The Netherlands has carried out its first euthanasia on a “seriously ill” child under the age of 12, since expanding its end of life regulations in 2024.

Minister of health, welfare and sport, Sophie Hermans, recently confirmed in a letter to the Dutch House of Representatives, that “at the end of 2025, the committee received its first report of life termination of a child between the ages of 1 and 12 years”.

No details about the child’s circumstances, such as their age, gender or their medical condition, were given.

All Evangelical Focus news and opinion, on your WhatsApp.

Hermans also pointed out that the assessment committee examined the case, spoke to the doctor involved, and forwarded their opinion to the Public Prosecution Service (OM).

It is up to the OM to assess whether the doctor acted in accordance with the law. They will make their final report public shortly.

Compassion, prayers and palliative care

"As Christians, we believe that situations like these call for compassion for the families who find themselves in such tragic circumstances”, said Saskia de Graaf-Bakker, Public Affairs officer of MissieNederland, the body representing evangelical Christians in the Netherlands.

They also “call for prayer for the child's parents and loved ones, as well as for all parents and physicians who are confronted with such heartbreaking decisions”.

De Graaf-Bakker told Christian news website Christian Daily International, that “although MissieNederland holds a pro-life position, we do strongly support high-quality, advanced palliative care that seeks to relieve suffering as much as possible”.

“We believe that excellent palliative care is essential to support the parents in accompanying their seriously ill child with dignity and compassion, without feeling compelled to choose a termination of life”.

Age extension

The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia for adults in 2002.

In 2024, the law was extended to allow children between the ages of 1 and 12 to be euthanized if the child is terminally ill, suffering unbearably with no prospect of improvement, and when no reasonable treatment or palliative care alternative exists.

The procedure also requires “explicit parental consent, extensive consultation with an independent doctor, and a mandatory post-procedure review by an independent committee”.

At the time, it was expected that around five children would qualify for euthanasia per year.

Prior to that extension, euthanasia was already permitted for infants under one year old in exceptional circumstances and for minors aged 12 and over, subject to parental consent.