The 1933 law, which was adopted after Hitler came to power, prohibits the “promotion” of abortion, which is punishable by “up to two years of imprisonment or a fine”.

Kristina Haenel, a general practitioner, is among those prosecuted in recent years. She became the face of a campaign to ditch the law after she was fined €6,000 (£4,900).

In June 2019, two gynaecologists in Berlin – Bettina Gaber and Verena Weyer – were fined €2,000 for the same offence.

“I’m pleased that taking an informed decision will now be possible,” said Dr Haenel.

There are around 100,000 abortions in Germany every year although the number has declined in recent years.

In some parts of Bavaria there are no hospitals that offer the procedure, with many women choosing instead to travel to Austria.