While Pegasos says they're willing to euthanize seemingly healthy people without any medical conditions, chances of that happening are still low unless if you're in your 50s. Also if you mention any mental health conditions that may also lower your chances and Pegasos are likely to not accept you on mental health conditions alone.
Personally I've always wondered myself if they would accept someone in their early 30s with coeliac disease... But I've decided it'll be easier to just order some strong drugs from the dark web instead, plus it'll be way cheaper. Pegasos asks for 10,000 Swiss francs minimum, and that's not including traveling fees, accommodation fees and any additional fees such as needing to have an online consultation with a Swiss psychiatric doctor (most likely to happen if you let them know you have any mental health conditions), or if you need to pay someone from Exit International to be a stand in for a known associate that's legally required to identify your body after death if in case you can't find a family member or friend willing to do it (they most likely won't).
(New member, going by "Jay")
I thought I'd chime in on this. I can only speak from the research I've done. I have not applied for a Swiss VAD yet, but I'm considering it.
I agree that the chances of getting approval (the "green light") for a VAD if you're under 50 is difficult without a severe physical condition which causes protracted demonstrable pain and suffering. My impression is they want to give younger people a chance to seriously consider their motivations and exhaust all the options for mitigating their suffering. Once you're over 50, then getting approval based solely on mental health issues seems somewhat easier. (There have been a couple of high-profile cases in recent years to that effect.) The rules and laws in Switzerland governing this are not simple, the law is very basic but in practice there's protocol that requires a doctor to prescribe a prescription (Pentobarbitol) and so that's sort of the stumbling block for completing the VAD. They briefly tried using non-pharmaceutical techniques similar to the inert gas/bag method, but I believe it fell into disapproval with the citizenry as well as the establishment that seems to oversee this. (Perhaps the gas chambers of Nazi Germany are still too recent in memory).
Yes it's expensive, and lots of paperwork, but everything in Switzerland is expensive! And besides, the seriousness of what they're doing requires a substantial amount of paperwork, time and consideration. Included is the cost of cremation which in this country runs about $3,000. (I don't believe you have the option of getting sent home in a casket). Also keep in mind that average funeral expenses in the United States can approach $20,000, and severe debilitating sicknesses can easily run hundreds of thousand dollars a year. Staying healthy costs money and dying is not cheap either.
As to having someone to accompany you, there is a requirement that someone identify you. There are other options if you don't have anyone in agreement enough to be there with you.
However,
if you can afford it, and
if you qualify, I believe it is the best way to obtain a self-directed death with a nearly 100% assurance that it will provide the desired result. And, you won't be dying alone, and with people who sympathize with you.
