Living will –
your medical wishes, in writing
Determine now which medical treatments you want or refuse if you are no longer able to express yourself.
Your medical wishes, in writing
A living will is a legally binding document in which you determine which medical measures should be taken or avoided if you find yourself in a state of incapacity of judgement. It is regulated in the Swiss Civil Code (CC Art. 370–373).
Unlike an advance care directive, a living will does not designate a representative person, but directly sets out your medical wishes – for example regarding life-sustaining measures, operations or palliative care.
Important: Doctors and nursing staff are legally required to respect a living will, provided it has been validly drawn up and you are incapable of judgement at the relevant time.
How to write my living will
Reflect on your values
What matters to you in life? What does quality of life mean to you? These reflections form the basis of your living will.
Define situations
Think about specific situations: what do you want in case of a coma, advanced dementia, a terminal illness? Which life-sustaining measures would you accept?
Use a form or write yourself
There are official forms from the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS) or other organisations. You can also write your own living will – it must be signed and dated.
Give to your family doctor
Your family doctor keeps the document in your file and can make it available during hospitalisations. Also give a copy to your trusted person named in the advance care directive.
Your medical wishes
Your decisions, even without words
In a medical emergency, doctors must act quickly. Without a living will, they follow standard medical protocols – not necessarily your wishes. Your living will ensures that your values and wishes remain central, even if you can no longer speak.
What many people want to know
Yes, perfectly. The advance care directive designates a trusted person. The living will sets out your specific medical wishes. Together they ensure you are fully represented.
Yes, at any time – as long as you have capacity of judgement. It is recommended to review your living will every 5 years or after major changes in your health.
In an emergency, doctors cannot apply what they do not know. It is therefore essential to give the living will to your family doctor, the hospital and your loved ones.
Questions about
your living will?
We advise you free of charge and personally. Call us or send us a message.