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Assisted dying in Colombia

Colombia is a global pioneer in end-of-life rights, being the first country in Latin America to decriminalize assisted dying and one of the few jurisdictions worldwide to view the “right to a dignified death” as a fundamental constitutional right.

Where the law stands
Decriminalized
Since
1997
Who can ask
Adults/Adolescents
Condition
Unbearable Suffering
Residency
Residents Only

What you need to know.

  • Legal Status: Legal

    Recognized as a fundamental constitutional right, Colombia was the first Latin American country to decriminalize and regulate the practice.

  • Key Legislation

    The legal framework relies on landmark Constitutional Court rulings (C-239/97 and C-233/21) and Ministry of Health resolutions rather than a congressional act.

  • Eligibility

    Current regulations permit both medical assisted dying and voluntary assisted dying for patients with serious, incurable conditions. A terminal diagnosis was removed as a requirement in 2021. It is for citizens or foreign residents only (excluding tourists).

Summary

Decriminalized Since 1997

Unlike many nations where change came through legislation, Colombia’s framework has been forged primarily through a series of landmark Constitutional Court rulings that have progressively expanded access.

Originally decriminalized in 1997 for terminally ill patients, the right remained dormant until 2015 due to a lack of regulation. Today, the country offers a fully regulated framework for both medical assisted and voluntary assisted dying, integrated into the national public health system. Recent rulings have further expanded access to include non-terminal patients with serious, incurable conditions.

Quick Overview

A pioneer in Latin American rights. Colombia stands as the regional leader in end of life choices. It treats “dignified death” not just as a medical option, but as a fundamental human right rooted in human dignity.

The procedure is strictly regulated by the Ministry of Health. Every request must be reviewed by a “Scientific-Interdisciplinary Committee for the Right to Die with Dignity,” composed of a physician, a lawyer, and a psychiatrist or psychologist. While the right is robust, strict residency requirements are in place to prevent medical tourism, meaning the service is only available to Colombians and foreigners with established residency.

Visit DescLAB (World Federation Member) for more info

Visit DMD Colombia (World Federation Member) for more info

How the law came about.

Colombia’s path to legalization has been driven by the Constitutional Court, often in the face of legislative inaction.

  1. 1997

    Ruling C-239/97 (Decriminalization)

    The historic ruling that started it all. The Court decriminalized “mercy killing” by a physician for terminally ill patients who provided informed consent. However, for nearly 18 years, no doctors performed it because there was no regulatory protocol.

  2. 2015

    Resolution 1216

    Following a direct order from the Court, the Ministry of Health issued the first legal protocol, making Colombia the first country in Latin America to actively regulate assisted dying.

  3. 2021

    Ruling C-233 (Non-Terminal Access)

    A major expansion. The Court removed the requirement that a patient must be “terminally ill” (less than 6 months to live), opening access to those with serious, incurable conditions causing intense suffering, even if death is not imminent.

  4. 2022

    Ruling C-164 (Assisted Suicide)

    The Court explicitly decriminalized assisted dying, confirming it as a valid mechanism alongside physician assisted dying.

Who is Eligible?

Access is governed by protocols set by the Ministry of Health (currently Resolution 971 of 2021). To qualify, a person must meet the following strict criteria:

  • Residency: You must be a Colombian national or a foreign resident with a valid visa and residency status (EPS coverage). Tourists are excluded.
  • Age: Adults (18+). Minors are excluded unless in exceptional circumstances.
  • Suffering: The condition must cause intense physical or psychological suffering that the patient considers incompatible with their dignity.
  • Medical Condition: The patient must have a serious, incurable and progressive disease or bodily injury.
    • Update (2021): The condition does not need to be terminal.
  • Competence and Consent: The request must be free, informed and reiterated.
    • Adults: Full autonomy.
    • Adolescents (12–17): Recognized as having capacity, though parental involvement is part of the process.
    • Children (6–12): Allowed only in exceptional cases with strict safeguards proving the child understands the concept of death. (Children under 6 are excluded.)

Our members in Colombia.

Member societies of the World Federation working for the right to die in Colombia.

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