The Netherlands finds euthanasia of child under two years old lawful

According to the Dutch news portal Hart van Nederland, on September 23, prosecutors in the Netherlands completed a review of a case involving euthanasia performed in 2025 on a child under two years old and decided not to bring criminal charges against the doctors. Law enforcement authorities concluded that the physicians had complied with all applicable requirements.

The case involved a boy with severe medical conditions: he had extensive brain damage, severe epilepsy, and breathing problems. The child was born at 26 weeks of gestation and developed serious complications almost immediately after birth.

Since 2024, the Netherlands has had a new procedure allowing euthanasia in exceptional circumstances for children aged 1 to 12, provided that the parents consent and the child is experiencing “unbearable suffering with no prospect of recovery.”

Previously, such a procedure was permitted only for two age groups: infants under one year old and adolescents over 12. Authorities had estimated that after the rules were expanded, the procedure would be used in no more than five cases per year. It is intended for children with incurable illnesses who, according to doctors’ assessments, have only a short time left to live.