Former postman Leslie Burke, 46, who suffers from the degenerative disease Friedrich's ataxia, said he was extremely disappointed with the ruling.
The European Court of Human Rights said it did not believe there was a real threat that his food would be stopped.
Final
The court also said it did not accept that there was a 'real and imminent threat' that artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) would be withdrawn in the final stages of his illness.
Mr Burke said that 'even when death is imminent' the withdrawal of ANH sustenance would be letting him die of starvation and thirst when he is no longer able to communicate his wishes.
It brings to a close Mr Burke's long and bitterly-fought struggle to be allowed to die 'naturally'.
He will be making a 'living will' but as it stands a living will is not legally binding and can be
disregarded if the wishes contained in it conflict with the case doctor's professional opinion.
His lawyer Muiris Lyons of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, said his client had now done all he could legally.