On July 18, 2025, Slovenia's parliament approved a law permitting assisted dying for terminally ill adults experiencing unbearable suffering with no expectation of improvement. This legislation aligns Slovenia with countries such as Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and certain U.S. states that have legalized assisted dying.
The law stipulates that all treatment options must be exhausted before assisted dying is considered. It also excludes cases involving mental illness as grounds for assisted dying. The legislation follows a consultative referendum held in June 2024, in which 55% of voters supported the introduction of such a law.
Despite the passage of the law, opposition remains. A civil group opposing the new law announced its intention to gather public support to initiate a referendum to potentially overturn the legislation.
This development reflects a broader societal shift towards recognizing individual choices in the face of terminal illness, while also highlighting ongoing ethical dilemmas surrounding this practice.