Austria amends assisted-dying law: death disposition renewal introduced, 5-year deadline set
The Sterbeverfügungs-Novelle 2026 amends Austria's Death Disposition Act (StVfG), adding a renewal mechanism for existing death dispositions, a 5-year creation deadline, and tighter role-separation rules. Most changes take effect immediately upon publication; renewal before a doctor is permitted from 1 February 2027.
What changed
New § 8a allows a death disposition (Sterbeverfügung) to be renewed in writing within five years of its original creation without repeating the full procedure—only a doctor's confirmation no older than one year is required, and multiple renewals are permitted. A disposition now automatically expires one year after creation or the most recent renewal. It must also be created within five years of the initial medical counseling on treatment alternatives. Only persons habitually resident in Austria or Austrian citizens may create a valid disposition.
Who is affected
People in Austria with a terminal illness or a serious, permanently debilitating chronic illness who wish to use the assisted-dying procedure. The role-separation rule is tightened: the person providing assistance may not also act as the counseling doctor, the confirming doctor, or the documenting person.
What to look out for
Renewal before a doctor (rather than only before a notary or court) becomes available from 1 February 2027. Death dispositions created before the Novelle 2026 are also subject to the new one-year validity and renewal rules. The copy held by the responsible custodian must be destroyed ten years after creation, with that period resetting on each renewal.