Slovenia Becomes First Eastern European Country to Legalize Medically-Assisted Suicide for Terminally Ill Adults

Slovenian lawmakers approved a law to allow medically-assisted suicide for terminally-ill adults

Slovenia has made history as the first Eastern European nation to legalize medically-assisted suicide for terminally ill adults, following a landmark vote in parliament on Friday. The new legislation marks a significant shift in regional end-of-life policy, aligning Slovenia with a growing number of Western nations that recognize the right to die with dignity.

The bill passed with 50 votes in favor, 34 against, and three abstentions after a heated parliamentary session. The decision comes on the heels of a non-binding referendum last year, where 55% of voters supported granting individuals greater autonomy over end-of-life decisions.

Under the new law, eligibility is restricted to mentally competent adults suffering from terminal illnesses and enduring unbearable pain with no prospect of recovery. Individuals must provide informed, voluntary, and repeated consent, and they must have exhausted all available treatment options. Those diagnosed solely with mental illness are excluded from the scope of the legislation.

Lawmakers passed the bill with 50 votes in favor, 34 against and three abstaining

Implementation of the law will be delayed as authorities work to establish the necessary procedures, regulatory frameworks, and oversight mechanisms. It is expected that each case will require evaluation by multiple medical professionals to ensure ethical and legal compliance.

Supporters of the legislation hailed it as a victory for compassion and human dignity. “This is a victory for compassion and dignity,” said one lawmaker during the proceedings.

Despite its passage, the law remains contentious. A civil rights organization opposing the measure announced plans to seek public support for a potential referendum to overturn the decision. The debate reflects broader tensions between ethical concerns, personal autonomy, and religious or cultural values in the region.

Slovenia now joins countries such as Canada, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Colombia, and Australia, which have already legalized various forms of medically-assisted dying. The United Kingdom recently took a similar step, with its lower chamber approving assisted dying legislation. The bill now awaits debate in the House of Lords.

 Several other countries have legalized medically-assisted suicide

In the United States, 11 states — including California, Oregon, Washington, New Jersey, and Vermont — along with Washington, D.C., permit physician-assisted suicide under specific regulations. Lawmakers in several other U.S. states are currently reviewing similar proposals.

Slovenia’s groundbreaking move is expected to spark further discussion across Eastern Europe, where the right-to-die debate has remained largely taboo.