The EuthanasiaCode specifies the criteria against which the RTE tests euthanasia notifications. This way doctors know in advance where they stand. Patients, family and other interested parties gain a better understanding of how a euthanasia procedure works. The main purpose of this code is to maintain and where possible improve the very careful euthanasia practice that has been established in the Netherlands.
 

  • The latest version of the EuthanasiaCode was published on January 1, 2026. It is currently only available in Dutch. An English translation will be available soon.
  • The EuthanasiaCode 2022 is the second updated version of the EuthanasiaCode and is available in several languages ​​(English, German, French and Spanish). You can download this below.