Europe<\/a> —<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Swiss Criminal Code, which became effective on 1 January 1942, penalizes assistance in suicide out of selfish motives. The Swissgerman original text speaks of \u201cselbsts\u00fcchtig\u201d which also translates into \u201cself-seeking, self-serving\u201d, clarifying that it takes a clearly despicable, egoistic motive. An example would be to deliberately incite a person to commit suicide in order to rid oneself of having to pay financial support for that person; or to do so in order to inherit earlier. If no such reprobate motives are given (e contrario), no offence is done. in Switzerland, euthanasia \u2013 both voluntary or involuntary \u2013 is prohibited. Additional articles in further Codes and court decisions make for the framework of the practice of physician-supported assisted\/accompanied suicide by non-profit member societies like Dignitas and Exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n English (non-official) version of the Swiss Criminal Code (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n —<\/p>\n\n\n\n For around 150 years, in Germany assistance in suicide was not a crime, neither suicide itself. On 10 December 2015, due to conservative-clerical inducement, 360 Parliamentarians of the \u201cBundestag\u201d voted for an article \u00a7 217 Criminal Code \u201cgesch\u00e4ftsm\u00e4ssige F\u00f6rderung der Selbstt\u00f6tung\u201d (\u201cgesch\u00e4tsm\u00e4ssig\u201d translating into and meaning \u201crepated\u201d); de facto a prohibition of all professional and knowledgable advisory work and help for personal end-of-life choices, with an additional negative side effect on palliative carae. The Bundestag did so despite the fact that the Scientific Advisory Body (\u201cWissenschaftliche Dienst\u201d) of the Bundestag and many law experts of Germany had pointed out it was highly likely that article 217 was in conflict with the rule of clarity (\u201cBestimmtheitsgebot\u201d) and the Basic Law, the German \u201cGrundgesetz\u201d, therefore unconstitutional. \u00a7 217 had nothing to do with prohibiting alleged making business out of assistance in suicide, as it was falsely claimed sometimes. In fact, \u00a7 217 related to everyone, also physicians. On 26 February 2020, the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe had to judge on several constitutional complaints against \u00a7 217, amongst others by the two DIGNITAS membership associations of Switzerland and Germany: the Court found that the prohibition of assisted suicide services set out in \u00a7 217 violates the Basic Law and is void. With this, the status antes quo is re-installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Press release by the Federal Constitutional Court<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n —<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since becoming effective on 1 April 2002, The Netherlands have the \u201cTermination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide Act\u201d (Wet toetsing levensbe\u00ebindiging op verzoek en hulp bij zelfdodin, WTL) which in one edict regulates the ending of life on explicit request by the individual (voluntary euthanasia) as well as accompanied suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n English version of the law in The Netherland (PDF)<\/a> An \u201cEuthanasia Law\u201d, which permits and regulates the ending of life by physicians on request by the individual who wishes to end life, became effective as of 22 September 2002. Each case is reviewed by the Belgian Federal Control and Evaluation Commission for Euthanasia (FCECE), with reporting to the Public Prosecutor if need be. The law is complimented by a law on patient\u2019s rights of 22 August 2002 and a regulation on palliative care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The law in Belgium (website of ADMD, in French)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n —<\/p>\n\n\n\n On 16 March 2009, a law on palliative care, patient\u2019s advance directive (patient\u2019s living will) and assistance in dying, as well as a law on assisted suicide became effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The law in Luxembourg (in French)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n —<\/p>\n\n\n\n On 18 March 2021, the parliament of Spain has legalised voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide for people with serious and incurable or debilitating diseases who wish to end their suffering and life. Ley Org\u00e1nica 3\/2021, de 24 de marzo, de regulaci\u00f3n de la eutanasia (in Spanish)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n —<\/p>\n\n\n\n After being approved four times by parliament, but sent back each time by the conservative president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for constitutional review, the law was finally passed with support from the governing socialists who hold a majority. The law gives access to assistance in dying for people over the age of 18 and who are terminally ill and suffering intolerably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n —<\/p>\n\n\n\n to top<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 6 February 2015, in a unanimous 9:0 decision Canada\u2019s Supreme Court has struck down the country\u2019s Criminal Code laws prohibiting physician-assisted suicide. The rule did not come into force for 12 months; extended by another 4 months on application by the government to gain time for drafting legislation. This delay elapsed 6 June 2016. It means it is no longer against the law, under certain circumstances, for a doctor to help someone who is severely ill to end their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Supreme Court judgment of Carter v. Canada<\/a> On 17 June 2016, Bill C-14 \u2013 an Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (Medical Assistance In Dying) \u2013 passed in the House of Commons and the Senate and is now law in Canada. The law no allows for physician-assisted accompanied suicide and voluntary euthanasia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legislative Summary of Bill C-14<\/a> However, Bill C-14 will be challenged in court because it conflicts with the Supreme Court\u2019s decision: by limiting access to only those patients whose natural deaths are \u201creasonably foreseeable\u201d, the new law denies rightful access to entire classes of patients who have severe chronic conditions but who are not approaching end of life<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On 18 March 2021, Bill C-7 became law which further develops medical assistance in dying (MAID): 1) the discriminating prerequisite that a person must have \u201ca reasonably foreseeable death\u201d in order to be eligible for MAID is abolished; 2) people who have been assessed and approved for MAID, but risk losing capacity to consent prior to the MAID procedure, will be able to sign a waiver of final consent; 3) over a period of two years, the Government of Canada will hear from experts and develop safeguards and protocols for people who seek access to MAID due to a psychiatric illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overview \/ Facts on Canada’s medical aid in dying law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 5 June 2014 the Assembl\u00e9e Nationale du Qu\u00e9bec voted 94 : 22 for the introduction of the Bill n\u00b0 52 : An Act respecting end-of-life care. The purpose of the Bill is to ensure that end-of-life patients are provided care that is respectful of their dignity and their autonomy and to recognise the primacy of wishes expressed freely and clearly with respect to end-of-life care. It sets out special rules applicable to the providers of end-of-life care. It also establishes requirements for certain types of end-of-life care, namely continuous palliative sedation and medical aid in dying. The Bill will come into force on 10 December 2015 or earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website of the National Assembly of Canada with the law text, forms, etc.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n —<\/p>\n\n\n\n All States of the USA must allow patients to refuse life-saving medical treatment, and a few States and the District of Columbia also have laws in place referred to as \u201cdeath with dignity,\u201d \u201cmedical aid-in-dying,\u201d or \u201cphysician-assisted death\u201d. These laws allow mentally competent individuals to end their lives by self-administration of a lethal dose of medication prescribed by a doctor for that purpose. All of these laws require the diagnosis of terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less to live from physicians, waiting periods, and psychiatric evaluations when recommended by a physician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On 12 December 2025, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law the \u201cEnd-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act\u201d, also known as \u201cDeb\u2019s Law\u201d. This Act allows medical aid in dying for terminally ill people. Illinois thus becomes the 12th US state where the terminally ill with a life expectancy of no more than six months have access to legal assisted suicide. The law will presumably come into effect in September 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Act<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1998, the \u2018Death with Dignity Act\u2019 came into force, a law regulating physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients who have a life expectancy of not more than 6 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website of the government with links to the law and annual reports<\/a> On 14 July 2023, Governor Tina Kotek signed HB2279 into law, making Oregon the second state after Vermont to remove residency requirements to access the state\u2019s Death With Dignity law. Information provided by Death with Dignity<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since 2008, a similar law exists like the one in the US state of Oregon, also called \u201cDeath with Dignity Act\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website of the government with links to the law, reports, forms, etc.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Parliament of Vermont supported \u201cAn act relating to patient choice and control at the end of life\u201d and approved a law similar to the \u201cDeath with Dignity Act\u201d in the US states of Oregon and Washington. The law offers terminally ill competent individuals a procedure which allows them a self-determined end of life by ingestion of medication provided by a physician. Gouvernor Peter Shumlin signed the Act on 20 May 2013 which enacted the new law partially; the part on “death with dignity” and immunity for physicians came into force by 1 July 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website of the Department of Health, with text of the law, forms, etc.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 2 May 2023, Governor Phil Scott signed bill H. 190 which removes the residency requirement from Vermont\u2019s patient choice at end of life laws. Information provided by Patient Choices Vermont.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 5 October 2015, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed legislation to allow physicians assisted suicide for terminally ill \u2013 the End of Life Option Act. Thus, California becomes a further US-State in which terminally ill have freedom of choice to self-determinedly end their suffering with physician\u2019s assessment and prescription of medication. The End of Life Option Act definetely took effect on 9 June 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website of the government with the text of the law and further information<\/a> On 3 October 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 403 (SB 403)<\/a> into law, thus removing the so-called sunset clause which would have caused the law to end in 2031.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On 9 September 2016, 65 % of the voters in Colorado supported a proposition for a \u201cColorado End-of-Life Options Act\u201d. This law bases on the \u201cDeath with Dignity Act\u201d in Oregon. It came into force on 16 December 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Text of the Act (PDF)<\/a> The Washington, D.C. Death with Dignity Act has come into effect on 18 February 2017. In December 2016, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser had signed the Death with Dignity Act, which legalized assisted suicide in the district and gave doctors the ability to offer lethal medication to individuals who are terminally ill and will die within six months. The Act is supported by 67 % of D.C. people. Unfortunately, the time-consuming process of district agencies setting up the required process and the city identifying funds for the project put the Act at risk. The District of Columbia is not a State and thus needs federal approval. Federal Law Makers and the House of Representatives Oversight Committee aim at crushing the Act, thus turning back the clocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further resources, provided by Death with Dignity National Center<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n As of 1 January 2019, the \u201cOur Care, Our Choice\u201d Bill gives residents of the US state of Hawaii who are 18 years old or older the right to request and receive a prescription medication so as to end their suffering self-determinedly, under the condition that the person is suffering from a medically confirmed terminal illness with less than six months to live and possessing decisional capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information by the Department of Health<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 12 April 2019, in the US state of New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy signed the \u201cAid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act\u201d, after the bill passed both the Assembly and the Senate. The Act permits terminally ill patients with a prognosis of six months or less to get a prescription for life-ending medication for self-administering so they can end their life in a humane and dignified manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information by the Department of Health<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 12 June 2019, in the US state of Maine, Governor Janet Mills signed the \u201cDeath with Dignity Act\u201d, after the bill passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Act permits competent terminally ill residents of Maine with a prognosis of six months or less to get a physicians\u2019 prescription for life-ending medication for self-administering so they can end their life in a humane and dignified manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Montana became the third US state which has, in theory, legalised physician-assisted suicide through a single-case Court decision: On 31 December 2009, the Supreme Court of Montana ruled that, under the Constitution of Montana, Article II, paragraph 4 and 10, terminally ill Robert Baxter had the right to a dignified death and at the same time that his physician had the right to being protected from prosecution. Even though the right to physician assisted dying was not guaranteed by the Constitution of Montana, such assistance, taking into consideration court cases and the law, was not in conflict with public interests and therefore not illegal. The decision was done by 5 : 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Decision of the Supreme Court of Montana (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n After Montana, New Mexico is another US state which, in theory, legalised physician-assisted suicide through a single case Court decision: New Mexico State law provides a fundamental right to a terminally ill, competent patient to choose a physician\u2019s aid in getting prescription medications that will allow a peaceful death, Second Judicial District Judge Nan Nash ruled on April 3, 2014. The Court ruled that two oncologists at the University of New Mexico Hospital could not be prosecuted under the state\u2019s Assisted Suicide Statute, which is defined as the act of \u201cdeliberately aiding another in the taking of his own life\u201d, and makes such assistance punishable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Decision of the Second Judicial District Court (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 20 May 2025, Governor Matt Meyer signed into law the \u201cRon Silverio\/Heather Block End of Life Options Law\u201d, which allows medical aid in dying for terminally ill people. Delaware thus becomes another US state where terminally ill with a life expectancy of no more than six months have access to legal assisted suicide. The law will come into force on 1 January 2026 or earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Full text of the House Bill HB140 (PDF)<\/a> to top<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In February 2024, the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court ruled in judgment 67\u201123\u2011IN\/24 that assisted dying\u00a0(\u201ceutanasia activa voluntaria y avoluntaria\u201d \u2013 ending the suffering and life of a person with decision-making capacity by a physician at the request of the person concerned or their legal representative) is constitutional under clearly defined conditions, and that medical professionals involved in such procedures need not fear prosecution. On 12 April 2024, the corresponding regulation of the Ministry of Public Health came into effect, governing the implementation of assisted dying. It includes, for example, requirements for medical reports, voluntary decision-making, and the necessity of an interdisciplinary case review. The regulation applies to Ecuadorian citizens and persons with permanent residence in the country. It also establishes how physicians and healthcare institutions should carry out assisted dying in a legally secure manner. Furthermore, it governs the representation by legal proxies if the person concerned is no longer capable of giving consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further information:<\/strong> In 1997, by judgment C-239, the Constitutional Court legalised voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill individuals who have decision making capacity. In 2014, this was followed by judgment T-970 of the Constitutional Court of Appeal setting out the rules how to apply voluntary euthanasia. A year later, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection issued Resolution no. 1216 regulating details on how to conduct voluntary euthanasia. An attempt to nullify judgment T-970 was defeated by judgment 414 a CC in 2015. Further judgments and laws followed to improve freedom of choice and public health, such as Health Law 1751, judgment T-132 in 2016 on proper diagnosing patients and judgment C-274 in 2016 clarifying conscious objection to voluntary euthanasia. In August 2017, the Constitutional Court of Colombia issued judgment T-544, in which it decided that boys, girls and adolescents should also be allowed to die with dignity. In 2018, resolution 825 by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection clarified the procedures as to a death with dignity for minors. Access to this end-of-life choice is for residents of Colombia who are registered with the state health care system. This was followed by court judgment C-233\/21 of 22 July 2021 abolishing the \u201cterminally ill\u201d requirement, and judgment C-146\/22 of 11 May 2022 decreminalising assisted suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website of the \u201cFundacion Pro Derecho a Morir Dignamente\u201d (DMD Colombia) providing further information<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reports<\/a> by the Colombian human rights organization DescLAB | Laboratorio de Derechos Econ\u00f3micos, Sociales y Culturales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Muerte Digna en Colombia. Activismo judicial, cambio social y discusiones constitucionales sobre un derecho emergente \/ The Right to Die in Colombia. Judicial activism, social change and constitutional discussions on an emerging right, analysing how the right has emerged and strengthened (PDF<\/a><\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n De Muerte Lenta #1. Informe sobre las cifras y las barreras para ejercer el derecho a morir dignamente en Colombia \/ A slowly death. A report (PDF)<\/a> on the data and the barriers to access a dignified death in Colombia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On 15 October 2025, the Senate passed the \u201cDignified Death\u201d bill. In August, the bill had been approved by the country\u2019s lower house. In Colombia and Ecuador, assisted dying has already been decriminalised following judgments by the supreme courts. Uruguay is the first Latin American country to legalize medical assisted dying through a bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the bill, people suffering from terminal, incurable, and irreversible illnesses can, upon repeated request and consent, opt for assisted dying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ley N\u00b0 20431 (Ley de muerte digna)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n to top<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Taiwan passed the \u201cPatient Autonomy Act\u201d on 18 December 2015, making it the first Asian country to allow patients under five specific clinical conditions to refuse life-sustaining treatments including artificial nutrition and hydration even if they are not terminally ill. The law was drafted by Professor Sun Hsiao-chih and Yang Yu-Xing, Honorary Adviser to the Legislator of Taiwan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information by the Taiwan Patient Autonomy Research Centre<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n to top<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 3 November 2025, the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2024, enacted by the ACT Parliament on 5 June 2024, took effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Government information about the requirements, procedure etc.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 29 November 2017, the Parliament of Victoria, Australia, passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017. Victorians who are suffering and who meet strict eligibility criteria will be able to request access to voluntary assisted dying. The Act came into force on 19 June 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information by the Victoria State Government<\/a> On 10 December 2019, the Parliament of Western Australia passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2019. Under the law, which will come into effect in mid-2021, terminally ill adults having less than six months to live \u2013 or one year if they have a neuro-degenerative condition \u2013 will have access to the choice of professional help to end their suffering and life if approved by two medical doctors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information by the Government of Western Australia, Dept. of Health<\/a> On 23 March 2021, Tasmania passed the End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill. Tasmania is such the third Australian State with such legislation. It officially commenced as of 23 October 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tasmanian Government \/ End-of-Life Choices (VAD) Act 2021<\/a> On 24 June 2021, the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2020 was passed by the South Australian Parliament. Eligible participants must be over 18, have lived in South Australia for at least a year, deemed compliant by two doctors, and their condition must be terminal, causing intolerable suffering and expected to cause death within weeks or month. Residents in aged care and retirement villages can access the scheme in their own homes or units. Implementation of the law is likely to span 18 to 24 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Government of South Australia \/ Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n With 61 votes to 30, Queensland Parliament legalised voluntary assisted dying (VAD) on 16 September 2021. The new laws will allow people aged 18 and older who are expected to die within 12 months to seek medical assistance to end their lives; it will come into place 1 January 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information by the Queensland Government<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Parliament of NSW passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022 on 19 May 2022. As of 28 October 2023, voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is possible for mentally competent adult residents suffering from an advanced and progressive illness which will cause their death within six months (or within 12 months for neurodegenerative disease)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information by NSW Health<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n —<\/p>\n\n\n\n As of 7 November 2021, the End of Life Choice Act 2019 takes full effect, such permitting assisted dying as a new health service. New Zealanders aged 18 or over who experience unbearable suffering from a terminal illness that is likely to end their life within six months may be able to access medication to end their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information provided by the Ministry of Health<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
North America<\/a>
Latin America<\/a>
Asia<\/a>
Oceania<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nEurope<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Switzerland<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Germany<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The Netherlands<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Information by the Government of the Netherlands<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nBelgium<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Luxembourg<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Spain<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The individual must be a resident of Spain, competent, the request must be made on several occasions and be backed by medical reports, and healthcare workers will retain their right to conscientious objection. After the procedure is approved by an evaluating committee, the patient must give final consent again.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPortugal<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNorth America<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Canada<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
A brief summary of the case by the BCCLA<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bill C-14 in English and French (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nProvince of Qu\u00e9bec<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
US States<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
US state of Illinois<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
US state of Oregon<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
The history of the Oregon Death with Dignity Act<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nUS state of Washington<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
US state of Vermont<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
US state of California<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
California End of Life Option Act Data Report 2024 (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nUS state of Colorado<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Information provided by the Department of Public Health & Environment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nDistrict of Columbia \/ Washington DC<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
US state of Hawaii<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
US state of New Jersey<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
US state of Maine<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
US state of Montana<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
US state of New Mexico<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
US state of Delaware<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Information on the law and steps for using it<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nLatin America<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Ecuador<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Communiqu\u00e9<\/a> of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health (in Spanish).
The judgment<\/a> is available in full on the website of the Constitutional Court (in Spanish).<\/p>\n\n\n\nColombia<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Uruguay<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAsia<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Taiwan<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nOceania<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Australia<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Australian Capital Territory ACT<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Victoria<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Resources by \u201cDying with Dignity Victoria\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWestern Australia<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Ressources by \u201cDying with Dignity Western Australia\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nTasmania<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Information provided by the Tasmanian Department of Health<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSouth Australia<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Queensland<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
New South Wales<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
New Zealand<\/h5>\n\n\n\n