The choices in the Donor Register
Everyone in the Netherlands aged 18 and older is listed in the Donor Register. In the Donor Register, you can indicate what may happen to your organs and tissues after you pass away.
If you register a choice in the Donor Register, you can choose from four options. If you do not fill in a choice yourself, ‘no objection to organ donation’ will be listed next to your name. After your death, you can then become an organ and tissue donor.
In this video we explain what choices are available and why it is important to discuss your choice with the people who are important to you.
What choices are available in the Donor Register?
When registering your choice in the Donor Register, you are given four options:
Yes, I want to be a donor
You want to be a donor after your death. Organs you can donate include: pancreas, intestines, heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys. You can donate these tissues: tissues: blood vessels, bone tissue, heart valves, cartilage, tendons, skin, and eyes. You might prefer not to donate certain organs or tissues. You can indicate your preference per organ or tissue.
No, I do not want to be a donor
You do not want to be a donor. Therefore, after your death, you will not donate any organs or tissues.
My partner or family will decide after my death
After your death, your partner or family may make the choice. If your partner is reachable or present in the hospital, the physician will speak with your partner. Your partner can then choose whether or not you become an organ and tissue donor.
If you do not have a partner, or if your partner is not reachable or present in the hospital, the physician will speak with your family. They may then decide whether or not you donate organs and tissues.
If no partner or family is present, but this is the choice registered in the Donor Register, you will not become a donor. If there is disagreement about the choice, you will also not become a donor.
I designate one person to decide after my death
You want someone else to choose for you after your death. This person can also live abroad. Discuss this with the person you choose. You then enter this person's details in the Donor Register.
If this person cannot be reached after your death, your partner or family will decide whether or not you become a donor.
How can I submit my choice?
You can submit your choice in the Donor Register at mijn.donorregister.nl. You will need a DigiD for this. Don't have a DigiD or prefer to fill out a paper form? Then you can request a form here, on the Donor Register website.
Frequently asked questions
What if you don't fill in a choice in the Donor Register?
If people do not fill in a choice themselves, they are registered in the Donor Register with 'no objection to organ donation'. They will receive a confirmation letter about this.
No objection means that your organs and tissues can go to a patient after your death. You will then become an organ donor.
Can you still change your choice in the Donor Register?
Yes, you can always change your choice again. You can do this 24 hours a day by logging in via Donorregister.nl. You can change your choice as often as you like.
Can I choose what I do and do not donate?
Yes, you can choose for yourself whether and what you do or do not want to donate. You can submit your choice on the Donor Register website. In addition to choosing whether or not you want to be a donor, you can also specify there which organs and tissues you do or do not want to donate.
How do I know if I am suitable to donate?
Everyone can submit a choice in the Donor Register, even if you have an illness or live an unhealthy lifestyle, for example. Whether someone can donate organs and tissues depends on many different things. For example, your health, age, and how someone died. Doctors can therefore only determine whether you are suitable at the time of death.