French National Assembly Approves Assisted Dying Bill for Terminally Ill Adults

French National Assembly members voted Wednesday to approve a bill granting adults with serious and incurable illnesses the right to assisted suicide or euthanasia under tightly regulated conditions. The measure applies only to patients experiencing constant suffering from life-threatening conditions in an advanced or terminal stage.

Psychological suffering alone does not qualify, and individuals with severe psychiatric disorders or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s remain ineligible.

Patients must be at least 18 years old and either French citizens or legal residents. A doctor must consult a team of health care professionals and confirm that the patient is acting of their own free will. Requests undergo review by health professionals within 15 days, followed by a mandatory reflection period of at least two days.

Approved patients may take the medication at a time and place of their choice, including at home or in a health care facility. France’s national health insurance will cover all associated costs once the law enters into force.

The Senate previously rejected the bill, but the National Assembly holds final authority when the chambers disagree. Senate President Gérard Larcher and Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated they will refer the measure to the Constitutional Council after adoption. The Constitutional Council has up to one month to complete its review. The law would take effect only after that review concludes.

Many French patients have previously traveled to neighboring countries where medically assisted suicide or euthanasia is legal. Assisted dying is currently available to an estimated 300 million people worldwide. A 2023 report found that most French people favor legalizing end-of-life options, with support increasing over two decades.

Alliance Vita, in an open letter, urged immediate improvements to palliative care access and argued that presenting death as a desirable solution contradicts human dignity. A bill to legalize assisted dying in England and Wales is scheduled to return to Parliament on September 11.