Is assisted suicide legal in Switzerland?
Yes — assisted suicide is allowed, as long as there are no selfish motives. Under Art. 115 StGB, inciting or assisting suicide is only an offence if done from selfish motives. Without such motives, assisting a suicide is not an offence — this is what makes the Swiss model distinctive. The conditions in practice: the person must have decision-making capacity and must perform the final, lethal act themselves (e.g. take the substance themselves). Organisations such as EXIT (for residents) and Dignitas (also for non-residents) accompany the process. Active euthanasia (killing on request, Art. 114 StGB), where another person carries out the lethal act, remains illegal. In short: yes, without selfish motives and with self-performance. A sensitive topic.
📋 The rules
- Assisting suicide only an offence with selfish motives (StGB 115)
- Without such motives: not an offence
- The person must have decision-making capacity
- The person performs the final act themselves
- Active euthanasia (Art. 114): illegal
🔓 Exceptions
- EXIT accompanies residents of Switzerland
- Dignitas also accompanies people from abroad
- Killing on request by a third party stays an offence
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Assisting a suicide from selfish motives (e.g. to inherit) is an offence under Art. 115 StGB (imprisonment up to 5 years or a fine). Active euthanasia — killing on request by another person — is an offence under Art. 114 StGB, even if the person expressly asks for it. Beware a myth: "in Switzerland a doctor may kill someone on request" is false — only assistance without selfish motives, where the person acts themselves, is allowed. Tip: for serious thoughts or questions, turn to a doctor, a specialist service or a recognised organisation. If you're struggling emotionally, talk to someone you trust or a specialist service.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Is assisted suicide legal in Switzerland?
Yes, as long as there are no selfish motives. Under Article 115 of the Criminal Code, assisting a suicide is only an offence if done from self-serving motives. Without such motives, assisting a suicide is not punishable, which distinguishes the Swiss model from many other countries.
What conditions apply?
The person must have decision-making capacity, that is be able to grasp the significance of their decision, and must perform the final, lethal act themselves, for example taking the substance. Organisations such as EXIT or Dignitas accompany the process but may not carry out the act for the person.
What's the difference from active euthanasia?
In assisted suicide the person concerned performs the lethal act themselves. In active euthanasia, killing on request under Article 114, another person carries out the act. The latter remains an offence in Switzerland, even if the person expressly asks for it to be done.
Can people from abroad come too?
Yes. While EXIT mainly accompanies people resident in Switzerland, Dignitas also accepts people from abroad. The legal basis is the same for everyone: the assistance must be without selfish motives, and the person must have capacity and perform the act themselves.
When is assistance an offence?
Assisting a suicide is an offence if done from selfish motives, for example to benefit from an inheritance. Then Article 115 provides for imprisonment up to five years or a fine. Active killing on request by a third party also remains an offence regardless of the request.
🔎 Common searches
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- “assisted suicide switzerland”
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