Lorraine WilliamsonThe Catalonia euthanasia court ruling delivered on Friday closes the Spanish legal route for a father trying to block his adult daughter’s approved euthanasia in Catalonia. Spain’s Constitutional Court refused to admit his final appeal, saying it found no arguable breach of fundamental rights that would justify constitutional protection.
The decision has immediate practical consequences. Catalonia’s Guarantee and Evaluation Commission can now restart the formal mechanism required to carry out the assisted-dying procedure, according to sources quoted by Spanish media.
Why this case matters beyond one family
Spain legalised euthanasia in 2021 for people with an incurable illness or a “serious, chronic and disabling” condition, with multiple safeguards built into the process. This case has become a national lightning rod because it tests, in public, a difficult boundary: what happens when a close relative fights an adult patient’s approved request through the courts.
It also underlines something many residents still misunderstand. In Spain, assisted dying is not decided by one doctor acting alone. It moves through a structured sequence involving medical reports and a regional oversight commission, with courts able to review the administrative process when challenged.
The case in brief
The woman at the centre of the dispute is a 25-year-old from Barcelona who became paraplegic after a serious injury in 2022 and later sought euthanasia. Her request was approved by Catalonia’s Guarantee and Evaluation Commission in July 2024.
The procedure was halted after her father launched legal action, backed by the group Abogados Cristianos, arguing that her mental health affected her capacity to make the decision. Spanish courts repeatedly upheld the authorisation, and the Supreme Court refused to reopen the case in January 2026.
On 20 February 2026, the Constitutional Court’s decision not to hear the father’s appeal effectively ended the domestic legal battle.
What happens next in Catalonia
With the constitutional challenge rejected, Catalonia’s commission is expected to resume the administrative steps needed to implement the authorisation, including appointing the responsible medical professional, according to reporting based on commission sources.
Abogados Cristianos has said it intends to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights, but that does not automatically suspend the Spanish decision unless a court orders interim measures.
A wider snapshot: how often Spain’s law is used
The ruling lands as Spain continues to normalise assisted dying as a regulated medical pathway, while debate remains fierce among conservative and religious groups. Reuters reported that 426 people received assisted dying in 2024.
Where to find support in Spain
If you’re affected by any of the issues raised by this story, Spain’s 024 mental health line operates 24/7, and in an emergency, you can call 112.
Sources: Reuters, 20 Minutos, Poder Judicial