Vall d'Hebron hospital in Barcelona reported a world‑first facial transplant using tissue from a donor who offered her face prior to assisted dying. The complex surgery, involving about 100 specialists, restored central facial tissue to a recipient named Carme, who had suffered severe necrosis after a bacterial infection. Spain — a long‑standing leader in organ donation that legalised euthanasia in 2021 — confirmed the operation occurred in autumn 2025 and emphasised strict donor–recipient matching rules.
Spain Performs World-First Face Transplant From Donor Who Chose Assisted Dying
Carme, recipient of the world's first face transplant from a donor who had requested assisted dying, poses for a photo with the Hospital Vall d'Hebron surgery team, in Barcelona, Spain, February 2, 2026. Hospital Vall d'Hebron/Handout via REUTERS
Vall d'Hebron hospital in Barcelona has carried out what it describes as a world first: a facial transplant using tissue donated by a person who offered her face before undergoing an assisted‑dying procedure. The hospital said the complex operation transplanted composite tissue from the central face and required the coordinated effort of roughly 100 specialists.
A Donor's Extraordinary Gift
Elisabeth Navas, the hospital's transplant coordinator, praised the donor's decision, saying the woman displayed "a level of maturity that leaves one speechless." Navas added that someone choosing to end their life dedicated one of their final wishes to a stranger, providing that person with a profound second chance.
Carme, recipient of the world's first face transplant from a donor who had requested assisted dying, talks to doctors at Hospital Vall d'Hebron, in Barcelona, Spain, February 2, 2026. Hospital Vall d'Hebron/Handout via REUTERS
About The Recipient And Procedure
The recipient, identified only by her first name, Carme, suffered facial tissue necrosis after a bacterial infection from an insect bite that severely affected her ability to speak, eat and see. Speaking at a press conference, Carme said: "When I'm looking in the mirror at home, I'm thinking that I'm starting to look more like myself," and reported that her recovery was progressing well.
For this type of transplant, strict matching is required: donor and recipient must be the same sex, share a compatible blood group and have a similar head size. Vall d'Hebron noted the operation involved psychiatrists, immunologists and other specialists to address both medical and ethical dimensions of the case.
Carme, recipient of the world's first face transplant from a donor who had requested assisted dying, poses for a photo at Hospital Vall d'Hebron, in Barcelona, Spain, February 2, 2026. Hospital Vall d'Hebron/Handout via REUTERS
Spain's Role In Transplantation And Context
Spain — population about 49.4 million — has been a global leader in organ transplantation for more than three decades. The country legalised euthanasia in 2021, becoming the fourth European Union state to do so. Vall d'Hebron surgeons have performed half of Spain's six facial transplants to date and carried out the world's first full face transplant in 2010.
A hospital spokesperson declined to give the exact date of the recent procedure for privacy reasons but confirmed it took place in the autumn of 2025. National figures show roughly 6,300 organ transplants were performed in Spain last year, with kidney transplants the most common; government data indicate 426 people received assisted dying in 2024.
Reporting: Paolo Laudani. Editing: David Latona and Alex Richardson.
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