Austria

Overview

Austria's Constitutional Court (VfGH) struck down the ban on assisted suicide in December 2020, ruling it unconstitutional. Parliament enacted a regulated framework (Sterbeverfügungsgesetz — Dying Disposition Act) effective January 1, 2022.

Austria permits assisted suicide only — a physician prescribes a life-ending medication which the patient self-administers. Euthanasia (physician-administered) remains prohibited.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an Austrian citizen or have primary residence in Austria
• Must be 18 or older
• Must have a terminal illness or a serious, long-term condition causing ongoing suffering
• Must have decision-making capacity
• Two medical assessments required: one by a palliative care specialist and one by a psychiatrist or neurologist (to confirm capacity)
• Minimum 12-week waiting period between the two medical consultations (reduced to 2 weeks if death is expected imminently)
• Declaration notarized before a notary or court

The Process

• Patient consults a palliative care physician who documents eligibility
• Patient consults a second specialist (psychiatrist/neurologist) confirming mental capacity
• Patient waits the mandatory period, then executes a formal dying declaration (Sterbeverfügung) before a notary
• Declaration is registered in a national database
• Patient collects the prescribed medication from a designated pharmacy
• Patient self-administers at a time and place of their choosing

Key Organizations & Resources

• Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection — sozialministerium.at
• Verein Letzte Hilfe Österreich
• Hospiz Österreich

Legal Contacts

• Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection — The regulatory authority overseeing the Assisted Dying Act (Sterbeverfügungsgesetz) enacted in 2022. Publishes official forms and procedural information. sozialministerium.at
• Death Assistance Associations (Sterbehilfe-Vereine) — Registered organisations authorised to facilitate access to life-ending medication under the 2022 law. Membership and formal consultation with two physicians are required prerequisites.
• Austrian Bar Association (Österreichischer Rechtsanwaltskammertag) — For legal counsel on advance directives, the death assistance declaration process, and patient rights under the Sterbeverfügungsgesetz. rechtsanwaelte.at

Medical Contacts

• Austrian Medical Chamber (Österreichische Ärztekammer) — Professional body for Austrian physicians; provides guidance on the mandatory consultation roles required by law and on conscientious objection. aerztekammer.at
• Österreichische Gesellschaft für Palliativmedizin (OGP) — The national palliative medicine society; connects patients with specialist palliative care teams across Austria. palliativ.at
• Two Mandatory Physician Consultations — Austrian law requires consultations with two independent physicians (one must be a specialist in palliative medicine) before a death assistance declaration can be issued. Ask your primary physician to arrange the required assessments.

Important: Contact details and eligibility requirements change. Always verify information directly with each organisation before taking any action.