Slovenia will on Sunday become the latest European country to decide whether to allow assisted dying, as citizens vote in a referendum triggered just months after parliament approved the measure in July.
Across Europe, several nations already permit terminally ill individuals to end their lives through euthanasia—where a medical professional administers life-ending measures at a patient’s request—or assisted dying, in which the patient self-administers life-ending medication provided by a caregiver.
Below is an overview of how assisted dying laws currently operate across the continent:
— Pioneers: Netherlands and Belgium —
The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise euthanasia in April 2002 under strict conditions. A doctor and an independent expert must jointly confirm that a patient is suffering “unbearably” with no prospect of improvement. In 2023, the Netherlands extended the right to include seriously ill children under 12.
Belgium followed suit later in 2002 with a similar legal framework. It went even further in 2014, becoming the first country globally to allow terminally ill children of any age to request euthanasia with parental consent.
Luxembourg joined the group in 2009 by decriminalising both euthanasia and assisted dying.
— Switzerland: A Long-Standing Destination —
While Switzerland bans euthanasia, it has permitted assisted dying since World War II, provided those assisting act without “selfish motives.” Specialised right-to-die associations, governed by medical ethics rules, support patients through the process. Switzerland has become a major destination for foreigners seeking assisted dying due to its relatively permissive system.
Neighbouring Austria legalised assisted dying in December 2021 for patients suffering from serious or terminal illnesses.
— Spain: Strict Safeguards —
Spain legalised euthanasia and medically assisted dying in March 2021, introducing one of Europe’s most carefully regulated frameworks. Applicants must be fully conscious and competent, submit a written request, reconfirm it over time, and receive approval from a dedicated evaluation committee.
In Portugal, however, the decriminalisation of euthanasia approved in May 2023 remains stalled after a Constitutional Court ruling.
— Slovenia: A Second National Vote —
Slovenia’s parliament passed a law in July 2025 to legalise assisted dying, following public support in a 2024 referendum. Under the legislation, mentally competent, terminally ill patients suffering unbearably and with no remaining treatment options would gain access to assisted dying.
However, a civil society group backed by the conservative opposition collected more than 40,000 signatures to force another referendum—this time to decide whether the law should actually take effect.
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