A living will can be drafted independently on paper, but for legal validity with institutions such as banks, a notarial deed is required. This document allows you to record your financial, medical and personal wishes for situations where you can no longer make decisions independently.
Why a living will brings peace of mind
The prospect of losing control through illness or an accident concerns many people. Without preparation, the law determines who decides for you — through a court-appointed guardian. This is a lengthy, costly process with no guarantee that the appointed person knows your wishes.
More than 1.8 million Dutch residents have now drawn up a living will; 263,000 were added last year alone.
The two pillars of the living will
A complete living will consists of two complementary parts:
- Financial power of attorney — grants someone authority to manage your finances, from paying bills to property transactions
- Medical-personal power of attorney — records your care wishes and grants someone authority to communicate with doctors on your behalf
Choosing your representative
Designate one or more trusted persons. Common choices are a spouse, adult children, close friends or professionals. You can opt for:
- A single representative — efficient, requires full trust
- Multiple independent representatives — flexible, but requires internal coordination
- Multiple representatives requiring joint approval — extra oversight, but sometimes slower
Also name a successor in case the primary choice is unable or unwilling to serve.
Recording medical and personal wishes
This part goes beyond bureaucracy — it preserves your voice for moments when you can no longer speak. By making your wishes clear now, you prevent impossible decisions falling on the shoulders of your loved ones.
- Treatment refusal — which specific treatments you decline and under which circumstances
- Do-not-resuscitate declaration — your wish not to have CPR applied
- Euthanasia request — formal documentation for unbearable and hopeless suffering
- Medical power of attorney — who makes decisions on your behalf and may access your medical records
Also discuss daily preferences: where do you want to live, what clothing do you prefer, what constitutes quality of life for you?
Notarial or self-prepared?
Self-preparation may seem cheaper, but banks, insurers and care providers only accept notarially recorded documents. The notary verifies your identity, assesses your mental capacity, ensures legally watertight wording and registers the living will in the Central Living Will Register (CLTR).
Notary fees typically range from €345 to €1,000. View this not as a cost but as an investment in certainty and peace of mind.
A perfectly drafted document has no value if it cannot be found when it is needed.
Accessibility and management
Registration in the Central Living Will Register (CLTR) is essential. Platforms such as the Digital Safe by Registor store a secure copy alongside your insurance, banking and access details.
Review your living will every five years to confirm it still reflects your current wishes and circumstances.