Legalisation of euthanasia in France

On 15 July, the French National Assembly gave final approval to the law legalising euthanasia and assisted suicide, establishing for the first time a legal framework for access to assisted dying in France.

Under the new law, assisted dying may be requested by adults aged 18 years or older who have a serious and incurable illness, regardless of its cause, that is life-threatening and has reached an advanced or terminal stage. Applicants must also experience constant physical or psychological suffering related to their condition that is refractory to treatment or considered unbearable by the person concerned, and they must be able to express their wishes freely and in an informed manner at the time of the procedure. The law does not establish a specific life-expectancy threshold but instead requires that these clinical conditions be met.

The request must be submitted in writing to a physician and is subject to a multidisciplinary assessment. The law establishes a maximum period of 15 days for a decision to be made and, if authorised, the person must confirm their request after a minimum reflection period of two days. The law also does not permit access to assisted dying solely on the basis of advance directives when the person is no longer able to express their wishes. In addition, before making the request, patients must receive information about the available alternatives, particularly palliative care, in order to make an informed decision.

Official text of the law (French National Assembly): Proposition de loi relative au droit à l’aide à mourir (Texte adopté n.º 323)