The Bundestag is debating the introduction of objection regulations for organ donations

In the struggle for more life-saving organ donations, a new attempt is being made to make far-reaching changes to donation rules. In the Bundestag, a group of representatives is submitting a draft for a change to the objection regulation. For adults, that would mean: Everyone is automatically considered an organ donor after death - unless you actively object to this. To date, express consent has been required for withdrawals. But there is also a counterproposal. There is no vote in Parliament yet.

For the supporters of the objection regulation, it is already the third attempt - after a first initiative failed in the Bundestag in 2020 and a second one was no longer put to a vote due to the early election in 2025.

What the proponents want

The group with representatives from the CDU, CSU, SPD, Left and Greens argues that many improvements in recent years have not led to a significant increase in donation numbers. A donation should therefore become the “norm”. In the future, organ removal from people who are of legal age and capable of consent should be permitted even if they have “not objected”. Increased information is planned. The supporters include the former health ministers Jens Spahn (CDU) and Karl Lauterbach (SPD). There is also a Bundesrat bill in the Bundestag that aims to introduce an objection regulation.

What another group wants

A second cross-party group of MPs also wants to see more organ donations, but through more information and calls for decision-making. She is strictly against the objection regulation. “Silence should not be viewed as consent,” is a core argument. The right to self-determination also includes not making a decision without personal consequences. With an application, the group aims, among other things, to ask all citizens "promptly" after their 18th birthday to express their willingness to donate and to record their wishes - in addition to yes and no, also "undecided".

What the prospects are

The draft bill for objection regulations is supported by 254 MPs - the contra proposal is initially supported by 58 MPs. What majority will ultimately emerge in the Bundestag with its total of 630 members remains to be seen in the coming months. For the first reading there is now a debate, as is often the case with ethical questions, without the usual party lines. Next comes committee deliberations on the initiatives.

What the situation is like with organ donations

Organs such as kidneys, livers and hearts for seriously ill patients have long been urgently needed. Last year, 985 people gave up one or more organs for others after death, according to the coordinating German Organ Transplantation Foundation. This was the highest level since 2012. At the same time, there were 8,200 people on waiting lists at the end of 2025. In general, the problem is that many people - generally speaking - have a positive attitude towards organ donation, but then have no desire to do so.

Where you can deposit your will

A basic yes or no to organ donation after death can be documented on an organ donor card, in a living will or otherwise on paper. It has also been online since March 2024: on the portal www.organspende-register.de you can digitally document your attitude from the age of 16. There are currently almost 633,000 declarations, as the operator, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, announced. 82 percent fully agreed to organ removal, although it is only possible for certain organs. 8.7 percent lodged an objection.