08/14/2026August 14, 2026Almost half of Bundestag sign up to new ‘opt-out’ organ donor model
More than 200 lawmakers in the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, have signed up to a cross-party initiative seeking to change Germany’s organ donor rules.
The proposal seeks to move from an “opt-in” system to an “opt-out” one.
At present, people in Germany have to carry a donor card, register as an organ donor, or otherwise inform healthcare professionals of their willingness to donate in a legally binding manner before death. If they do not, and they are deemed potentially viable donors, sometimes their next of kin are asked to decide on their behalf — a traumatic and difficult decision in the midst of a bereavement.
With donor rates consistently failing to meet demand, some medical professionals have long advocated a system where instead of declaring your willingness to donate, you are assumed to be a potential donor unless you specifically say you are not a willing participant.
A draft law has been put forward in the Bundestag — not as a government initiative but as a cross party conscience vote, typically for causes with only a narrow chance of success but which politicians nevertheless wish to put in the spotlight.
In this case, however, 245 lawmakers have already signed the motion, in a chamber with 630 politicians. If the bill could gather some more support during the parliamentary process, it might have a chance of progressing.
Parliamentary debate on the bill is scheduled after lawmakers return from the summer break.
Around 8,000 people are currently on donor waiting lists in Germany.