Can I request euthanasia in Spain?
Yes, meeting the legal procedure's requirements. Euthanasia (aid-in-dying benefit) is legal in Spain under Organic Law 3/2021, in force since June 2021. It can be requested by someone who is an adult, capable and conscious at the time of the request, has Spanish nationality or legal residence (or over 12 months' stay), and suffers a serious incurable illness or a serious, chronic and disabling condition causing unbearable suffering. The procedure has safeguards: two voluntary written requests at least 15 days apart, information from the responsible doctor, a consultant doctor's involvement and approval by a Guarantee and Evaluation Commission. It's a public benefit of the National Health System, and professionals may exercise conscientious objection.
📋 The rules
- Legal under Organic Law 3/2021
- Adult, capable and conscious; legal residence or >12 months
- Serious incurable illness or serious, chronic and disabling condition
- Two requests at least 15 days apart, with safeguards
- Public benefit; professionals may object
🔓 Exceptions
- Advance directives: let you record your wishes if you lose capacity
- Conscientious objection by healthcare professionals
- The Guarantee and Evaluation Commission verifies the requirements are met
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Euthanasia carried out in accordance with the law and its procedure is lawful. Outside that framework, helping someone die without meeting the requirements and safeguards remains punishable. The procedure is designed to ensure the decision is free, informed and considered: hence it requires two requests, deadlines, assessment by several professionals and oversight by a commission. The person can revoke their request at any time. Anyone wanting information should contact their doctor or their region's health system; they can also record their wishes in the advance directives document.
📎 Official sources
- Ministry of Health · Information on the euthanasia law →
- BOE · Organic Law 3/2021 regulating euthanasia →
- Administración · Aid-in-dying benefit →
❓ Frequently asked
Is euthanasia legal in Spain?
Yes. Euthanasia, as an aid-in-dying benefit, is legal under Organic Law 3/2021, in force since June 2021. Spain was one of the first European countries to regulate this right, within a procedure with safeguards and funded by the public health system.
Who can request it?
Someone who is an adult, capable and conscious when requesting it, has Spanish nationality or legal residence (or over 12 months' stay) and suffers a serious incurable illness or a serious, chronic and disabling condition causing unbearable suffering.
What's the procedure?
You must make two voluntary written requests, at least 15 days apart. The responsible doctor and a consultant doctor are involved, and a Guarantee and Evaluation Commission verifies the requirements before authorising the benefit. The person can revoke their decision at any time.
Can a doctor refuse to perform it?
Yes. Directly involved healthcare professionals can exercise conscientious objection and refuse to take part in the aid-in-dying benefit. In that case, the health system must still guarantee access to the benefit through other professionals.
And if I lose the capacity to decide?
You can record your wishes in advance in the advance-directives document. So, if you later lose the capacity to decide, that document allows your decision on the aid-in-dying benefit to be taken into account in accordance with the law.
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