Budget Day: dementia on the agenda, KNB calls for greater acceptance of living wills

The Netherlands will collaborate with other countries also facing an aging society. This is because aging and dementia are important issues on the international agenda. This is according to Hugo de Jonge, Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), in his budget. The Royal Dutch Association of Civil-Law Notaries (KNB) is therefore calling for greater attention to the acceptance of foreign living wills in the Netherlands and Dutch living wills in other European countries.

A living will can specify who will manage financial, medical, and personal affairs if a person is no longer able to do so themselves, and how that person will do so. With such a living will, you maintain control over your life should you eventually lose it, for example, due to dementia. A growing number of Europeans own property in other European countries and/or reside there permanently. However, recognition of a living will from another country isn't always granted. This leads to decisions being made that the person doesn't fully support. The notarial professional association is therefore urging politicians to promote European regulations in this area.