The issue of euthanasia permeates human existence since ancient times. In order to understand the topic, it is necessary to look at it from several different aspects. This work is primarily based on the legal aspect of euthanasia, but its historical development is also briefly mentioned. It also deals with the topic of disthanasia as a direct opposite of euthanasia, but also with topic of orthothanasia, which stands in the middle of these two opposites. In most countries, euthanasia is still classified as a taboo, but countries such as Netherlands and Belgium are pushing the boundaries and passing laws that allow euthanasia. Switzerland, on the other hand, decides to legalize assisted suicide. As there is no unified concept of euthanasia, there is no single legal solution either, so national legislations are not in accordance. Therefore, the European Court of Human Rights is in a position to indirectly shape the national rights of member states through its judicial practice.