DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
German news & articles
German MPs present plan for opt-out organ donation model
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

German MPs present plan for opt-out organ donation model

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

June 2025: 8 changes affecting expats in GermanyJune 2025: 8 changes affecting expats in Germany
6 steps to getting private therapy covered by public health insurance in Germany6 steps to getting private therapy covered by public health insurance in Germany
How to opt out of an Electronic Patient File (ePA) in GermanyHow to opt out of an Electronic Patient File (ePA) in Germany
What to do if you forget your German health card at homeWhat to do if you forget your German health card at home
Number of heavy smokers in Germany up 50% in 10 yearsNumber of heavy smokers in Germany up 50% in 10 years
New EU plan could see Germany expand restrictions on smokingNew EU plan could see Germany expand restrictions on smoking
How will new reforms affect the Hausarzt system in Germany?How will new reforms affect the Hausarzt system in Germany?
UNICEF: Germany just 25th-best country for children’s wellbeingUNICEF: Germany just 25th-best country for children’s wellbeing
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usImpressumSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Jun 24, 2024
Olivia Logan

Editor at IamExpat Media

Editor for Germany at IamExpat Media. Olivia first came to Germany in 2013 to work as an Au Pair. Since studying English Literature and German in Scotland, Freiburg and Berlin she has worked as a features journalist and news editor.Read more

A cross-party group of MPs in the Bundestag have presented a plan for Germany to adopt an opt-out organ donation system to reduce waiting times and shortages.

German MPs present opt-out organ donation plan

A group of nine MPs from the SPD, CDU / CSU, Greens, FDP and Left parties in the German parliament have presented a plan for the country to introduce an opt-out organ donation system.

Currently, people living in Germany have to consent as potential organ donors by registering. Under the new system, also known as “presumed consent”, everyone living in Germany would be automatically added to the register and would have to opt out in order to have their name removed.

A 2023 study by the Leibniz Institute of Economic Research at the University of Munich found that while introducing opt-out methods is not a single solution to organ donation waiting list delays, it “effectively contributes to it considerably”. There are currently 8.400 people in Germany currently waiting to receive an organ transplant.

19 of the 27 EU member states, including Austria, Sweden and Spain, already have an opt-out organ donation system.

Bundestag rejected the opt-out policy in 2020

In 2020, 379 German MPs voted against and 292 in favour of introducing an opt-out model. While the proposal was rejected, alternative solutions were adopted to increase the number of organ donors, including regularly reminding people to register and making online registrations possible.

The latter policy was delayed by coronavirus but eventually introduced in March 2024, and Germany saw nearly 100.000 new organ donors sign up within a month of online registration becoming possible.

Thumb image credit: nitpicker / Shutterstock.com

By Olivia Logan