Euthanasia and palliative care

The end of a person's life is a time like no other. Above all, death is a very personal subject. Everyone, whatever their age, well or ill, wonders how and when their life will end, and most want to keep the power to control it.

Through its legislative apparatus, Luxembourg gives residents the option of expressing their wishes on the subject, taking an active role, in full awareness of their care plan, and setting out their desires on what courses of treatment they would wish to receive, by writing an advance healthcare directive (in relation to palliative care) and/or end-of-life arrangements (an advance request for euthanasia), in the event that they are no longer able to communicate (e.g. if they are unconscious as a result of accident or illness, dementia).

There are three laws which govern end-of-life arrangements

1. The Law of 16 March 2009 on palliative care, advance healthcare directives and end-of-life care.
2. The Law of 16 March 2009 on euthanasia, assisted suicide and end-of-life arrangements.
3. The Law of 24 July 2014 on patients' rights and responsibilities, which details the relationship between patients and healthcare providers, and emphasises that the patients' wishes must be taken into account.

In order to understand situations where an advance healthcare directive or end-of-life arrangements will come into effect, it is important to distinguish between two possible end-of-life scenarios:

• If you are conscious, you can express your choices at the time. Your express wishes will take precedence over any advance healthcare directive or end-of-life arrangements previously laid down.
• If you are no longer able to express your wishes, being unconscious or incapable (dementia): if an advance healthcare directive and/or end-of-life arrangements are in place, your wishes and instructions must be adhered to, in accordance with the law.