Euthanasia in Austria: Court ruling brings new regulations!

Euthanasia in Austria: Court ruling brings new regulations!

The Constitutional Court (VfGH) in Austria has decided that the ban on assisted suicide remains in place. This comes as part of a process in which several applicants, including two seriously ill people and a doctor, claimed that the current regulations are unconstitutional. However, the Constitutional Court made it clear that the regulations of the Dying Directive Act, which only allow assisted suicide under certain conditions, do not violate the constitution. This means that relatives are only allowed to provide assistance with suicide if the person concerned suffers from an incurable or serious illness and this decision has been carefully considered, as is the case crown reported.

Changes to the death warrant process

However, a significant change concerns the repetition of requests for a dying order. The Constitutional Court declared the complex procedure that must be carried out after one year to renew an existing order unconstitutional. According to the court, this procedure contradicts the rights of suffering people who want a quick and self-determined death. From June 1, 2026, this law will no longer apply, making it much easier to renew dying orders, according to the Small newspaper.

In addition, the Constitutional Court partially lifted the strict ban on advertising for suicide assistance by ruling that the mere announcement of assistance or means of suicide may not in principle be punishable. This ruling concerns the human right to freedom of expression and states that the active “praising” of such assistance should not be permitted.