Austria to Reinstate One-Year Limit for Living Wills After Court Ruling

Austria's government has initiated a new regulation concerning the validity of living wills, following a deadline missed for a court-ordered revision. Previously, living wills, which allow individuals to end their lives through assisted suicide under the 2022 law, were valid for one year. However, a late 2024 decision by the Constitutional Court invalidated this time limit, rendering them unlimited.

The government, led by Justice Minister Anna Sporrer, aims to reintroduce a one-year validity period for these directives. This move comes after the court's deadline for amendments passed on June 1, 2026. The proposed legislation seeks to simplify the renewal process, allowing for renewals within a five-year period through a streamlined procedure.

Under the new draft, a doctor's confirmation would be required, verifying that the individual remains capable of making decisions, has a free and self-determined wish to end their life, and still has a qualifying illness. Renewals could be done before a medical professional or a documenting official, such as a notary or patient representative. The bill will undergo public consultation, with feedback due by June 24.

The Society for a Humane End of Life (ÖGHL), which had challenged the previous regulations, had highlighted the difficulties caused by the "time-consuming and costly" formalities. ÖGHL President Christina Kaneider noted that the current unlimited validity offers significant relief for those with progressive illnesses who wish to keep the option of assisted suicide open. The society views the proposed simplified renewal as a "sensible solution."