How to Opt Out of Organ Donation in Ireland: HSE Guide

Since 17 June 2025, most adults living in Ireland are presumed to consent to organ donation unless they’ve officially registered otherwise. The system, known as soft opt-out, means you don’t have to do anything if you want to be a donor—but if you don’t, you’ll need to add your name to the HSE opt-out register.

Minimum age to opt out: 18 · Required for opt-out: PPS number · Residency requirement: Living in Ireland 1 year+ · Opt-out contact: HSE Live 1800 700 700 · Family override: No, wishes respected

The key facts about Ireland’s organ donation system are summarised in the table below.

How do I opt out of organ donation in Ireland?

Ireland’s opt-out register went live on 17 June 2025 following the Human Tissue Act 2024, which fundamentally changed how organ donation works in the country. The legislation shifted from a system where people had to actively register to become organ donors, to one where consent is presumed unless someone has formally opted out. President Michael D. Higgins signed the Act into law on 28 February 2024 (Nolan Farrell & Goff), after it passed through the Dáil on 21 February 2024.

Eligibility requirements

• You must be 18 years of age or older
• You must have a Personal Public Service (PPS) number
• You must be living in Ireland for at least one year

These requirements ensure that the opt-out system applies to people who have established residency in Ireland and can make an informed decision about donation. Children under 18 are excluded from the opt-out system entirely, and donation decisions for them will continue to be made by their next of kin. People who lack the capacity to make an informed decision about opting out are also excluded, and their families will always be consulted.

Online registration process

To add your name to the opt-out register, you will need to visit the HSE organ donation opt-out register page (HSE, Ireland’s health service). You will need your PPS number and basic personal information including your date of birth. Identity verification is done through your PPS number, and you may also need to provide supporting documentation if requested.

After submitting your details, your opt-out registration is recorded in the national system and will be checked in the event of your death under circumstances where organ donation might be possible.

Phone opt-out option

If you do not have a PPS number or experience difficulties with the online registration process, you can call HSE Live on 1800 700 700 to complete your opt-out registration by phone (HSE). This option ensures that people who face barriers with the online system can still exercise their right to opt out.

How do I remove myself from the organ donor list in Ireland?

Removing yourself from the organ donor list in Ireland means adding your name to the HSE opt-out register. This registration prevents organ donation and ensures your wishes are respected. Once on the opt-out register, your next of kin will not be approached about organ donation (HSE), removing what can be a difficult decision from them during an already painful time.

Checking current status

There is no public-facing tool to check whether your name appears on the opt-out register. If you are unsure whether you have previously opted out, the safest approach is to register your decision through the HSE opt-out register portal. The act of registering confirms your current status.

Updating or removing from register

If you previously opted out and wish to become a potential donor, you can remove yourself from the opt-out register through the same HSE portal. The process is reversible—you can update your registration as many times as your circumstances change. It is not possible to opt out of donation of individual organs under the new system; the registration covers all relevant organs (Irish Times). This means you cannot, for example, opt out of kidney donation while allowing heart donation.

Your next of kin cannot override or change your registered decision after your death (HSE). The register is checked when someone dies in hospital on a ventilator and organ donation is medically possible. If your name appears on the opt-out register, the donation process stops there.

Is organ donation compulsory in Ireland?

No, organ donation is not compulsory in Ireland. The soft opt-out system introduced on 17 June 2025 means that consent for organ donation is deemed to exist unless a person has registered a wish not to become an organ donor after death (Department of Health). However, this deemed consent does not override your right to opt out, and your registered decision will be respected.

Soft opt-out system explained

The soft opt-out system represents a middle ground between the old opt-in approach and a fully mandatory system. Before the Human Tissue Act 2024, Ireland operated on an opt-in basis where organ donation required active registration and family consent (Department of Health). The new legislation changes this by establishing that consent is presumed.

Under the soft opt-out system, if you have not registered an opt-out, donation specialists will speak with your next of kin about organ donation. However, organ donation will only proceed if your next of kin provide consent (HSE). This means that even if you have not opted out, your family still has a say in whether donation proceeds. The system is designed to support donation while respecting both individual and family autonomy.

Can I change if I don’t want to be an organ donor?

Yes, you can change your decision about organ donation at any time. If you previously registered to opt out but have since changed your mind, you can remove yourself from the opt-out register through the HSE portal. There is no restriction on how many times you can update your registration, and you can switch between donor and non-donor status as your views evolve.

Changing mind after opt-out

If you have previously added your name to the opt-out register and no longer wish to be excluded from organ donation, you can reverse that decision by submitting a removal request through the same online system or by calling HSE Live. Your status updates immediately upon processing, and you will be treated as someone who has not opted out for any future assessment of your donation eligibility.

Removing from opt-out register

The process of removing yourself from the opt-out register is straightforward. Log into the HSE organ donation opt-out register, navigate to your registration details, and submit a removal request. If you encounter difficulties, the HSE Live helpline at 1800 700 700 can assist with the process. Once removed, your decision reverts to the default: consent for organ donation is deemed but your next of kin will be consulted before any donation proceeds.

How many people have opted out of organ donation in Ireland?

As of this writing, precise figures on how many people have registered to opt out of organ donation in Ireland since 17 June 2025 are not publicly available in official statistics. The implementation of the soft opt-out system is recent, and data on registration numbers may be published as the system matures and is reviewed.

Current opt-out statistics

The Irish Times has reported that in the year before the soft opt-out system took effect on 17 June 2025, Ireland performed 263 organ transplants from 84 deceased and 30 living donors. This occurred under the previous opt-in framework where consent was not presumed. The impact of the new soft opt-out system on transplantation rates will become clearer as more data accumulates in the coming months and years.

The Act introduced the concept of a “designated family member” to be consulted prior to donation of organs and tissues from deceased persons (Nolan Farrell & Goff), and also created a pathway for non-directed altruistic living donations where someone can donate a kidney to a person they do not know personally.

Steps to opt out of organ donation in Ireland

The process to add your name to the HSE opt-out register is straightforward. Here is what you need to do:

1. Check your eligibility: Confirm you are aged 18 or over, have a PPS number, and have lived in Ireland for at least one year.
2. Gather your information: You will need your PPS number, date of birth, and supporting identity documents such as an Irish driving licence or passport.
3. Visit the HSE opt-out register page: Navigate to the online registration portal (HSE).
4. Complete the registration form: Enter your personal details and PPS number as prompted. Follow the identity verification steps.
5. Submit your opt-out registration: Review your details and submit. Your registration will be processed and recorded in the national system.
6. Alternatively, call HSE Live: If you encounter issues or prefer phone assistance, call 1800 700 700 to complete your registration by phone.

Upsides and Downsides of the Opt-Out System

The shift to a soft opt-out system in Ireland is an opportunity for people to record their wishes and for families to be aware of those wishes, reducing the burden of decision-making at a very difficult time.

— Dr Colm Henry, HSE Chief Clinical Officer

This legislation represents a significant step forward for organ donation policy in Ireland, and will give more people the opportunity to save lives through donation.

— Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ireland’s opt-out system represents a significant shift in how organ donation consent is managed. For those who want to ensure their wishes are respected, registering with the HSE is the definitive step. The process takes minutes online or by phone, and your decision carries legal weight that family members cannot overturn.

Related reading: HSE Civil Registration Service · Widow’s Pension Eligibility Ireland: Cohabiting Rules

Frequently asked questions