Italy
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation legal in certain areas

In Italy, prostitution, defined as the exchange of sexual acts for money, is legal, although organized prostitution, whether indoors in brothels or controlled by third parties, is prohibited. Brothels were banned in 1958. Individual sex workers working from apartments are "tolerated". Loitering is permitted, but soliciting ("unabashedly inviting clients on the street") is illegal. Migrants with work or residence permits may work in sex work, and police cannot revoke residence permits and begin deportation procedures, as they tried failing by the Italian laws.

A 2008 report stated that were some 100,000 prostitutes in Italy. In 2007 it was stated that the total number of workers was 70,000. The Italian Statistics Institute stated the number of street workers in 1998 was 50,000.

A euphemism often used to refer to prostitutes in Italy is Lucciole (lit. "fireflies").

Kosovo

Kosovo
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution in Kosovo is illegal, and can incur a prison sentence of up to sixty days. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria's HIV Program in Kosovo estimated there to be 5,037 prostitutes in the country. Many women turn to prostitution through poverty. There are report that prostitution has become a new organised crime in Kosovo.

Prior to the Kosovo War following the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence, prostitution was limited to serving the needs of locals. Following the ceasefire and presence in the country of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and other international organisations, the demand for prostitution soared. As well as women turning to prostitution voluntarily, some were trafficked from Moldova, Bulgaria and Ukraine.

Malta

Malta
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution itself is legal, but certain activities connected with it, such as running a brothel and loitering, are not. Certain offences are punishable by sentences of up to two years in prison.

In March 2008, police and the Ministry for Social Policy signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize a screening process for all arrested persons engaged in prostitution to determine whether they were victims of trafficking or other abuses. The law provides punishments of up to 6 years for involving minors in prostitution.

Montenegro

Montenegro
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution in Montenegro is illegal.

Montenegro is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking. Victims of sex trafficking identified in Montenegro are primarily women and girls from Montenegro, neighbouring Balkan countries, and, to a lesser extent, other countries in Eastern Europe. Sex trafficking victims are exploited in hospitality facilities, bars, restaurants, night clubs, and cafes.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution in North Macedonia is legal, though with various restrictions, and common. UNAIDS estimated that there were 3588 prostitutes in the country in 2016. In 2003 North Macedonia's government was reported to be trying to reduce sex trafficking.

STAR-STAR (an association for the support of marginalised workers) is a sex-worker-led support group. Its executive board is exclusively made up of sex workers. STAR-STAR was the first sex workers' collective in the Balkans.

The country is a major transit point for prostitution to the west. In 2003 it was reported that the trafficking of women from the Balkans to Western Europe for sex was worth billions of dollars, with the beneficiaries including the Albanian National Liberation Army in North Macedonia.

Portugal

Portugal
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal

In Portugal, prostitution itself is legal, but it is illegal for a third party to profit from, promote, encourage or facilitate the prostitution of another. Consequently, organized prostitution (brothels, prostitution rings or other forms of pimping) is prohibited. Forced prostitution and human trafficking are also illegal.

In the mid-2000s, the number of female prostitutes was estimated at 28,000, of which at least 50% were foreigners.

San Marino

San Marino
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution in San Marino is illegal, and is not commonplace.

Serbia

Serbia
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution in Serbia is illegal, and can incur a prison sentence of up to 30 days, and up to 60 days for minors. Pimping is illegal and can incur a prison sentence of between 6 months and 5 years, and between 1 and 10 years for pimping minors. UNAIDS estimate there to be 3,901 prostitutes in the country.

Following a large police action against prostitution in Belgrade's major hotels in late September 2017, Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Branko Ružić voiced support for legalizing and regulating prostitution. Serbian Radical Party president Vojislav Šešelj supported the proposal, under the condition that prostitutes undergo regular health checks for sexually transmitted diseases.

Slovenia

Slovenia
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution in Slovenia was decriminalised in June 2003. Forcing others into prostitution is an offence under Article 175 of the Criminal Code.

Spain

Spain
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal in certain areas

Prostitution itself is legal in Spain, but pimping is not. Owning an establishment where prostitution takes place is legal if the owner neither derives financial gain from prostitution nor hires any person for the purposes of selling sex, because prostitution is not considered a job, and has no legal recognition. Most places do not regulate prostitution, but the government of Catalonia offers licenses for persons "to gather people to practice prostitution". These licenses are used by brothel owners to open 'clubs', where prostitution takes place (the women are theoretically only 'gathered' to work on the premises not employed by the owner). Some places have implemented fines for street prostitution.

Turkey

Turkey
Prostitution legal and regulated Buying sex legal Brothels legal and regulated Procuring illegal Condoms mandatory

In Turkey, prostitution is legal and regulated. Prostitutes must register and acquire an ID card stating the dates of their health checks. Also, it is mandatory for registered prostitutes to have regular health checks for sexually transmitted diseases. The police are allowed to check the authenticity of registered prostitutes to determine whether they have been examined properly and to ensure they see the health authorities if they don't. Men cannot register under this regulation. Most sex workers, however, are unregistered, as local governments have made it a policy not to issue new registrations. As a result, most sex workers in Turkey are not registered sex workers, working in violation of the law. Turkey is listed by the UNODC as one of the top destinations for victims of human trafficking.

Vatican City

Vatican City
Prostitution illegal Buying sex illegal

Prostitution in Vatican City is illegal and is not commonplace.

Western Europe

Austria

Austria
Prostitution legal and regulated Buying sex legal Brothels legal and regulated Procuring illegal

Prostitution in Austria is legal and regulated under the penal code (Strafgesetzbuch), under Zehnter Abschnitt Strafbare Handlungen gegen die sexuelle Integrität und Selbstbestimmung (§§ 201-220b) (Part Ten: Offences against sexual integrity and self-determination (§ § 201-220b)). Most sex workers are migrants. According to a 2010 TAMPEP study, 78% of sex workers in Austria are foreigners.

Although sex work itself is not forbidden, Section 207bSexueller Missbrauch von Jugendlichen (Sexual abuse of juveniles) allows for prosecution of clients of workers younger than 18. Additional restrictions are specified in § 214 to 217. Medical examinations are required by the AIDS and STD laws. The laws of the federal States of Austria place further restrictions on the times and places where prostitution may occur. The most restrictive law is that of Vorarlberg, where prostitution is legal only in licensed brothels and to date no such licenses have been issued.

Belgium

Belgium
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels legal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution is decriminalized in Belgium since 1 June 2022, but the law prohibits pimping or assisting immigration for the purpose of prostitution. However, in practice enforcement can be lax and "unofficial" brothels are tolerated (for example in Antwerp). Human trafficking or exploiting individuals for financial gain is punishable for a maximum prison sentence of 30 years. A recent report by RiskMonitor foundation states that 80% of the prostitutes who work as windows prostitutes in Belgium are from Bulgaria. Belgium is listed by the UNODC as a top destination for victims of human trafficking. Many sex workers organisations feel that the present grey area in which prostitution operates leaves sex workers vulnerable to exploitation.

A report commissioned by the National Bank of Belgium, estimated a turnover of 840 million Euro in 2015. The most important segments of the market seem to be escort and private prostitution, rather than the more visible forms of window or street prostitution.

France

France
Prostitution legal Buying sex illegal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution in France (the exchange of sexual acts for money) was legal until April 2016, but several surrounding activities were illegal, like operating a brothel, living off the avails (pimping), and paying for sex with someone under the age of 18 (the age of consent for sex is 15). On 6 April 2016, the French National Assembly voted to punish customers of prostitutes by a fine of €1500. The law has been evaluated as a failure, putting sex workers in danger, reducing prices, and decreasing condom use among their clients.

In the Napoleonic era, France became the model for the regulatory approach to prostitution. In the 20th century, however, a policy shift became apparent. Brothels became illegal in 1946, and France signed the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others in 1960. France thus became a major supporter of the international abolitionist movement for the eradication of prostitution.

Germany

Germany
Prostitution legal and regulated Buying sex legal Brothels legal and regulated Procuring illegal Solicitation restricted Condoms mandatory

Prostitution in Germany is legal, as are all aspects of the sex industry, including brothels, advertisement, and job offers through HR companies. Full-service sex work is widespread and regulated by the German government, which levies taxes on it. In 2002, the government changed the law in an effort to improve the legal situation of sex workers. However, the social stigmatization of sex work persists and many workers continue to lead a double life.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein
Prostitution illegal Buying sex legal

Prostitution in Liechtenstein is illegal, but is tolerated by the police as long as it is not street prostitution.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation restricted

Prostitution itself is legal in Luxembourg, but activities associated with organised prostitution, such as profiting from (operating brothels and prostitution rings) or aiding prostitution, are illegal. Human trafficking incurs severe penalties. There are estimated to be 300 prostitutes in Luxembourg, most of whom are immigrants.

Street prostitution is only permitted in two streets near Luxembourg City's railway station, and only between 20:00 and 03:00. The area is regulated by the city authorities, and patrolled regularly by the police. Prostitutes working outside these streets or outside the permitted times may be arrested and fined up to €2,500. Because of the number of prostitutes and limited area to work in, some work from other streets near the legalised area and risk being arrested.

Monaco

Monaco
Prostitution legal Buying sex legal Brothels illegal Procuring illegal Solicitation illegal

Prostitution itself is legal in Monaco, but organized prostitution (brothels, prostitution rings and other forms of pimping) is prohibited. Solicitation is also illegal. Forcing another person into prostitution is illegal, with penalties from six months to three years of imprisonment, plus a fine. A husband who forces his wife to engage in prostitution can be sentenced to one to five years of imprisonment plus a fine.

Prostitution takes place most commonly in hotels, bars and nightclubs.

Netherlands

Netherlands
Prostitution legal and regulated Buying sex legal Brothels legal and regulated Solicitation legal

Prostitution is legal and regulated in the Netherlands. Operating a brothel is also legal. From 1 January 2022, a customer will be punished if they purchase a sexual service from a sex worker of whom they know or have serious reason to suspect that there is coercion, exploitation or human trafficking. In the last few years, a significant number of brothels and "windows" have been closed because of suspected criminal activity. De Wallen, the largest and best-known red-light district in Amsterdam, is a destination for international sex tourism. In an attempt to fight abuse, the minimum age for prostitutes was raised from 18 to 21 years.

Prostitution is concentrated in and around the big cities and in the border towns in the regions of Limburg, Groningen, Twente, West Brabant and Zeeland. Prostitution occurs in various forms: 'window' and street prostitution, clubs, escort agencies, and home-based prostitution. 'Window' prostitution occurs in 12 cities in the Netherlands. It is estimated that on average some 2,000 prostitutes are engaged daily in this form of prostitution. Street prostitution exists in 10 Dutch cities and involves on average some 320 prostitutes daily. Between 3,500 and 4,000 prostitutes are employed daily in 600–700 clubs and private brothels. The extent of other forms of prostitution such as escort agencies and home-based prostitution is much more difficult to estimate. Home-based prostitution occurs in at least 17 municipalities and escort agencies exist in at least 28 municipalities.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all legally operating brothels in the Netherlands were closed on 15 March 2020, based on emergency orders per police district. Since the Dutch government failed to provide financial compensation for sex workers (especially those who have always paid taxes through the 'opting-in'-system), many of them were forced to continue to work, turning to illegal home-based prostitution. Christian politicians in Dutch parliament claimed they wanted to help women to escape from exploitation, but sex workers' unions angrily responded that they don't want to be 'saved' by people who would like to forbid prostitution again. The temporary ban on prostitution in the Netherlands will be lifted on 1 July 2020, but could be reinstated later, at any time a serious coronavirus outbreak would occur.

• Sex theater in De Wallen
• De Wallen, Amsterdam's red-light district
• Locals and tourists visiting De Wallen
• Scene from Amsterdam's red light district

Switzerland

Switzerland
Prostitution legal and regulated Buying sex legal Brothels legal and regulated Procuring illegal Solicitation legal in designated areas

Full-service sex work in Switzerland is legal and regulated; it has been legal since 1942. Trafficking, forcing people into prostitution and most forms of pimping are illegal. Licensed brothels, typically with a reception and leading to several studio apartments, are available. One estimate puts the number of street sex workers in Zurich at 5000.

In recent years the number of full-service sex workers has increased. Many workers operate using newspaper advertisements, mobile phones and secondary rented apartments, some accept credit cards.

See also

• Prostitution by region
• Prostitution law
• Nordic Model approach to prostitution

References

1. "LOI – WET". www.ejustice.just.fgov.be. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
2. "Nordic Model". Human Rights Lawyers. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
3. ^ "Prostitution statistics in Armenia". Retrieved 24 December 2016.
4. ^ Ditmore, Melissa Hope (2006). Encyclopedia of prostitution and sex work. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. p. 90. ISBN 978-0313329685.
5. "Republic of Armenia Law Enforcement Anti-Trafficking Training Needs Assessment". Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. December 2007. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
6. ^ "The Legal Status of Prostitution by Country". Charts Bin. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
7. "Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia" (PDF). National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
8. Dudwick, Nora; Gomart, Elizabeth; Marc, Alexandre; Kuehnast, Kathleen (2003). When things fall apart : qualitative studies of poverty in the former Soviet Union. Washington, DC: World Bank. p. 138. ISBN 9780821350676.
9. "Proposed to legalize prostitution in Armenia". Report News Agency. 14 June 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
10. ^ "Sex workers: Population size estimate – Number, 2016". www.aidsinfoonline.org. UNAIDS. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
11. ^ "Armenia 2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices". U.S. Department of State. 11 March 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
12. "Armenia: Women Driven into Prostitution". Retrieved 24 December 2016.
13. ^ "The Code of the Azerbaijan Republic On administrative violations" (PDF). National Assembly of Armenia. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
14. "Sex-tourism in Azerbaijan: an Arabian summer". JAM News. 12 September 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
15. "Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic" (PDF). National Assembly of the Azerbaijan Republic. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
16. "Azerbaijan to impose heavy fines for prostitution and gambling". APA Information Agency. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
17. "Prostitution gets younger in Azerbaijan". News AM. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
18. Preiherman, Yauheni (13 June 2012). "Minsk Police Cracks Down On Prostitution in Elite Clubs". BelarusDigest. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
19. "On Amending Certain Codes of the Republic of Belarus to Increase Liability for Human Trafficking and Other Related Offences". Republic of Belarus. April 2003. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
20. ^ "Country Report on Human Rights in Bulgaria". State.gov. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
21. Libby Gomersall (13 August 2007). "Reading Room: Bulgaria's working girls". The Sofia Echo. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
22. "Country Report on Human Rights in Bulgaria". U.S. Department of State. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
23. ^ Elena Kodinova (4 September 2003). "Fighting the Sex Trade". sofiaecho.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
24. David Binder (3 March 2004). "Country report: Bulgaria". NBC News. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
25. Madslien, Jorn (12 May 2005). "Sex trade's reliance on forced labour". BBC News. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
26. "Crime gangs make billions from Bulgaria sex slaves". Reuters. 12 December 2007.
27. Georgi Papakochev (26 March 2014). "Thank God For Bulgarians Abroad". novinite.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015 – via Deutsche Welle.
28. Nicholas Kulish (5 October 2007). "Bulgaria moves away from legalising prostitution". International Herald Tribune. Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
29. Mark McDaid (8 March 2013). "Legal age for prostitution raised in Amsterdam". IamExpat. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
30. Morrison, Thea (11 January 2017). "PM Addresses Alleged Prostitution and Discrimination at Tbilisi Nightclubs". Georgia Today on the Web. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
31. "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Georgia". State.gov. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
32. "Georgia". SWAN. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
33. Mielnikiewicz, Justyna; Rimple, Paul (1 August 2014). "Georgia: Teenage Prostitution Part of a Bigger Problem". Eurasianet. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
34. Kharshiladze, Giorgi; Ghudushauri, Giorgi (15 January 2015). "No comment – What happens outside Tbilisi's brothels". GeorgianJournal. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
35. Imedaishvili, Nata (8 July 2012). "Locals Helpless As Sex Tourism Hits Georgian Black Sea Village". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
36. Gorondi, Pablo (24 September 2007). "Hungary Gives Permits to Prostitutes". Washington Post. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
37. "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Kazakhstan". US Department of State. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
38. ^ Emrich-Bakenova, Saule (18 August 2016). "Kazakhstan: Sex Workers Call for Legalization of Prostitution". EurasiaNet. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
39. Aliya (28 August 2007). "Prostitution in Kazakhstan: abuse and risk". SWAN. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
40. ^ "Sex Work Law – Countries". Sexuality, Poverty and Law. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
41. ^ Mamaliga, Ludmila. "Prostitution: Prosperous Purgatory". Welcome Moldova. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
42. Browne, Anthony (2 December 2001). "Drugs push scarred land to the brink". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
43. Kodeks Karny Art. 204.
44. Izdebski Z, Boron-Kaczmarska A; International Conference on AIDS. New prostitution phenomena in Poland. Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 1159-60 (abstract no. 60869) Archived 11 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine
45. "2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Poland". US State Department. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
46. "Poles claim 'prostitution'- for tax purposes. Warsaw Business Journal Feb 14 2011".
47. "Romania". SWAN. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
48. ^ "Art. 216 Noul Cod Penal Folosirea serviciilor unei persoane exploatate Traficul şi exploatarea persoanelor vulnerabile".
49. "Art. 213 Noul Cod Penal Proxenetismul Traficul şi exploatarea persoanelor vulnerabile".
50. "Noul Cod Penal actualizat 2017 – Legea 286/2009". legeaz.net. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
51. "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in the Slovak Republic". State.gov. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
52. ^ "US Department of State: Ukraine". State.gov. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
53. "Appendix I" (PDF). Theadvocatesforhumanrights.org. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
54. Antonova, Natalia (24 April 2012). "Welcome to Kiev: city of beautiful women and a prospering sex industry". The Guardian. London.
55. "Country Reports on Human Rights 2007: Denmark". US State Department. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
56. "The battle against sex trafficking: Sweden vs. Denmark". CNN. 30 March 2011. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
57. "Prostitution in Estonia" (PDF). EQUAL. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2011.
58. "Jafnréttisstofa". Jafnretti.is. 21 April 2009. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
59. "Big Sister Watches Buyers of Prostitution in Iceland". Iceland Review. 19 October 2011.
60. ^ "Organized Crime and Prostitution on the rise in Iceland". Iceland Monitor. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
61. Hafstað, Vala (26 August 2015). "Sex Tourism a Problem in Iceland". Iceland Review. Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
62. "Tourism pushing up demand for sex workers in Iceland". Iceland Monitor. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
63. Edwards, Elaine (27 March 2017). "Minister for Justice signs new laws on sexual offences". The Irish Times. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
64. "Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1993". electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB).
65. Farrell, Alan (25 January 2015). "Opinion: Buying a woman's body for sexual gratification is not a harmless act". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
66. MacNamee, Garreth (23 February 2018). "Buying sex has been illegal in Ireland for one year but 'very little' has changed". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
67. Gallagher, Conor (29 July 2017). "'It's clearly a brothel, yet nothing can be done'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
68. ^ Regulations Regarding Restriction of Prostitution (doc) (Regulation 32). 22 January 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
69. ^ "100 Countries and Their Prostitution Policies". Procon. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
70. ^ "Lithuania". International Policy Fellowship. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
71. Chaplinskas, S.; Mårdh, P. A. (2001). "Characteristics of Vilnius street prostitutes". International Journal of STD & AIDS. 12 (3): 176–180. doi:10.1258/0956462011916983. PMID 11231871. S2CID 22094445.
72. "New Norway law bans buying of sex. BBC News Jan 1 2009". BBC News. 1 January 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
73. The sale of sexual services in Norway: legal, but still illegal? Sunniva Schultze-Florey. Nordic Prostitution Policy Reform. 7 July 2011 Archived 26 December 2013 at archive.today
74. NRK (5 February 2014). "Sexarbeider tapte parole-kampen".
75. ^ "A taxing issue for Norway's sex workers". Independent.co.uk. 6 October 2013.
76. Population per 1 January 2013 and population changes in 2012. Counties SSB, retrieved 14 September 2013
77. Jean-Michel. "Sweden Treating Prostitution as Violence Against Women". Sisyphe.org. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
78. "Chapter 6 of the Swedish Penal Code 1962:700". Sweden.gov.se. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
79. Casciani, Dominic (19 November 2008). "Q&A: UK Prostitution Laws". BBC News. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
80. "Policing and Crime Act 2009". Opsi.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
81. "Policing and Crime | UK | Anti-trafficking | Exploitation | Sex Industry | The Naked Anthropologist". Nodo50.org. 6 April 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
82. "Human Trafficking Bill receives Royal Assent". BBC News. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
83. "The Summary Offences (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1982". Guernsey Legal Resources. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
84. "Ordonnance relative aux Maisons de Prostitution et aux Prostituées – [1906]". Guernsey Legal Resources. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
85. "Sexual Offences Act 1992" (PDF). Isle of Man Legislation. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
86. "Pair arrested over prostitution offences | Isle of Man News :: isleofman.com". IsleOfMan.com. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
87. ^ "Jersey hotels warned of the signs of prostitution". ITV News. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
88. "Prostitution laws 'could be updated'". BBC News. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
89. ^ "Fall in number of prostitutes advertising in Jersey". Jersey Evening Post. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
90. "Sexual Offences Draft Law". Information and public services for the Island of Jersey. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
91. "Consultation draft – Sexual Offences (Jersey) Act" (PDF). Information and public services for the Island of Jersey. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
92. ^ "Sex Work in Albania – an Overview". SWAN. 1 October 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
93. "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Andorra". State.gov. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
94. "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina". State.gov. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
95. "Trafficking in Persons Report 2011". U.S. Department of State. 2011. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
96. "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Croatia". United States Department of State. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
97. Leviev-Sawyer, Clive (17 June 2008). "Mixed results against people trafficking in South-Eastern Europe". SofiaEcho.com. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
98. "Trafficking in Persons Report 2021". U.S. Department of State. 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
99. ^ "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Cyprus". State.gov. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
100. "Cyprus's Struggle with the Sex Trade". YouTube. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
101. Rodrígueza, Leopoldo; Güven-Lisaniler, Fatma; Uðural, Sevin. "Sex Work and State Regulations in North Cyprus". The Pennsylvania State University. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.691.6938.
102. "Sex tourism is booming in Northern Cyprus". Cyprus Updates. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
103. "Crimes Act 2011" (PDF). HM Government of Gibraltar. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
104. Chipulina, Neville. "The People of Gibraltar – 1885 – James Joyce – Molly Bloom's Gibraltar – Part 3". Gibraltar Intro. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
105. "Greece: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices". U.S. Department of State. 31 March 2003. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
106. ^ "2008 Human Rights Report: Greece". State.gov. 25 February 2009. Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
107. "Albanians muscling in on Greek prostitutes". CNN. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
108. "Government set to approve anti-prostitution bill". Italy Magazine. 10 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
109. in: Hot Issues (26 January 2007). "70,000 Prostitutes in Italy". Impact Lab.
110. "Italy preparing to punish prostitutes and their clients". Stranitalia.com. 13 September 2008.
111. A D'Antuono; F Andalò; E M Carlà; S De Tommaso (2 February 2001). "Prevalence of STDs and HIV infection among immigrant sex workers attending an STD centre in Bologna, Italy. D'Antuono A, Andalò F, Carlà EM, De Tommaso S. Sex Transm Infect. 2001 Jun;77(3):220". Sexually Transmitted Infections. 77 (3): 220. doi:10.1136/sti.77.3.220. PMC 1744297. PMID 11402236.
112. "Law on Public Peace and Order" (PDF). Assembly of Republic of Kosovo. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
113. ^ Selmani, Arber (25 June 2016). "How Kosovo's Unregulated Sex Industry is a Danger to Public Health". Balkanist. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
114. "Kosovo: Prostitution As A New Organized Crime Sideline". 21 June 2013.
115. ^ "Kosovo UN troops 'fuel sex trade'". BBC. 6 May 2004. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
116. Attard, Eddie (16 March 2014). "Past laws regulating the oldest profession in Malta". Times of Malta. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
117. ^ "2008 Human Rights Reports: Malta". State.gov. 25 February 2009. Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
118. "Sexual Offences Laws – Malta". interpol.int. Archived from the original on 27 September 2001. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
119. "Montenegro 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
120. ^ "Macedonia". SWAN. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
121. "Sex Slave Racket Clampdown in Macedonia". peacewomen.org. Archived from the original on 25 January 2004. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
122. "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Macedonia". U.S. Department of State. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
123. Gall, Carlotta (28 July 2001). "Macedonia Village Is Center Of Europe Web in Sex Trade – NYTimes.com". New York Times. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
124. David Binder; Preston Mendenhall (10 December 2003). "Sex, drugs and guns in the Balkans". NBC News. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
125. Archivi Archivi del Novecento: Prostitution in Portugal – The legal framework Archived 22 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
126. U.S. Departement of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, 2007 Country Report on Human Rights in Portugal: "Pimping and running brothels are illegal and legally punishable".
127. Nuno Nodin et al. International Encyclopedia of Sexuality: Portugal. 8. Significant Unconventional Sexual Behaviors Archived 16 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine
128. "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Portugal". State.gov. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
129. (in Portuguese) João Saramago, Estrangeiras dominam prazer, Correio da Manhã (17 March 2005)
130. "Sex work and Sexual Exploitation in the European Union – The Situation in Portugal". ex.ac.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
131. "San Marino Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – 2006" (PDF). US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
132. Zorica Lazarević; Miljana Leskovac (3 January 2015). "ISKRENO Ružić za "Blic": Legalizujte prostituciju, političari redovno idu kod prostitutki" [HONESTY Ružić to "Blic": Legalize Prostitution, Politicians go to Prostitutes Rregularly]. Blic (in Serbian).
133. "PROSTITUCIJU U SRBIJI BI TREBALO LEGALIZOVATI! Ministar Branko Ružić otkrio kako da država PROFITIRA OD NAJSTARIJEG ZANATA!" [PROSTITUTION IN SERBIA SHOULD BE LEGALIZED! Minister Branko Ružić reveals how the state would PROFIT FROM IT!]. Informer (in Serbian). 26 September 2017.
134. "RADIKALNO! I ŠEŠELJ JE ZA LEGALIZACIJU PROSTITUCIJE! Lider SRS podržava inicijativu ministra Branka Ružića!" [RADICAL! ŠEŠELJ IS FOR THE LEGALIZATION OF PROSTITUTION! SRS leader supports the initiative of Minister Branko Ružić!]. Informer (in Serbian). 27 September 2017.
135. Ramet, Sabrina P.; Fink-Hafner, Danica, eds. (1 October 2006). Democratic Transition in Slovenia: Value Transformation, Education, and Media. Texas A&M University Press. p. 223.
136. "Criminal Code" (PDF). World Intellectual Property Organization. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
137. "Europe's Brothel – in a Corner of Spain". Buzzle.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
138. "Granada brings in hefty fines for street prostitution". Typicallyspanish.com. 22 October 2009. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
139. "Seville to follow Catalan lead with bid to regulate prostitution". Expatica.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
140. Özaşçılar, Mine; Ziyalar, Neylan (2015). "Framing Prostitution in Turkey: News Media Coverage of Prostitution" (PDF). International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences (IJCJS). Retrieved 16 July 2018.
141. "Turkey: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices". U.S. Department of State. 31 March 2003. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
142. Craig S. Smith (27 June 2005). "Turkey's sex trade entraps Slavic women". International Herald Tribune. Archived from the original on 4 June 2008.
143. ^ "Special Reports | UN highlights human trafficking". BBC News. 26 March 2007. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
144. "Jusline: Strafgesetzbuch (StGB)". Retrieved 18 September 2014.
145. "Sozialistische Jugend Österreich: Prostitution – zwischen Ablehnung, Marginalisierung und Akzeptanz. Interview with Eva van Rahden from SILA" (in German). Socialist Youth Austria. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
146. "EU Observer: Romanian sex workers most prevalent in EU Jan 26 2010". 26 January 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
147. "Sexueller Missbrauch von Jugendlichen". Retrieved 18 September 2014.
148. ^ "Sophie: Laws on Prostitution". Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
149. Landesbestimmungen zur Ausübung der Prostitution (28 June 2007)
150. "Wet decriminalisering sekswerk vanaf 1 juni in voege: "Dit is een overwinning voor de mensenrechten"". DeWereldMorgen.be. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
151. "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Belgium". State.gov. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
152. "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010". U.S. Department of State. 14 June 2010. Archived from the original on 17 June 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
153. Petrunov, Georgi (2009). Sex trafficking and money laundering: the case of Bulgaria (PDF). Risk Monitor. p. 16.
154. "Life In Belgium". Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
155. Murphy, Clare (17 July 2003). "Making Sex Pay". BBC News. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
156. Osborn, Andrew (24 June 2001). "Squalid road that leads to Belgium". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
157. Knox, Noelle (4 November 2003). "In Belgium, brothels are big business". USA Today. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
158. "Belgian Experiment: Make Prostitution Legal to Fight Its Ills". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
159. National Bank of Belgium. "A new measure of the economic importance of prostitution in Belgium" (PDF). Retrieved 3 December 2015.
160. Adriaenssens, Stef; Hendrickx, Jef; Machiels, Thomas; Heylen, Wim (2015). "A direct measure of output in prostitution in Belgium". doi:10.13140/rg.2.1.4868.6807.
161. "Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema on trial over prostitute". 20 January 2014.
162. Prostitution : le Parlement adopte définitivement la pénalisation des clients 'Le Monde', accessed 7 April 2016
163. "Less clients, more risk". La Depeche.
164. Dearden, Lizzie (23 September 2016). "Germany makes having sex with prostitutes without condom illegal". The Independent. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
165. "The Act Regulating the Legal Situation of Prostitutes – implementation, impact, current developments" (PDF). Social Research Institute of Applied Sciences Freiburg. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
166. "Final Report TAMPEP 8, Germany" (PDF), TAMPEP reports, October 2009, archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2011
167. "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Liechtenstein". U.S. Department of State. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
168. "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children – Liechtenstein" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2007. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
169. "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Luxembourg". State.gov. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
170. "A summary of the prostitution regulations in the EU member states" (PDF). www.europarl.europa.eu. European Parliament. Retrieved 13 September 2015. Luxembourg: Procuring is prohibited, and the keeping of brothels. Buying sex from children under 18 is illegal, but prostitution in itself is not criminal.
171. "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Luxembourg". U.S. Department of State. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
172. "How many Prostitutes?". Exeter University. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
173. Schalekamp, Mark (2016). This is Europe. Lulu.com. ISBN 9789081656603.
174. "Sex Work". Services4SexWorkers. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
175. "Monaco". U.S. Department of State.
176. ^ "Prostitution?: Pas de sanction pour les clients". Monaco Hebdo. 24 May 2011.
177. Zaken, Ministerie van Algemene (27 December 2021). "Ben ik strafbaar als klant van een sekswerker die gedwongen werkt? – Rijksoverheid.nl". www.rijksoverheid.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
178. "Red Light District – Age Limits for prostitutes and their clients". DutchAmsterdam.com. 4 August 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
179. "FAQ – Prostitution in the Netherlands | Radio Netherlands Worldwide". Rnw.nl. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
180. ^ McDonald-Gibson, Charlotte (1 August 2011). "Drive-in sex plan to curb prostitutes in Europe's playground". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 8 September 2011.

• Prostitution in Europe
• Sexuality-related lists