Spain Assisted Dying Overview
Spain legalized assisted dying in 2021 under a law allowing both euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. The law applies to adults with serious or incurable illness or a serious, permanent disability causing unbearable suffering.
Eligibility and Request Process
Patients must be Spanish residents or legal residents and make a voluntary, informed, and repeated request. A doctor assesses eligibility, and a second independent physician must confirm the diagnosis and prognosis. Patients can withdraw consent at any time.
Safeguards and Implementation
The law requires waiting periods, counseling, and detailed medical records. Euthanasia is usually performed by a doctor, while physician-assisted suicide involves the patient self-administering a prescribed medication. Official data and reports on procedures are published by Spanish health authorities.
For official information on Spain's assisted dying law, see the Government of Spain portal.
