As debates over assisted dying gain momentum across Europe, several countries have enacted laws permitting the practice under specific conditions, while others continue to grapple with the ethical and legal implications.
The Netherlands and Belgium were the first European nations to legalize euthanasia in 2002. In the Netherlands, the law allows individuals experiencing unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement to request euthanasia, subject to strict criteria and oversight. Notably, in 2023, the Netherlands extended this right to children under 12. Belgium, following a similar framework, expanded its law in 2014 to permit euthanasia for terminally ill children of all ages, provided they have parental consent.
Luxembourg decriminalized euthanasia and assisted dying in 2009, adopting measures akin to its neighbors. Spain passed legislation in 2021 allowing euthanasia and medically assisted suicide for individuals with serious, incurable illnesses.Applicants must be capable and conscious, submit a written request, reconfirm it later, and obtain approval from an evaluation committee.
Austria, traditionally a conservative nation, legalized assisted suicide in 2022 after its constitutional court ruled that prohibiting the practice violated citizens’ fundamental rights. In Portugal, a 2023 law decriminalizing euthanasia has yet to come into force due to constitutional challenges, leaving the matter pending further parliamentary action.
Switzerland, while prohibiting euthanasia, has long permitted assisted suicide, provided the individual assisting does not have selfish motives. This legal stance has made Switzerland a destination for “suicide tourism,” attracting individuals from countries where assisted dying remains illegal. Despite internal debates, Swiss authorities decided in 2011 against restricting the practice.
In Italy, the Constitutional Court in 2019 outlined conditions under which assisted suicide could occur without penal consequences. However, national legislation has lagged, prompting regions like Tuscany to adopt their own regulations in 2023. This move faced challenges from the central government, arguing that such matters fall under national jurisdiction.
In November 2024, UK lawmakers approved, in a preliminary vote, the legalization of assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses and a life expectancy of fewer than six months. The proposed law stipulates that individuals must self-administer the life-ending substance. Amendments made in May 2025 allow medical professionals to opt out of participating. The legislation awaits further parliamentary scrutiny before it can be enacted.
France’s National Assembly is set to vote on proposed laws concerning palliative care and assisted dying. If passed, the legislation would permit adults with incurable illnesses experiencing intolerable, untreatable pain to take lethal medication under strict conditions. The proposed law would apply only to French citizens or residents over 18, excluding those with severe psychiatric or neurodegenerative conditions. A medical team must confirm eligibility, and applicants must reaffirm their decision after a reflection period. The medication could be self-administered or provided with help from a healthcare professional if necessary. This vote marks a key step in a long-debated issue that has garnered increasing public support in France.
As European nations navigate the complex ethical, legal, and societal dimensions of assisted dying, the landscape continues to evolve, reflecting diverse cultural attitudes and legal frameworks across the continent.
