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In 2021, SPAIN will be the fourth country in Europe to legalise euthanasia.
This issue has been in the news again after Noelia Castillo (25), received a life-ending medication on Thursday night.
It was the result of a court ruling that her father had lost his appeal in an ongoing legal dispute dating back to 2024.
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Castillo’s public fight over his right to die embodied the deep feelings and divisions in Spain about the right to assisted suicide.
According to the latest government data available, in 2024, there were 426 approved requests for assisted death.
Noelia Castillo’s case was the first to be brought before a court for a challenge of a person who had applied for euthanasia.
Before a patient may choose to end his or her life, he or she must meet certain conditions.
They include being a Spanish national or legal resident and being ‘fully aware and conscious’ when they request the procedure.
The euthanasia laws applies to all people 18 years old and older.
It includes those who suffer ‘a serious and incurable disease’ or a ‘serious, chronic and incapacitating condition’ that affects autonomy and that causes ‘constant and intolerable physical or psychological suffering’.
An applicant must also be of legal age and be ‘fully aware and conscious’.
If the applicant changes his/her mind, they can withdraw their application at any time.
A person should also have access to the latest medical information, and be aware of all treatment options and alternatives.
The patient must fill out the two forms within 15 days, and state their consent. A doctor must also certify that they suffer from a chronic, serious disease.
The medical profession has 10 days after the patient’s death request to decide on whether or not to accept it.
For a first evaluation, each Spanish region will have an Evaluation and Monitoring Commission. A second evaluation will then be conducted.
This process can be performed either in hospital or at home.
The doctor will remain with the patient until they die if he or she requests euthanasia.
If, on the contrary, a person wants to be assisted in suicide, it is the patient who will administer the substance. They will also be observed until they die.
If the patient cannot request euthanasia because of a disability but is able put his wish into writing, then a legal representative who is a member of the family can assist.
If the doctor is not confident that the patient can complete the process in its entirety, then the application may be accelerated.
The law also states that health professionals have the ‘the right not to meet the demands and complete any action regulated in this law that is incompatible with their own beliefs’.
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