Finance
Spain performs pioneering face transplant from donor who requested assisted dying
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on February 2, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 2, 2026
Quick Summary
Spain conducted a pioneering face transplant from a donor who chose euthanasia, highlighting its leadership in organ transplants.
Spain Achieves Historic Face Transplant from Donor Who Chose Euthanasia
Pioneering Face Transplant Surgery
MADRID, Feb 2 (Reuters) - A hospital in Barcelona said on Monday it had performed a pioneering facial transplant in which the donor, in a world first, had offered her face for donation before undergoing an assisted dying procedure.
Details of the Surgery
The complex surgery involved transplanting composite tissue from the central part of the face and required the participation of around 100 professionals, including psychiatrists and immunologists, the prestigious Vall d'Hebron hospital said in a statement.
The hospital's transplant coordinator, Elisabeth Navas, said the donor had showed "a level of maturity that leaves one speechless".
"Someone who has decided to end their life dedicates one of their last wishes to a stranger and gives them a second chance of this magnitude," Navas said.
GLOBAL LEADER IN ORGAN TRANSPLANTS
Recipient's Journey
The recipient - identified only by her first name Carme - had suffered facial tissue necrosis from a bacterial infection caused by an insect bite, affecting her ability to speak, eat and see.
"When I'm looking in the mirror at home, I'm thinking that I'm starting to look more like myself," Carme told a press conference on Monday, adding her recovery was going very well.
For such cases requiring facial transplants, donor and recipient must share the same sex, blood group and have a similar head size.
Spain's Organ Donation Leadership
With a population of 49.4 million, Spain has been a global leader in organ transplants for more than three decades. In 2021, it became the fourth European Union country to legalise euthanasia.
Half of the six facial transplants ever done in Spain have been performed by Vall d'Hebron staff. The Catalan hospital also carried out the world's first full face transplant back in 2010.
A spokesperson for the hospital declined to say the exact date of the procedure for privacy reasons, but told Reuters it took place during the autumn of 2025.
Some 6,300 organ transplants were performed last year in Spain, according to Health Ministry data, with kidney transplants being the most common.
In 2024, 426 people received assistance in dying, government data shows.
(Reporting by Paolo Laudani; Editing by David Latona and Alex Richardson)
Key Takeaways
- •Spain performed a pioneering face transplant.
- •The donor chose euthanasia and donated her face.
- •The recipient, Carme, is recovering well.
- •Spain is a leader in organ transplants.
- •Vall d'Hebron hospital led the surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spain performs pioneering face transplant from donor who requested assisted dying
1What is organ donation?
Organ donation is the process of giving an organ or a part of an organ to be transplanted into another person. It can save lives and improve the quality of life for recipients.
2What is a face transplant?
A face transplant is a surgical procedure that involves replacing all or part of a person's face with donor tissue. It is typically performed on individuals with severe facial injuries or deformities.
3What is euthanasia?
Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a person's life to relieve them from suffering, often due to terminal illness. It is a controversial topic and is legal in some countries under specific conditions.
4What is a bacterial infection?
A bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria invade the body, multiply, and cause illness. Common examples include strep throat, urinary tract infections, and skin infections.
