🕊️ Can I request euthanasia?

With conditions

Quick answer

Yes, euthanasia is legally possible in Belgium, but only by a physician and under strict conditions. Under the law of 28 May 2002, you can request euthanasia if you make a voluntary, considered and repeated request, and you are in a medically hopeless situation of constant and unbearable physical or psychological suffering that cannot be relieved, resulting from a serious and incurable condition. The requester is an adult (or emancipated, or a minor with capacity of discernment, under stricter conditions). The physician consults a second independent physician; if your death is not expected in the short term, a third physician is involved and a one-month waiting period applies. You can also make an advance declaration in case you later become irreversibly unconscious (coma) — it has been, since 2 April 2020, valid for an indefinite period. No physician is obliged to perform euthanasia, but must refer you if they refuse. This is a sensitive topic; your (family) doctor can inform and support you properly.

📋 The rules

Legally possible by a physician under the law of 28 May 2002
Conditions: a voluntary, considered and repeated request and constant, unbearable physical or psychological suffering from a serious, incurable condition
The requester is an adult or emancipated, or a minor with capacity of discernment (stricter conditions since 2014)
A second independent physician is consulted; non-terminal: third physician + one-month waiting period
Advance declaration for a future irreversible unconsciousness — valid indefinitely since 2 April 2020
No physician is obliged; on refusal, a duty to refer applies

🔓 Exceptions

The advance declaration only applies to irreversible unconsciousness (coma), not to dementia while you are still conscious
An extension to advanced dementia is under discussion, but is not in force as of July 2026
If your death is not expected in the short term, a third physician is brought in and a one-month waiting period applies

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Within the legal conditions, euthanasia is not an offence and the death counts as a natural death — with everything that implies for insurance and inheritance. The check happens afterwards: the physician sends a registration document to the Federal Control and Evaluation Commission within 4 working days, and the Commission can refer non-compliant files to the prosecutor. Outside the conditions, the act stays punishable. This is a sensitive topic; with questions you can turn to your doctor or a trusted person.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Who can request euthanasia?

An adult or emancipated person who is conscious and competent, or a minor with capacity of discernment under stricter conditions. The request must be voluntary, considered and repeated.

What suffering qualifies?

Constant and unbearable physical or psychological suffering that cannot be relieved, caused by a serious and incurable condition. For psychological suffering, extra caution rules apply on top.

How many physicians are involved?

Always a second, independent physician alongside your treating doctor. If your death is not expected in the short term, a third physician is consulted and a one-month waiting period applies as well.

What is an advance euthanasia declaration?

A declaration for the case where you later become irreversibly unconscious (coma). It has been valid indefinitely since 2 April 2020 — the old five-yearly renewal is gone. It does not cover dementia while you are conscious.

Must a physician perform euthanasia?

No, no physician is obliged to — it is a right to ask, not a right to receive. A physician who refuses must tell you in time, refer you to a centre or another physician, and transfer your file.

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