Euthanasia

Euthanasia: advance declarations recorded as from 1 September 2008

Starting from 1 September 2008, any emancipated adult or non-adult person with an identity number in the National Register may have an advance declaration on euthanasia recorded by the Population department covering that person's place of residence.

Legal framework

- Law of 28 May 2002 on euthanasia, Art. 4. of the advance declaration.

- Royal Decree of 2 April 2003 establishing the procedures for having the advance declaration on euthanasia drawn up, confirmed, revised or withdrawn.

- Royal Decree of 27 April 2007 governing the way the National Register departments record and forward the advance declaration on euthanasia to the relevant medical officers.

Valid for five years

The advance declaration on euthanasia may be made, revised or withdrawn at any time but it remains valid for only 5 years. The declarant has to ensure that the declaration is confirmed every 5 years if the declarant wishes the declaration to remain valid.

Two sections

The declaration comprises two sections. In the first one, the interested party has to state the person's precise and unambiguous wish, should the person no longer be able to express him/herself, for a doctor to carry out the act of euthanasia, subject to the conditions laid down in the Law of 2002. This section features the interested party's personal details.

The advance declaration must be drawn up in the presence of two adult witnesses, one of whom has no material interest in the death of the patient.

The second, optional, section comprises, if the interested party so wishes, the contact details of one or more reliable persons (adults). During  the procedure, the reliable person will be asked by the physician in charge of the case to examine the request for euthanasia.

Physical incapacity

Should a person wishing to make an advance declaration on euthanasia be permanently physically unable to draw up and sign the document (paralysed in both arms, for example), the declaration may be recorded by an adult person who has no interest in the death of the person in question, and in the presence of two adult witnesses, one of whom has no material interest in the death of the declarant.

An advance declaration on euthanasia is recorded by the Population department free of charge.

Population department.

Espace du Coeur de Ville, 2 (1st floor)

1340 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve.
Tel.: 010/420838

The offices are open on Monday from 12.30 pm to 7 pm, from Tuesday to Friday from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm and on Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon.

(not open on Saturday in July and August )

Administrative unit

Grand Place, 32

1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve.

Tel: 010 / 47 54 00

The offices are open on Monday from 12.30 pm to 7 pm and Tuesday to Friday from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm.

Website of the Federal Public Service for Public Health: www.health.fgov.be (search euthanasia)