Analysis of the application of the Euthanasia Law in Spain: first three years (2021-2023)

Abstract

The law regulating euthanasia in Spain became effective on June 25, 2021. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the application of this law during the first three years of its implementation (2021-2023). As a working methodology, a descriptive review of national and international reports, legal regulations and various scientific articles related to the development of the provision of aid in dying has been carried out. Thus, since the law came into force, 1515 applications for aid in dying benefits (PAM, for its acronym in Spanish) have been processed, and 726 benefits have been provided, with an unequal distribution among the different autonomous communities. The applicants are between 67 and 70 years of age, with no significant differences in terms of sex. The most common diseases among the claimants are neurological and oncological. Most of the requests and benefits are made in the public healthcare setting and are processed mainly by primary care physicians. The study concludes by pointing out that the euthanasia law has come to complete the recognition of the autonomy and rights of patients at the end of life. The law has succeeded in providing a legal response to the demand for regulation of euthanasia, but it still presents certain problems that need to be addressed and resolved.

Keywords: Legislation; euthanasia; assisted suicide; aid in dying; assisted death.