In a landmark decision, Uruguay has become the first Latin American country to legalize euthanasia through legislation, marking a significant shift in the region’s approach to end-of-life rights.
On October 15, 2025, the Uruguayan Senate passed the euthanasia bill with 20 votes in favor out of 31, following earlier approval by the lower house. The new law permits medically assisted euthanasia under strict conditions for patients suffering from incurable and unbearable illnesses. This legislative move positions Uruguay at the forefront of progressive policy-making in the region, following in the judicial footsteps of Colombia and Ecuador, where courts have decriminalized euthanasia. In Chile, a similar bill remains under parliamentary debate.
Key Provisions of the Euthanasia Law
- Eligibility: Patients must suffer from an incurable illness that causes unbearable physical or psychological suffering, even if it is not terminal.
- Mental Competence: Patients must be deemed mentally competent by two independent doctors.
- Performed by Professionals: Euthanasia must be administered by licensed healthcare professionals; assisted suicide, where the patient self-administers medication, remains illegal.
- Minors Excluded: Euthanasia is prohibited for individuals under 18.
- No Waiting Period: Unlike other countries, Uruguay’s law does not require a mandatory waiting period or a specific life expectancy threshold.
A Milestone in Uruguay’s Progressive Reforms
This decision continues Uruguay’s trajectory of progressive legislation, following earlier milestones such as the legalization of recreational marijuana, same-sex marriage, and abortion. The euthanasia debate in Uruguay spanned over five years, involving significant public consultation and political negotiation.
Opposition largely came from the Catholic Church, which emphasized the sanctity of life and the need for palliative care. However, increasing secularization and strong public support for personal autonomy played a crucial role in pushing the bill forward.
Regional and Global Context
Uruguay joins Colombia and Ecuador as the only Latin American countries where euthanasia is legal. However, unlike its neighbors, Uruguay legalized euthanasia through parliamentary legislation, not judicial rulings—setting a legal precedent in the region.
Globally, the law differs from frameworks in:
- Belgium and the Netherlands: Where euthanasia is allowed for minors under specific conditions.
- Australia and New Zealand: Where stricter conditions apply, including time-limited terminal illness diagnoses.
Ethical and Legal Implications
Uruguay’s law attempts to strike a balance between respect for patient autonomy and robust safeguards to prevent abuse. Mandatory psychological evaluations and medical oversight are built into the process to ensure fully informed consent.
While the absence of a waiting period and terminal illness requirement broadens access, it also opens new ethical debates around the definition and assessment of “unbearable suffering”—a concept often viewed subjectively.
Looking Ahead
With this legislative breakthrough, Uruguay sets a regional legal precedent in a continent deeply rooted in Catholic tradition. As other Latin American nations watch closely, Uruguay’s model may influence future debates on end-of-life rights across the region.