Switzerland
Overview
Switzerland has permitted assisted suicide for decades under Article 115 of the Swiss Penal Code, which only criminalizes assisted suicide if the assisting party acts from selfish motives. This created a legal space for non-profit organizations to provide assistance.
Switzerland is unique globally in allowing non-residents to travel there for assisted dying."
Note: Active euthanasia (where a physician administers the the medication) remains illegal in Switzerland. Only assisted suicide (where the patient self-administers) is permitted.
Eligibility (Organization-Dependent)
Eligibility criteria are set by the individual organizations, not federal law. Common requirements across Dignitas and Exit:
- Must be mentally competent and acting of free will
- Must have a terminal or serious incurable illness causing significant suffering (varies by organization)
- Must be able to self-administer the prescribed medication
- Medical documentation of condition required
- Dignitas: accepts non-Swiss residents; Exit: Swiss residents only
Key Organizations
- Dignitas — Accepts international members; based in Forch (Zurich canton)
- Exit Deutsche Schweiz — German-speaking Swiss residents only
- Exit ADMD — French-speaking Swiss residents only
- Lifecircle / Eternal Spirit — Accepts non-residents (smaller organization)
Statistics & Context
- Dignitas has assisted over 3,500+ people since 1998, including many from Germany, UK, France, and beyond
- The Swiss federal government has repeatedly declined to further regulate or restrict assisted suicide
- A 2011 federal study recommended against additional legislation
- Some Swiss cantons have attempted (and failed) to restrict access for non-residents
Resources
- Federal Department of Justice and Police — ejpd.admin.ch
- Dignitas — dignitas.ch
- Exit Deutsche Schweiz — exit.ch
Legal Contacts
- Dignitas — Switzerland-based organisation that assists members — including non-residents from abroad — with accompanied suicide. Provides detailed membership, eligibility, and application information. dignitas.ch
- Exit Deutsche Schweiz — Assists Swiss residents in German-speaking cantons with accompanied suicide; also provides advance directives and palliative care guidance. Membership required. exit.ch
- Exit ADMD Suisse romande — Serves Swiss residents in French-speaking cantons with the same services as Exit Deutsche Schweiz. exit-romandie.ch
Medical Contacts
- Swiss Medical Association (FMH) — The national professional body for Swiss physicians; publishes ethical guidelines on assisted suicide and the boundaries of physician participation. fmh.ch
- palliative ch — Swiss Society for Palliative Medicine — National network for palliative care providers; connects patients with specialist teams across Switzerland. palliative.ch
- Your General Practitioner — A willing GP is required to confirm the terminal or serious diagnosis and write the prescription for the life-ending medication. Dignitas and Exit can assist in finding a cooperative physician if your own GP declines.
Important: Contact details and eligibility requirements change. Always verify information directly with each organisation before taking any action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is assisted dying legal in Switzerland?
Article 115 of the Swiss Penal Code only criminalises assisting a suicide for selfish motives. This long-standing provision created legal space for non-profit organisations to help people who self-administer the medication.
Can non-residents use it?
Yes. Switzerland is the only country widely associated with accepting people from abroad. Dignitas and Lifecircle accept non-residents, while Exit serves Swiss residents only.
Is euthanasia allowed?
No. Only assisted suicide, where the person performs the final act themselves, is permitted; a physician administering the medication remains illegal.
Is a terminal diagnosis required?
Criteria are set by each organisation rather than federal law, but they generally require decision-making capacity, a serious illness causing significant suffering, and medical documentation.