Assisted dying: what the law says, country by country
Some countries and states permit assisted dying, as euthanasia, assisted suicide or both, under a statute or a court ruling. This guide reports what those laws and rulings say. Each entry links to the official document we opened.
This guide is not legal or medical advice. Laws change, and a court ruling or a new statute can alter any entry here. Every document cited was opened on 30 October 2026.
How to read this guide
Each jurisdiction has five lines: the status, the legal basis, eligibility as the law states it, any residence or insurance requirement as the law states it, and the body that oversees it. Where the document we opened does not settle a point, the line says "not established from the law". A date of entry into force is given only where the document states it.
The guide covers only jurisdictions where a statute or a court ruling permits assisted dying. It names no organisation or practitioner, and it does not describe how assisted dying is carried out.
Europe
Switzerland
- Status
- Assisted suicide is not punishable unless the person acts for selfish motives (Criminal Code art. 115); causing death on request is punishable (art. 114).
- Legal basis
- Swiss Criminal Code, arts. 114 and 115.
- Eligibility as stated
- not established from the law
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Article 115 states no residence or nationality requirement.
- Oversight body
- not established from the law
Sources: Swiss Criminal Code (SR 311.0), official English consolidated version of 1 Oct 2026, Fedlex · The various forms of euthanasia, Federal Office of Justice
Netherlands
- Status
- Termination of life on request and assisted suicide are not punishable when performed by a physician who meets the statutory due care criteria and notifies the review committee.
- Legal basis
- Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act (Wtl); exception to Criminal Code arts. 293 and 294.
- Eligibility as stated
- Voluntary, well-considered request; unbearable suffering without prospect of improvement; no reasonable alternative. Minors aged 12 to 15 need parental or guardian consent; at 16 and 17 parents are involved.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- The Act states no residence or nationality requirement; the government page says it does not explicitly prohibit granting a request from a non-resident.
- Oversight body
- Regional euthanasia review committees (regionale toetsingscommissies); cases not meeting the criteria are reported to the Public Prosecution Service and the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate.
Sources: Is euthanasia allowed? Government of the Netherlands · Wet toetsing levensbeëindiging op verzoek en hulp bij zelfdoding, wetten.overheid.nl
Belgium
- Status
- Euthanasia ("euthanasie") by a physician is permitted under statute when the legal conditions are met.
- Legal basis
- Loi du 28 mai 2002 relative à l'euthanasie; in force 20 September 2002 (art. 16).
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult or emancipated minor with capacity, or a minor with capacity of discernment; conscious; voluntary, considered, repeated request; medically hopeless situation; constant, unbearable suffering from a serious, incurable condition.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- No nationality or residence criterion for a current request; an in-depth therapeutic relationship with a physician practising in Belgium is required. An advance declaration requires Belgian domicile and National Register number.
- Oversight body
- Commission fédérale de contrôle et d'évaluation (Federal Euthanasia Control and Evaluation Commission).
Sources: Loi du 28 mai 2002 relative à l'euthanasie, Justel (SPF Justice) · Euthanasie pour les personnes résidant à l'étranger (Belges et non-Belges), SPF Santé publique · Euthanasie en Belgique, SPF Santé publique
Luxembourg
- Status
- Euthanasia and assisted suicide by a physician are permitted under statute when the legal conditions are met.
- Legal basis
- Loi modifiée du 16 mars 2009 sur l'euthanasie et l'assistance au suicide.
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult with legal capacity; conscious at the time of request; incurable condition from accident or illness with no prospect of improvement; constant, unbearable physical and/or mental suffering; no outside pressure. Minors excluded.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- No residence or nationality condition is stated for registering end-of-life provisions; otherwise not established from the law.
- Oversight body
- Commission nationale de contrôle et d'évaluation (National Control and Assessment Commission).
Sources: Euthanasia and assisted suicide, Guichet.lu (Government of Luxembourg)
Spain
- Status
- Euthanasia and assisted suicide permitted under statute ("prestación de ayuda para morir").
- Legal basis
- Ley Orgánica 3/2021, de 24 de marzo, de regulación de la eutanasia; in force 25 June 2021 (art. 17 from 26 March 2021).
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult; capable and aware at request; serious and incurable illness or serious, chronic and disabling condition certified by the responsible physician; two written voluntary requests; informed consent. Advance directive applies where capacity is lost.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Spanish nationality, legal residence in Spain, or a registration certificate showing more than twelve months in Spain (art. 5.1.a).
- Oversight body
- Comisiones de Garantía y Evaluación, one in each Autonomous Community and in Ceuta and Melilla (arts. 17-18).
Sources: Ley Orgánica 3/2021, de regulación de la eutanasia, BOE consolidated text
Austria
- Status
- Assisted suicide permitted under statute through a "Sterbeverfügung" (end-of-life declaration).
- Legal basis
- Sterbeverfügungsgesetz (StVfG); in force since 1 January 2022.
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult with decision-making capacity; an incurable illness leading to death, or a severe, chronic illness with lasting effects on the whole of life, causing suffering that cannot otherwise be averted.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Habitual residence in Austria or Austrian citizenship.
- Oversight body
- not established from the law
Sources: Sterbeverfügungsgesetz, Österreichisches Gesundheitsportal (Federal Ministry of Health) · Explanatory notes to the Sterbeverfügungsgesetz draft, Austrian Parliament
France
- Status
- "Aide à mourir" (assistance in dying) permitted under statute; the articles are shown as in force.
- Legal basis
- Code de la santé publique, arts. L1111-12-1 to L1111-12-13, created by Loi n° 2026-794 du 18 août 2026; in force since 20 August 2026.
- Eligibility as stated
- At least 18; serious and incurable condition threatening life, in an advanced or terminal phase; treatment-resistant or unbearable suffering linked to it; able to express a free and informed will. Psychological suffering alone does not qualify.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- French nationality, or stable and regular residence in France (art. L1111-12-2).
- Oversight body
- Commission de contrôle et d'évaluation, placed with the minister responsible for health (art. L1111-12-13).
Sources: Code de la santé publique, section « Droit à l'aide à mourir », Légifrance
Germany
- Status
- Court ruling: the right to a self-determined death includes seeking and using assistance from third parties; the 2015 ban on business-like assisted suicide (§ 217 Criminal Code) was declared void.
- Legal basis
- Federal Constitutional Court, judgment of 26 February 2020, 2 BvR 2347/15 and others; § 217 StGB declared incompatible with the Basic Law and void.
- Eligibility as stated
- Court ruling: requires a free, self-determined decision to end one's life; nobody can be obliged to assist. No statutory eligibility criteria established from the law.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- not established from the law
- Oversight body
- not established from the law
Italy
- Status
- Court ruling: assisting a suicide (art. 580 Penal Code) is not punishable under strict conditions set by the Constitutional Court; no statute.
- Legal basis
- Corte costituzionale, sentenza n. 242/2019 (decided 25 September 2019, filed 22 November 2019); art. 580 codice penale partly unconstitutional.
- Eligibility as stated
- Person kept alive by life-sustaining treatment, with an irreversible condition causing physical or psychological suffering they find intolerable, fully capable of free and informed decisions; procedure under Law 219/2017.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- not established from the law
- Oversight body
- Conditions and arrangements verified by a public structure of the national health service (SSN), after an opinion from the competent territorial ethics committee.
Canada and Latin America
Canada
- Status
- "Medical assistance in dying" permitted under the Criminal Code when provided by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner in accordance with s.241.2.
- Legal basis
- Criminal Code (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46), section 241.2 (text current to 2026-09-30); Regulations for the Monitoring of Medical Assistance in Dying (SOR/2018-166), made under Criminal Code s.241.31.
- Eligibility as stated
- At least 18; capable of health decisions; voluntary request; informed consent; grievous and irremediable condition: serious and incurable illness, disease or disability, advanced irreversible decline, enduring intolerable suffering. Mental illness alone is excluded (s.241.2(2.1)).
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Must be eligible for government-funded health services in Canada, or would be but for any minimum residence or waiting period (s.241.2(1)(a)). Health Canada states that visitors to Canada are not eligible.
- Oversight body
- Federal monitoring regime: practitioners report to the Minister of Health or a designated provincial/territorial recipient; the Minister must publish a report at least annually (SOR/2018-166). Provinces and territories organize and deliver the service.
Sources: Criminal Code, section 241.2 (Justice Laws Website) · Regulations for the Monitoring of Medical Assistance in Dying (SOR/2018-166) · Health Canada, Medical assistance in dying: Overview
New Zealand
- Status
- "Assisted dying" permitted under the End of Life Choice Act 2019 for eligible persons, provided by an attending medical practitioner or nurse practitioner under the Act.
- Legal basis
- End of Life Choice Act 2019 (2019 No 67); brought into force on 6 November 2021 following the 2020 referendum (note to s.2(1)).
- Eligibility as stated
- Aged 18 or over; terminal illness likely to end life within 6 months; advanced irreversible decline in physical capability; unbearable suffering not relievable in a tolerable manner; competent to decide. Mental illness, disability or advanced age alone do not qualify (s.5).
- Residence or insurance requirement
- New Zealand citizen (Citizenship Act 1977) or permanent resident (Immigration Act 2009), s.5(1)(b). No separate residence period is stated.
- Oversight body
- End-of-life Review Committee appointed by the Minister (s.26) reviews reports for compliance; the Registrar (assisted dying) in the Ministry of Health keeps a register and reports annually to the Minister (s.27).
Sources: End of Life Choice Act 2019 (New Zealand Legislation), version as at 28 October 2021
Colombia
- Status
- Court rulings: euthanasia (C-233/2021) and assisted suicide (C-164/2022) are not offences when performed by a physician, with free, informed consent, for intense suffering from serious and incurable injury or illness.
- Legal basis
- Constitutional Court judgments C-233 of 2021 (Penal Code art. 106) and C-164 of 2022 (Penal Code art. 107, second paragraph); Ministry of Health Resolution 813 of 28 April 2026 regulates the procedure.
- Eligibility as stated
- Per the rulings: consent free, conscious and informed, before or after diagnosis; intense physical or psychological suffering from bodily injury or serious and incurable illness. Ministry of Justice page adds rules for minors aged 6 to 17.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Not set by the rulings. Per the Ministry of Justice summary of Resolution 813/2026, foreigners living in Colombia must show at least 1 year of uninterrupted domicile in the country.
- Oversight body
- Comité Científico Interdisciplinario para el Derecho a Morir con Dignidad (specialist physician, lawyer, psychiatrist or clinical psychologist) verifies the conditions and authorizes each request (Ministry of Justice page).
Sources: Corte Constitucional, Sentencia C-233 de 2021 · Corte Constitucional, Sentencia C-164 de 2022 · Ministerio de Justicia y del Derecho, LegalApp: Muerte asistida (eutanasia)
Ecuador
- Status
- Court ruling: active euthanasia is not punishable under COIP art. 144 when performed by a physician at the unequivocal, free and informed request of the person (or their representative if unable to express it).
- Legal basis
- Constitutional Court judgment 67-23-IN/24 (conditional constitutionality of COIP art. 144); Ministry of Public Health regulation issued 12 April 2024, in force until a law is enacted.
- Eligibility as stated
- Intense suffering from a serious and irreversible bodily injury or a serious and incurable illness; unequivocal, free and informed consent, or through a representative when the person cannot express it. Age not established from the law.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- not established from the law
- Oversight body
- Comité Interdisciplinario para resolver la Aplicación de la Eutanasia Activa Voluntaria y Avoluntaria reviews requirements and decides each request (Ministry of Public Health); the Court verifies compliance with its orders.
Sources: Corte Constitucional del Ecuador, Sentencia 67-23-IN/24 (ficha) · MSP: Ministerio de Salud Pública emite reglamento para la aplicación de la eutanasia activa voluntaria y avoluntaria
Peru
- Status
- Court ruling in an individual case: the Supreme Court approved in part the non-application of Penal Code art. 112 to that specific case. No general statutory regime.
- Legal basis
- Supreme Court, Sala de Derecho Constitucional y Social Permanente, Consulta No. 14442-2021 (22 July 2022), approving in part the first-instance amparo judgment, Exp. No. 573-2020 (22 February 2021).
- Eligibility as stated
- not established from the law. The ruling disapplies art. 112 only in that individual case and sets no general criteria; whether it applies beyond that case is not established from the law.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- not established from the law
- Oversight body
- not established from the law
Sources: Poder Judicial del Perú, Observatorio Judicial: case page (Consulta 14442-2021; Exp. 573-2020) · Poder Judicial, press note 15 July 2022 (Supreme Court approves in part)
Uruguay
- Status
- Euthanasia permitted under statute ("Ley de muerte digna; eutanasia").
- Legal basis
- Law No. 20.431 (promulgated 24 October 2025, published 5 November 2025), art. 2; regulated by Decree No. 76/026 of 15 April 2026, in force the day after publication (published 20 April 2026).
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult, mentally capable, in the terminal stage of an incurable and irreversible illness, or suffering found unbearable with serious and progressive deterioration of quality of life (art. 2).
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Uruguayan citizens (natural or legal), or foreigners who reliably prove habitual residence in Uruguay (art. 2); the decree defines habitual residence as permanent residence under Law 18.250 (Decree 76/026 art. 3 F).
- Oversight body
- Comisión Honoraria de Revisión (Ministry of Public Health, Colegio Médico, Universidad de la República, national human rights institution) reviews procedures and reports annually to the Ministry and General Assembly (art. 11).
Sources: IMPO, Ley N° 20431 - Ley de muerte digna; eutanasia · IMPO, Decreto N° 76/026 (reglamentación de la Ley 20.431)
United States
A state statute permits assisted dying in the states below and in the District of Columbia.
United States — Oregon
- Status
- Statute (Death with Dignity Act) permits assisted dying for terminally ill adults.
- Legal basis
- Oregon Death with Dignity Act, ORS 127.800 to 127.897; in effect since 27 October 1997, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult (18 or older), capable of making and communicating health care decisions, with a medically confirmed terminal disease expected to cause death within six months; not qualified solely by age or disability.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- No residency requirement: the residency section (ORS 127.860) was repealed by 2023 c.241 §4; the Oregon Health Authority states the 2023 amendment removed the requirement.
- Oversight body
- Oregon Health Authority (receives dispensing records, reviews a sample of records annually, publishes an annual report); refers noncompliance to the Oregon Medical Board.
Sources: Oregon Health Authority — Death with Dignity Act FAQs · ORS Chapter 127 (Oregon Legislature)
United States — Washington
- Status
- Assisted dying permitted under statute (Washington Death with Dignity Act) for terminally ill adult residents.
- Legal basis
- Washington Death with Dignity Act, chapter 70.245 RCW (Initiative Measure No. 1000, 2009 c 1); took effect 5 March 2009 per RCW 70.245.903.
- Eligibility as stated
- Competent adult (18 or older) whose attending provider has determined a terminal disease expected to cause death within six months; voluntary request; not qualified solely by age or disability.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Washington residents only (RCW 70.245.130); non-exhaustive factors include a Washington driver's licence, Washington voter registration, or owning or leasing property in Washington.
- Oversight body
- Washington State Department of Health (receives records, reviews all records annually, publishes an annual statistical report) — RCW 70.245.150.
Sources: RCW Chapter 70.245 — Washington Death with Dignity Act (full text) · RCW 70.245.020 (row URL)
United States — Vermont
- Status
- Statute (Patient Choice at End of Life) permits a physician to assist a terminally ill patient who requests it, when the statutory steps are documented.
- Legal basis
- 18 V.S.A. chapter 113 (Patient Choice at End of Life), as amended by Act No. 10 of 2023 (H.190), which took effect on passage (signed 2 May 2023).
- Eligibility as stated
- Patient 18 or older under a physician's care, with an incurable and irreversible disease expected to cause death within six months, capable, making an informed and voluntary request.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- No residency requirement: Act No. 10 (2023) deleted 'a resident of Vermont' from the patient definition and the Vermont-resident determination from 18 V.S.A. § 5283.
- Oversight body
- Vermont Department of Health (physician files a report with it after the request is granted, 18 V.S.A. § 5283(a)(15)).
Sources: Vermont Legislature — H.190 (Act 10) bill status · Act No. 10 (2023) as enacted · 18 V.S.A. § 5281 Definitions · 18 V.S.A. § 5283 Requirements
United States — California
- Status
- Statute (End of Life Option Act) allows a terminally ill adult resident with capacity to request "aid in dying" from an attending physician.
- Legal basis
- End of Life Option Act, California Health and Safety Code § 443 et seq. (AB X2-15, 2015); effective 9 June 2016 per the Physician Assistant Board bulletin; amended by SB 380 (2021), changes from 1 January 2022.
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult (18 or older) with capacity to make medical decisions and a medically confirmed terminal disease expected to cause death within six months; voluntary request.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- California residents only (Health and Safety Code § 443.1, § 443.2(a)); residency shown by e.g. a California driver's licence/ID, voter registration, property owned or leased, or a California tax return.
- Oversight body
- California Department of Public Health (receives physician forms, publishes annual reports).
Sources: CDPH — End of Life Option Act · Physician Assistant Board — Information Bulletin: California End of Life Option Act (with statute text, 2016) · Senate Judiciary Committee analysis of SB 403 (April 2025)
United States — Colorado
- Status
- Statute (Colorado End-of-Life Options Act) permits "medical aid in dying" for terminally ill adult residents.
- Legal basis
- Colorado End-of-Life Options Act, C.R.S. § 25-48-101 et seq. (ballot initiative), effective December 2016; amended by SB 24-068, effective 7 August 2024.
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult resident with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less, mentally capable of making and communicating an informed decision.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Colorado residents only (adult resident of Colorado). Proof of residency not described in the opened document.
- Oversight body
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) receives provider forms and publishes an annual statistical report.
Sources: Colorado Legislative Council Staff memorandum 'Medical Aid in Dying' (24 September 2025)
United States — District of Columbia
- Status
- Statute (Death with Dignity Act of 2016) allows competent, terminally ill District residents to request assistance in dying from a physician.
- Legal basis
- Death with Dignity Act of 2016 (D.C. Law 21-182).
- Eligibility as stated
- Resident 18 or older, under a physician's care, terminally ill and expected to live no more than six months; capable of the decision and not suffering impaired judgment from depression or a psychiatric condition.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- District of Columbia residents only; residency shown by documents such as a recent utility bill, lease, property tax bill or official mail; the attending physician decides.
- Oversight body
- DC Health (District of Columbia Department of Health) — receives physician and pharmacist notifications and "will regulate and oversee" the process.
Sources: DC Health — Death with Dignity Program FAQ (20 March 2018)
United States — Hawaii
- Status
- Statute (Our Care, Our Choice Act) allows terminally ill adult Hawaii residents to request "medical aid in dying".
- Legal basis
- Our Care, Our Choice Act; effective 1 January 2019 (per Hawaii Department of Health).
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult 18 or older, Hawaii resident, terminal illness with six months or less to live, mentally capable and acting voluntarily.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Hawaii residents only; factors include a Hawaii driver's licence or civil ID, Hawaii voter registration, owning or leasing property in Hawaii, or a Hawaii tax return for the most recent year.
- Oversight body
- Hawaii State Department of Health administers the Act; the reporting body is not established from the document opened.
Sources: Hawaii DOH — FAQs for Hawaii State Residents, Our Care, Our Choice Act (effective 8/14/2024)
United States — New Jersey
- Status
- Statute (Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act) permits "medical aid in dying" for terminally ill adult New Jersey residents.
- Legal basis
- Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act; effective 1 August 2019 (per NJ Department of Health).
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult with capacity to make health care decisions, found terminally ill by an attending and a consulting physician. Prognosis period: not established from the document opened.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- New Jersey residents only.
- Oversight body
- New Jersey Department of Health (compliance forms currently sent to the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner).
United States — Maine
- Status
- Statute (Maine Death with Dignity Act, "patient-directed care at the end of life") allows a competent adult Maine resident with a terminal disease to request assistance from a physician.
- Legal basis
- 22 M.R.S. § 2140 (Maine Death with Dignity Act, PL 2019, c. 271), amended PL 2025, c. 375.
- Eligibility as stated
- Competent adult (18 or older) with an incurable and irreversible, medically confirmed terminal disease expected to cause death within six months.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Maine residents only (fixed and principal home); non-exhaustive factors include Maine driver's licence, voter registration, owning or leasing property, vehicle registration, tax return address; physician must request proof.
- Oversight body
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services (Maine CDC) — receives filings, reviews all records annually, reports to the Legislature by 1 March.
Sources: 22 M.R.S. § 2140 — Patient-directed care at the end of life
United States — New Mexico
- Status
- Statute (Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act) permits "medical aid in dying" for terminally ill adult New Mexico residents.
- Legal basis
- Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act; took effect July 2021 (per NM Department of Health).
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult 18 or older with capacity to make an informed health care decision, terminal illness with life expectancy of six months or less, voluntary request.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- New Mexico residents only. Proof of residency not described on the opened page.
- Oversight body
- New Mexico Department of Health (Vital Records and Health Statistics receives provider reports).
United States — New York
- Status
- Statute (Medical Aid in Dying, Public Health Law Article 28-F) allows terminally ill adult New York residents with decision-making capacity to request assistance in dying. In force since 5 August 2026.
- Legal basis
- Public Health Law Article 28-F (§§ 2899-D to 2899-S), as amended by Chapter 1 of 2026 (signed 6 February 2026), effective on the 180th day after becoming law — 5 August 2026 (confirmed by NY Department of Health).
- Eligibility as stated
- Resident 18 or older with an incurable and irreversible, medically confirmed illness expected to cause death within six months, with decision-making capacity.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- New York State residents only (patient defined as 'a resident of New York state'). How residency is shown: not established from the law (definitions section opened).
- Oversight body
- New York State Department of Health — the Commissioner sets reporting rules, reviews a sample of records annually and reports to the Legislature (PHL § 2899-Q).
Sources: NY Public Health Law Article 28-F (NY Senate) · PHL § 2899-D Definitions · PHL § 2899-Q Reporting · NY Senate — S8835 (chapter amendment; Chapter 1 of 2026, signed 6 February 2026) · NY Department of Health press release, 5 August 2026
United States — Delaware
- Status
- Statute (Ron Silverio/Heather Block End of Life Options Law) permits terminally ill adult Delaware residents to request assistance in dying. In force no later than 1 January 2026.
- Legal basis
- Ron Silverio/Heather Block End of Life Options Law, 16 Del. C. chapter 25C (Laws of Delaware vol. 85 ch. 19); implementation on the earlier of final regulations notice or 1 January 2026.
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult resident with decision-making capacity and an incurable and irreversible illness expected to cause death within six months; voluntary informed request; not qualified by age, disability or mental illness alone.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Delaware residents only; examples: Delaware driver's licence or ID, Delaware voter registration, owning or leasing property in Delaware, or a Delaware resident tax return for the most recent year.
- Oversight body
- Delaware Department of Health and Social Services ("the Department") — receives provider reports and publishes an annual statistical report (§ 2511C).
Sources: Laws of Delaware — End of Life Options Law (session law chapter)
United States — Illinois
- Status
- Statute (End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act) permits "aid in dying" for terminally ill adult Illinois residents. In force since 12 September 2026.
- Legal basis
- End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act (Public Act 104-0441, 410 ILCS 22); effective 12 September 2026 per the Illinois Department of Public Health.
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult Illinois resident with a terminal illness with less than six months to live and mental capacity to make medical decisions; not qualified by age, disability or mental health condition alone.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Illinois residents only; shown by any of ten means, e.g. Illinois ID or driver's licence, voter registration, property owned/rented/leased, residence address on a tax return.
- Oversight body
- Illinois Department of Public Health (receives attending physician forms).
Sources: IDPH — Overview of the Illinois End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act (P.A. 104-0441)
Montana has no statute. In Baxter v. State (2009) the Montana Supreme Court held that a physician charged with an offence for aiding a terminally ill patient in dying may raise the patient's consent as a defence; according to the Montana Legislature's topic primer, the court has not addressed whether this is protected under the Montana Constitution. Montana is therefore not listed above.
In the other US states, assisted dying is not permitted, or its status is not established from the law, as of 30 October 2026.
Australia and New Zealand
Australia — Victoria
- Status
- "Voluntary assisted dying" permitted under statute for eligible adults.
- Legal basis
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 (Vic), which came into effect on 19 June 2019.
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult 18 or over; incurable, progressive disease that will cause death, expected within six months (12 months for neurodegenerative disease); suffering the person considers unacceptable; ability to make and communicate an informed decision throughout.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Australian citizen or permanent resident; living in Victoria and, at the first request, having lived there for at least 12 months. Using Victorian health services without living in Victoria does not meet this condition.
- Oversight body
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board (established under section 92 of the Act).
Sources: Do I meet the conditions for voluntary assisted dying? (Victorian Department of Health) · Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board (Victorian Department of Health) · Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 (Victorian Legislation)
Australia — Western Australia
- Status
- "Voluntary assisted dying" permitted under statute for eligible people.
- Legal basis
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2019 (WA); available to eligible people as of 1 July 2021.
- Eligibility as stated
- Aged 18 or over; disease, illness or condition that is advanced, progressive and will cause death within 6 months (12 months for neurodegenerative); decision-making capacity in relation to voluntary assisted dying.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Australian citizen or permanent resident, and ordinarily resident in Western Australia for at least 12 months. The department page mentions no exemption.
- Oversight body
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Board.
Australia — Queensland
- Status
- "Voluntary assisted dying" permitted under statute for eligible people.
- Legal basis
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (Qld); main provisions commenced on 1 January 2023 (section 2(2)).
- Eligibility as stated
- At least 18; disease, illness or condition that is advanced, progressive and will cause death, expected within 12 months; decision-making capacity in relation to voluntary assisted dying (section 10).
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Australian citizen, permanent resident, or ordinarily resident in Australia for at least 3 years before the first request; and ordinarily resident in Queensland for at least 12 months. Exemptions granted for substantial connection to Queensland and compassionate grounds (section 12).
- Oversight body
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board (section 116).
Sources: Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (Queensland Legislation, current in-force version)
Australia — New South Wales
- Status
- "Voluntary assisted dying" permitted under statute for eligible adults.
- Legal basis
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022 (NSW).
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult 18 or over; condition advanced and progressive, likely to cause death within six months (12 months for neurodegenerative disease); suffering not relievable in a way the person considers tolerable; decision-making capacity; acting voluntarily; enduring request.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Australian citizen, permanent resident, or resident in Australia for at least three continuous years at the first request; living in NSW for at least 12 months, unless granted a residency exemption by the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board.
- Oversight body
- NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Board.
Sources: What is voluntary assisted dying and who is eligible? (NSW Health) · Voluntary assisted dying, NSW Health
Australia — South Australia
- Status
- "Voluntary assisted dying" permitted under statute for eligible adults.
- Legal basis
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (SA); pathway available from 31 January 2023.
- Eligibility as stated
- At least 18; incurable, advanced and progressive condition causing suffering not relievable in a tolerable way, expected to cause death within 6 months (12 months for neurodegenerative diseases); decision-making capacity throughout; confirmed by two medical practitioners.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Australian citizen or permanent resident; lives in South Australia and has lived there for at least 12 months at the first request. No exemption described on the opened page.
- Oversight body
- not established from the law
Sources: Voluntary Assisted Dying Pathway, Law Handbook (Legal Services Commission of South Australia)
Australia — Tasmania
- Status
- "Voluntary assisted dying" permitted under statute for eligible people.
- Legal basis
- End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Act 2021 (Tas).
- Eligibility as stated
- At least 18; decision-making capacity; acting voluntarily; suffering intolerably from an advanced, incurable and irreversible condition expected to cause death within 6 months (12 for neurodegenerative); the Commission may exempt from the timeframe.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Australian citizen, permanent resident, or resident in Australia for at least 3 continuous years; and ordinarily resident in Tasmania for at least 12 continuous months, both immediately before the first request. Commission may advise on residency.
- Oversight body
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission (section 110).
Australia — Australian Capital Territory
- Status
- "Voluntary assisted dying" permitted under statute for eligible adults.
- Legal basis
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2024 (ACT), A2024-24; main provisions commenced 3 November 2025.
- Eligibility as stated
- Adult; advanced, progressive condition expected to cause death; suffering intolerably; decision-making capacity; decision voluntary and without coercion (section 11). Uncertainty whether death occurs within 12 months does not exclude approaching end of life.
- Residence or insurance requirement
- Lived in the ACT for at least the previous 12 months, or granted an exemption by the director-general for a substantial connection to the ACT (section 154). The Act states no citizenship or permanent residency requirement.
- Oversight body
- Voluntary Assisted Dying Oversight Board (Part 8).
Sources: Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2024 (ACT Legislation Register) · Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2024, Republication No 4 (effective 26 November 2025) · Voluntary assisted dying (YourSay ACT, ACT Government)
Northern Territory. The Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 2026 (Act No 23) received assent on 3 September 2026. The Northern Territory legislation register shows no commencement date, so the Act is not in operation as of 30 October 2026 and the Territory is not listed above.
Other countries
In countries not listed above, assisted dying is not permitted, or its status is not established from the law, as of 30 October 2026.
Bills before parliament
- England and Wales. Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Parliament's record shows the current stage as second reading in the House of Commons, with a sitting date of 11 September 2026.
- Ecuador. Proyecto de Ley Orgánica de la Eutanasia: the National Assembly reports a first debate in plenary on 24 March 2026, after which the bill went back to the health committee for its second-debate report; on 7 October 2026 the committee was still hearing experts.
Palliative care
Palliative care aims to relieve pain and other symptoms and to support patients and families, at any stage of a serious illness. Official information: Canada, United States, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Australia, New Zealand. For Belgium and Peru we could not open an official palliative-care page on 30 October 2026.