0. Introduction 1. Why Switzerland? 2. What services could be expected in the UK? 3. The Law
4. The end-of-life Centres
4.1 How do they operate 4.2 Addresses and contact points 4.3 Main differences between them 4.4 Membership 4.5 Eligibility Criteria
5. Will you qualify?
5.1 Does your age make a difference 5.2 Can you go on your own? 5.3 What if you’ve got Parkinsons, Dementia or are taking medication for Depression? 5.4 What if you’re just worried about money?
6. Requirements
6.1 The paperwork requirements 6.2 The fees to be paid
7. How does your life actually come to an end 8. Comparative figures 9. Most people join for the re-assurance
10. Planning your visit
10.1 Forward planning 10.2 Which airport? 10.3 Which hotel? 10.4 Saying the farewells 10.5 What happens when you’ve died? 10.6 Your overall costs
11. Visits to the end-of-life Centres
11.1 My trip in 2022 11.2 Visit to Dignitas 11.3 Visit to Lifecircle 11.4 Visit to Pegasos 11.5 A note about EX International
12. Can a change be expected?
12.1 Will the UK Law Change? 12.2 Will the Swiss Law Change
13. Opinions of the churches 14. Summary and conclusions 15. Appendix 1 – Relevant websites 16. Appendix 2 – Procedure on the day – the rules from Dignitas (excerpt from “How Dignitas works”) 17. Terminology
Section 14

Summary and conclusions

“All the centres work on a not-for-profit basis”

The law in England and Wales will probably change in 2027 but not before that.

Switzerland is the only country in the world that admits visitors seeking to end their lives by means of assisted suicide. The five providers of assisted suicide services (Dignitas, Pegasos, Athanasios, Lifecircle and EX International) are the only organisations in the world capable of offering such services on a fully legal basis. This website, www.theswitzerlandalternative.com, is the only website in the world that provides detailed, unbiased and free information upon the services available.

If you go to Switzerland, the total cost is going to be between £12,500 and £14,000.   You can, of course, apply for a reduction in the Centre’s fees if you have limited funds. Zurich can be slightly more expensive than Basel.

The Switzerland option is not a high-risk choice.

Dignitas appears more thorough in its preparation and documentation.   Pegasos and Athanasios are younger and are broader in their criteria for acceptance. Lifecircle is slightly more personal in its service but, since the Autumn of 2022, has been closed to new members. EX International prefers its clients to provide the location.

Assisted suicides take place in buildings that are efficient and functional – but they are not all beautiful.

Dignitas and EX International ask you to drink the medication.   Lifecircle, Pegasos and Athanasios want you to use a cannula in a vein.   The cannula is a bit faster.

Most people choose to be cremated and to have their ashes returned later. Alternatively, your body can be transported back home in a coffin.

Anyone coming with you should expect to stay for two or three nights in total.

All the end-of-life centres operate on a not-for-profit basis.   No one is making money out of them.   For people with modest means, they make allowances if they can. All are driven by belief in freedom of choice.

You need to be careful about possible effects upon beneficiaries in your Will.

Read Next Section >
Section 15

Appendix 1 – Relevant websites
© THE SWITZERLAND ALTERNATIVE 2025