Canary Islands reports 26.6% increase in Advance Directives

The Canary Islands Health Ministry reported a 26.6 percent increase in the registration of Advance Directives (MAV) during 2025. A total of 4,611 documents were recorded, up from 3,642 in 2024.

Of the new registrations, 63.87 percent were made by women and 35.06 percent by men. Currently, there are 28,276 active advance directives in the Canary Islands. The majority of these filings (86 percent) were processed through public health officials, while 13 percent were handled by notaries.

Advance Directives allow individuals to document their healthcare preferences and medical treatment instructions in writing. This ensures their wishes are respected by medical staff if they lose the capacity to express them personally. The documents also allow for the designation of trusted representatives to oversee the fulfillment of these instructions.