Abstract: With the establishment of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) the treatment of people with disabilities is changing from a protective perspective to a rights-based approach. The Enduring Power of Attorney (EPoA) is an important instrument, which helps with the implementation of the CRPD into national law. As an instrument of self-determined substituted decision-making it is recognised as the best practice model to safeguard the autonomy of people suffering the deprivations of age and other disabilities. This article touches briefly on general supported and substituted decision-making instruments and then goes on to examine the differences and similarities, advantages and disadvantages between Austrian and German laws concerning EPoAs.
