Who requests euthanasia in the Balearic Islands and how does the process work?

PalmaThe euthanasia law, in force in Spain since June 2021, has been progressively implemented in the Balearic Islands, where to date 116 people have requested this benefit and 40 have died after accessing it within the public health system.

The debate on this right has returned to the forefront following the case of the young Catalan woman Noelia Castillo, who received euthanasia in Barcelona last March after a long judicial process. The case has reopened the social discussion about the scope and application of the Organic Law regulating euthanasia.

This norm recognizes the right to request euthanasia for people with a serious and incurable illness or with chronic and disabling suffering that implies constant and unbearable physical or psychological suffering.

Sustained increase in requests

According to data from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Health, applications have grown steadily since the law came into force: 9 in 2021, 25 in 2022, 37 in 2023, and 45 in 2024. In parallel, the benefits provided have also increased, with 6 cases in both 2021 and 2022, 11 in 2023, and 17 in 2024.

Despite this increase, the incidence remains low: in 2024, 0.05 applications were registered per 1,000 inhabitants and 0.01 benefits, positioning euthanasia as a minority practice within the health system.

By islands, Mallorca accounts for the majority of cases, with 64 applications and 24 benefits between 2023 and 2024. It is followed by Ibiza, with 14 applications and 3 benefits, while in Menorca and Formentera the incidence is much lower.

Profile of applicants

The majority profile is that of an elderly man. 63.6% of people who have requested euthanasia are men, with an average age of between 67 and 70 years. The most common range is between 50 and 79 years, especially between 70 and 79.

Among the people who have finally received the service, the average age is 69.5 years, with a balanced distribution between men and women.

Regarding the causes, oncological and neurological diseases are the most frequent. In 2024, 19 requests were related to oncological pathologies and 14 to neurological diseases, followed by cases of advanced pluripathology and respiratory diseases.

A complex and long process

The majority of requests (84%) are processed from primary care, which highlights the central role of family doctors in the process. The service is mainly provided in hospitals (41.2%), although it is also carried out at home (35.3%) and in residences (23.5%).

The average time between the first request and the service is 71.2 days, although it can vary depending on each case.

One of the most relevant data is that a significant portion of applicants die before completing the procedure. In 2024 alone, 14 people died during the processing, often without having formalized the second request required by law. This situation reflects the fragility of patients and the complexity of the process.

Guarantees and system control

The system includes control mechanisms to ensure that all legal requirements are met. In 2024, ten unfavorable reports were issued and six complaints were registered with the guarantee and evaluation committee, of which only one was upheld. Furthermore, three voluntary revocations occurred, confirming that the decision can be reconsidered at any time.

Overall, the data show a progressive implementation of euthanasia in the Balearic Islands, still with a reduced incidence but with a sustained increase and an open social debate about its scope and application.