On the waiting list for a donor liver
If your liver is no longer functioning properly, a liver transplant may be necessary. You may then be placed on the waiting list.
The liver produces bile and breaks down toxic substances in your body. Your liver also helps process your food and clean your blood. If your liver is (almost) no longer functioning, a liver transplant may be the only solution. This is only possible if other treatments are no longer effective.
When are you placed on the waiting list?
You are only placed on the waiting list once you have completed all medical examinations and are physically and mentally fit enough for surgery. The transplant center adds your details to the international Eurotransplant waiting list.
How many people are waiting for a donor liver?
As of July 31, 2025, there were 34 people on the active waiting list for a liver from a deceased donor.
Below you will find the current waiting list figures. Look at the table in the top right (latest monthly figures) in the 'Transplantable' column.
How long do I have to wait?
If you are on a waiting list for a donor liver, you naturally want to know how soon it will be your turn. It is impossible to predict how long you will have to wait for a transplant.
The waiting time depends on factors such as the number of people on the waiting list, how many organs become available, the severity of the illness (reMELD score), and whether the donor liver is a match for you.
Point system: reMELD-Na score
The waiting list for a donor liver uses a point system. You receive points based on the severity of your illness. This is called the reMELD-Na score.
What is the reMELD-Na score?
The reMELD-Na score is determined based on medical characteristics. What is taken into account?
- The speed at which the blood clots.
- How well the kidneys are functioning.
- How well the liver removes bilirubin. This is a substance that causes jaundice.
The reMELD-Na score ranges from 1 to 36. A score of 36 indicates the most serious situation. The higher the score, the higher you move up the waiting list.
Recalculating the score
Your doctor at the transplant hospital recalculates the reMELD-Na score periodically. This is done according to a fixed schedule:
- Every week: for a score of 21 or higher.
- Every month: for a score between 16 and 20.
- Every 3 months: for a score between 10 and 15.
- Every year: for a score of 9 or lower.
Does your situation deteriorate suddenly? Then the score is recalculated.
Special reMELD-Na score
Sometimes the reMELD-Na score does not accurately estimate the risk of death, for example in people with liver cancer. They receive a special reMELD-Na score that better reflects their situation.
Children under 18 years of age also receive a separate score.
Who gets priority?
Who gets priority?
Some patients receive priority. They have a 'high urgent status'. They can receive an organ from the international pool of organs.
Priority applies to:
- Patients with acute liver failure: their liver suddenly stops working. An international team of doctors determines whether they receive a high urgent status.
- Patients for whom it becomes apparent within 14 days that a liver transplant has not been successful. They receive a high urgent status.
- Patients who are also waiting for another organ: i.e., a liver and a pancreas, lungs, heart, or small intestine. They receive priority because these are rare combinations.
Allocation of a donor liver
Does a donor liver become available?
Then the computer program first checks whether it is suitable for the international group of patients with a high urgent status. The medical data of the donor and patient must match, such as weight and blood type. The program also takes into account a fair distribution between countries.
Is the donor liver not suitable for this group?
Then the system looks at the Dutch waiting list. For patients with the same reMELD-Na score, the length of time they have been on the waiting list with a certain score is taken into account.
Living donor liver transplantation
It is also possible for a living donor to donate a part of their liver to a patient. The liver is a special organ. After you donate a piece of the liver, the liver grows back.
A living donor transplantation can be well planned. This increases the chance of success. However, the donor surgery is not without risks for the donor. Therefore, the donor must first be medically approved for this.
After the transplantation
A transplantation is a major surgery. You need time to recover physically and mentally.
How long does a donor liver last?
Most donor livers work well in the first years after transplantation.
- In the first year, the risk of rejection is highest. That sounds daunting, but often adjusting the medication helps when symptoms of rejection occur.
- Five years after the surgery, about 71% of donor livers from deceased donors are still working well.
- If a donor liver no longer works well, you can sometimes receive another liver transplantation.
More information
Do you have questions about your own situation? Ask your doctor; they know your medical situation best.