Am I allowed to request assisted dying in Norway?
No — assisted dying is illegal in Norway. Both euthanasia and assisting suicide are criminal. Killing someone at their own request still counts as homicide; Penal Code §276 allows the sentence to be reduced when the deceased consented, but it does not make it lawful. Penal Code §277 makes it a crime to help someone take their own life, with prison from 8 to 21 years. "Mercy killing" can carry a milder sentence but is still homicide. Ending futile life-prolonging treatment and giving palliative care are, by contrast, lawful and are not classed as assisted dying. The patient's right to refuse treatment is protected.
📋 The rules
- Assisted dying is illegal in Norway
- Both euthanasia and assisting suicide are criminal
- Killing on request: the sentence can be reduced (§276)
- Assisting suicide: prison from 8 to 21 years (§277)
- Ending futile treatment is lawful
🔓 Exceptions
- Ending or not starting futile life-prolonging treatment is lawful
- Palliative care that may shorten life as a side effect is lawful
- The patient's right to refuse treatment is protected and distinct from assisted dying
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Helping someone with suicide can bring prison from 8 to 21 years under Penal Code §277. Killing on consent is prosecuted as homicide but can be mitigated under §276.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I request assisted dying?
No. Assisted dying is illegal in Norway. Both euthanasia and assisting suicide are criminal.
Is assisting suicide a crime?
Yes. Penal Code §277 makes it a crime to help someone take their own life, with prison from 8 to 21 years.
What about killing on request?
It still counts as homicide, but the sentence can be reduced under Penal Code §276 when the deceased consented.
Can the doctor end treatment?
Yes. Ending futile life-prolonging treatment and giving palliative care are lawful and are not assisted dying.
Can I refuse treatment?
Yes. The patient's right to refuse treatment is protected, and it is very different from assisted dying.
🔎 Common searches
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- “can I request assisted dying norway”
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