France’s National Assembly Approves Assisted‑Dying Law With Stringent Safeguards

Sun Sep 06 2026 06:26:35 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

French MPs vote to legalise assisted dying, setting strict conditions for terminal patients amid heated political debate.

After three defeats in the Senate, France’s National Assembly passed a law allowing assisted dying for adults with serious, incurable illnesses that cause unbearable suffering. The bill introduces strict safeguards, including a 15‑day doctor‑consultation period, a two‑day reflection window, and the requirement that patients administer the lethal drug themselves, with medical staff as an alternative. The measure is scheduled for review by the Constitutional Council before becoming enforceable and positions France among a growing number of European countries recognising assisted dying under tight legal frameworks.

France’s National Assembly Approves Assisted‑Dying Law With Stringent Safeguards

After three defeats in the Senate, the lower house of France’s Parliament has passed a law that permits assisted dying for adults suffering from severe, incurable illnesses. The vote, tallying 291 in favour and 241 against, follows years of debate and the rejection of earlier drafts.

Under the new provisions, a patient must first express a free and informed wish to a physician. The doctor will then decide within 15 days whether the request stands, after consulting medical specialists and reviewing the patient’s condition. Once the decision is made, the patient has a two‑day reflection period before the procedure must be carried out.

The bill requires that the patient administer the lethal drug themselves; if they cannot, a nurse or doctor may do so instead. On the day of the act, the physician must verify the patient’s intent and presence of no mental impairment.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will submit portions of the legislation to France’s Constitutional Council for review. The Council’s nine members will assess whether the law aligns with the constitution before it can become fully enforceable.

The law places France among a handful of European states that have regulated assisted dying: Switzerland allows it under a long‑established framework, while the Netherlands and Belgium legalized it in 2002. The UK’s own bill has stalled, but is expected to return to Parliament this fall.

Political opposition remains, notably from the Catholic Church and segments of the medical community. Despite this, public opinion polls indicate that a majority of French citizens support giving terminal patients a choice between palliative care and assisted dying. President Emmanuel Macron, who has long backed end‑of‑life legislation, is expected to endorse the measure once the Constitutional Council gives its nod.