Spain marks 5‑year euthanasia law anniversary as Netherlands records first child euthanasia

Spain commemorated the five‑year anniversary of its euthanasia law, which made the country the seventh worldwide to regulate a right to a dignified death. Since the law took effect, about 3,700 people have applied for assisted dying, with roughly 1,700 deaths. Around 30 % of applicants died while waiting for a decision, most of them oncology patients. The law has faced legal challenges, notably the high‑profile case of 25‑year‑old Noelia Castillo, whose euthanasia after a 700‑day wait sparked misinformation and prompted appeals by her father, which were dismissed by the Catalan High Court and later upheld by the Supreme Court.

In the Netherlands, health minister Sophie Hermans announced the first instance of euthanasia performed on a minor under 12 years old. The case, involving a child with a severe, incurable condition, is being reviewed by the public prosecutor to determine whether the physician acted in accordance with the law. Dutch legislation, first enacted in 2002, extended eligibility to children aged 1‑12 in 2024, requiring parental consent and strict medical diligence. In 2025, more than 10,000 people died under the Dutch euthanasia law, and officials estimate about five such child cases could occur each year.