There is no legally recognised form for advance directives in Italy. Therefore, anyone can make an advance directive concerning the type of care that they would or would not like to receive in specific situations when they are no longer able to express their wishes. Although the advance directive would be merely advisory, it is possible, according to Law no. 6/2004 to designate a support curator and to write the advance directive for his/her attention and for the attention of the tutelary judge.

Conditions surrounding the writing, validity and registering of an advance directive

The advance directive should refer to specific treatment or situations and cannot include a request for something that is illegal.

To designate a support curator by means of an advance directive, a person must have the necessary capacity to do so. The designation must be made in writing in the form of notarial document. It is in this document that the person can write an advance directive for the attention of the support curator and the tutelary judge.

What an advance directive can cover

The advance directive can cover:

• The treatment of medical conditions;
• Care and welfare decisions;
• Research;
• Basic care;
• Life-supporting treatment;
• Life-saving treatment