Where Is Euthanasia Legal? Full Country List for 2026

Euthanasia or assisted dying is legal in 14 countries and in 13 US states plus Washington, D.C., as of October 2026. Euthanasia by a doctor or nurse is allowed in 10 countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, Spain, Colombia, New Zealand, Australia, Ecuador and Uruguay. In Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy and the US states, only assisted suicide is allowed, which means the patient takes the medicine themselves.

Where is euthanasia legal in 2026?

In 2020, Paola Roldán learned she had ALS (CNN Español). ALS is a disease that slowly stops the muscles from working. She lived in Quito, Ecuador. By 2023 she was 42 and could not walk or move.

From her bed, she kept running her home. She made a time capsule for her four-year-old son. It held letters and gifts for his birthdays, his graduation and other days she would miss.

She also took a case to Ecuador's Constitutional Court. She asked for the right to a medically assisted death. People told her the court would take three years. They said she would not live to see a ruling.

On 7 February 2024, seven of the nine judges ruled in her favour (DW). It took six months. She told the newspaper El País:

"It's like when you plant a tree and everyone sits in the shade." — Paola Roldán, 2024 (El País)

She also said the ruling made assisted death "an option, it is not an obligation." Many people in Ecuador still disagree with her. But many of these laws began the same way: one ill person, one court case. Our guide to famous euthanasia cases tells more of these stories.

Look at your own country. Did a court, a parliament or the voters decide? And who was the person who asked first?

Assisted dying is a regulated medical process for assessed, eligible patients in some places. It is not a response to suicidal feelings. If you are struggling right now, please talk to someone now.

The short answer. As of October 2026, some form of assisted dying is legal in at least 14 countries. It is also legal in 13 US states and Washington, DC. France and a few other places have passed laws that are not in use yet.

Last checked: 11 October 2026.

What is the difference between euthanasia and assisted suicide?

The difference is who takes the final step.

• Euthanasia: a doctor or nurse gives the medicine.
• Assisted suicide: a doctor prescribes the medicine, and the patient takes it themselves.
• MAID: in Canada, Medical Assistance in Dying covers both. In the US, Medical Aid in Dying means the patient always takes it themselves.

Here is the idea that confuses most readers. "Legal" does not mean "open to anyone." Think of each law as a door with several locks. Each country builds its own door. One lock is age. Another is where you live. Others are how ill you are, how long you must wait, and how many doctors must agree.

So when you read that a country "allows euthanasia," ask three questions. For whom? After how long? And who decides? Our guide to euthanasia vs assisted suicide vs MAID explains the terms.

Which countries allow a doctor to give euthanasia?

Netherlands (since 2002). The suffering must be unbearable, with no hope of improvement and no reasonable alternative. The request must be voluntary and well considered. A second, independent doctor must see the patient. From age 12, children may ask. Ages 12–15 need a parent's consent; at 16 and 17, parents must be consulted (Government of the Netherlands). In 2025, review committees received 10,341 reports. That was 6% of all deaths (RTE).

Belgium (since 2002). The person must have constant, unbearable physical or mental suffering from a serious, incurable illness or injury. If death is not expected soon, there is a one-month wait. In 2014, Belgium extended the law to terminally ill children, with extra safeguards. In 2025, 4,486 people died this way, 4% of all deaths (RTBF).

Luxembourg (since 2009). The Law of 16 March 2009 allows both euthanasia and assisted suicide. The person must have an incurable condition with constant, unbearable suffering. The request must be free and well thought through. A second doctor must confirm the condition is serious and incurable (Luxembourg health portal).

Canada (since 2016, widened in 2021). The person must have a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability. They must be in an advanced state of decline that cannot be reversed. Their suffering must be lasting and intolerable to them. If natural death is reasonably foreseeable, there is no minimum wait. If it is not, assessments must take at least 90 days (Justice Canada).

People whose only condition is a mental illness are not eligible. That exclusion was due to end on 17 March 2027. But on 7 October 2026, the justice minister said a new bill will keep it, with no end date (CBC News). In 2024, 16,499 people received MAID, 5.1% of all deaths (Health Canada).

Spain (since 2021). Organic Law 3/2021 covers a serious, incurable disease, or a serious, chronic and disabling condition. The physical or mental suffering must be constant and intolerable. You must be Spanish, a legal resident, or registered as living in Spain for more than 12 months. You must make two written requests at least 15 days apart (BOE). In 2024, 426 people received help to die (Ministry of Health).

New Zealand (End of Life Choice Act, since 7 November 2021). You must be 18 or older and a citizen or permanent resident. You must have a terminal illness likely to end your life within six months. You must be in significant, ongoing decline, with suffering that cannot be eased (Ministry of Health NZ).

Australia (since 2019, state by state). Victoria was first. Every state now runs voluntary assisted dying (VAD). The Australian Capital Territory began on 3 November 2025 (ABC News). The Northern Territory passed its law in August 2026, so VAD is now law in every part of Australia. That closes a circle. In 1995, the Northern Territory passed one of the world's first such laws. The federal parliament overturned it two years later (ABC News).

Colombia (court ruling, 1997). The Constitutional Court allowed euthanasia in 1997. Rules followed in 2015. In 2021, the court said a person no longer needs a terminal illness (C-233/21). In 2022, it also allowed medically assisted suicide (C-164/22).

Ecuador (court ruling, 2024). In Paola Roldán's case, the court ruled that doctors who follow its conditions cannot be punished for homicide. It told lawmakers and health authorities to write rules (DW).

Uruguay (law of 2025, in use since April 2026). The Dignified Death law (Law 20.431) passed the Senate in October 2025. It is for mentally capable adults who are citizens or residents (BBC). They must have an incurable, irreversible illness that causes lasting suffering other treatment cannot ease. The request must be personal and in writing. At least two doctors check it. If they disagree, a medical board decides. The person then confirms it again before witnesses. The rules took effect on 21 April 2026 (Presidency of Uruguay).

Where is only assisted suicide allowed?

Switzerland (since 1942). There is no special law. Under Article 115 of the Criminal Code, helping is a crime only if the motive is selfish (Fedlex). The person must take the final step themselves. Euthanasia by a doctor is not allowed.

Austria (since 1 January 2022). The Dying Decree Act covers a terminal illness, or a serious, permanent and debilitating condition. Two doctors must be involved. The person must wait at least 12 weeks after the first medical briefing. In the last phase of illness, the wait is two weeks (Gesundheitsportal).

Germany (court ruling, 2020). In February 2020, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled that people have a right to a self-determined death. This includes help from others (judgment). Assisted suicide is not a crime. But parliament has not agreed on any law to regulate it. Euthanasia remains illegal (Gerber et al., 2026).

Italy (court ruling, 2019). There is no national law. In Judgment 242 of 2019, the Constitutional Court ruled that helping is not a crime under strict conditions. The person must have an irreversible condition and intolerable suffering. They must depend on life-sustaining treatment and be able to decide freely. Four regions (Tuscany, Veneto, Sardinia and Emilia-Romagna) have set out how to ask. They cover about one in four Italians. Elsewhere, each case is handled on its own, often with long delays (Il Sole 24 Ore).

Where is it legal in the United States?

Euthanasia is illegal in every state. But medical aid in dying is legal in 13 states plus Washington, DC (Compassion & Choices). The patient must be a terminally ill adult, usually with six months or less to live. They must be able to make the decision and take the medicine themselves.

Here is the year each law took effect:

• Oregon 1997 · Washington 2009 (voters approved it in 2008) · Montana 2009 (court ruling)
• Vermont 2013 · California 2016 · Colorado 2016 · Washington, DC 2017
• Hawaii 2019 · New Jersey 2019 · Maine 2019 · New Mexico 2021
• Delaware 1 January 2026 (Death with Dignity)
• New York 5 August 2026 (NY Department of Health)
• Illinois 12 September 2026 (Capitol News Illinois)

Three states started in 2026 alone.

Which new laws are passed but not working yet?

A law that has passed but is not in use is like a bridge that is approved but not built. You can see the plans. You cannot cross it yet.

• France. The law became official on 19 August 2026, when it was published. It is for adults who are French or long-term residents. They must have a serious, incurable illness at an advanced or terminal stage. It must cause physical and psychological suffering that treatment cannot relieve, or that they find unbearable after choosing not to have treatment. They must be able to make a free, informed choice. After approval, they must wait at least two days. The patient takes the medicine themselves, unless they physically cannot (The Guardian). The government has up to six months to publish the detailed rules. Philippe Vigier, an MP who steered the law, says it could start "in January 2027" (BFM TV).
• Portugal. Parliament passed a law in 2023, but the government never wrote the rules. In April 2025, the Constitutional Court struck down some parts. In 2026, the law is still on hold (Observador; Renascença).
• Jersey. The Assisted Dying (Jersey) Law 2026 received Royal Assent on 9 July 2026 (Government of Jersey). The service is planned for late 2027. It is only for people who have lived in Jersey for at least 12 months (Irish Times).
• Isle of Man. Its parliament, Tynwald, passed a bill in March 2025. It added more safeguards in June 2026 (Humanists UK). It received Royal Assent on 20 October 2026, but no start date has been agreed yet (Isle of Man Government).
• Northern Territory, Australia. Its parliament passed a law on 27 August 2026. People must have 12 months or less to live (ABC News). It is not running yet.

Where did assisted dying laws fail recently?

Laws do not only move forward. Several attempts failed in the past year.

• England and Wales. On 11 September 2026, MPs voted 286 to 270 against a new bill (The Guardian). An earlier bill, led by Kim Leadbeater, passed the Commons. It then ran out of time in the House of Lords in April 2026. Read more in our UK bill guide.
• Scotland. In March 2026, the Scottish Parliament rejected a bill by 69 votes to 57 (BBC).
• Slovenia. Parliament passed a law in 2025. In a referendum on 23 November 2025, about 53% of voters rejected it (JURIST).
• Ireland. A parliamentary committee recommended a law in 2024. In August 2026, the justice minister said "no decision" had been taken (Irish Examiner).

Why do the numbers differ so much between countries?

Country	Year	Assisted deaths	Share of all deaths
Netherlands	2025	10,341	6%
Canada	2024	16,499	5.1%
Belgium	2025	4,486	4%
Spain	2024	426	about 0.1%

In Spain, it is 1 in every 1,000 deaths (Spain's 2024 annual report). In the Netherlands, it is about 1 in 17. Our euthanasia statistics page has more figures and trends.

The laws look similar on paper. So why such a big gap? No one fully knows. Possible reasons include how long a law has existed and how doctors talk about it. Another is how strong palliative care is. These ideas are debated, not proven.

The surgeon Atul Gawande wrote that he would support assisted dying laws. Yet in Being Mortal (2014), he looked at Dutch figures from 2012 and wrote that they were "not a measure of success." Then he added:

"Our ultimate goal, after all, is not a good death but a good life to the very end." — Atul Gawande, Being Mortal, p. 245 (CBHD review)

This is one view, and many disagree. Some see a rising number as a sign that people trust the system. What do you think a number like 6% shows? And what can it never show about one person's life?

What should you keep in mind before you read any law?

This page is a general overview. It is not legal or medical advice. For more detail on each law, see our guide to euthanasia laws by country.

• Laws change quickly. Three US states, France and Jersey all moved in 2026. Check the official government source before you rely on any rule.
• Where you live matters. Most laws above are only for citizens or residents.
• Ask about comfort care too. If you or someone you love has a serious illness, ask the doctor about palliative care. It treats pain, breathlessness and fear, at any stage of illness.

If you are struggling, or feel you cannot go on, these laws are not meant for that pain. You deserve care and support, and feelings of hopelessness can change with help. You do not have to face this alone. Find someone to talk to now.