France enacts assisted dying law after constitutional approval

France has formally enacted a law allowing assisted dying after the legislation was approved by the country's highest constitutional authority and published in the official journal, making it one of a small number of countries to legalise the practice.

The law places France alongside countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada. Previously, French law permitted passive euthanasia, such as withholding artificial life support, as well as deep sedation for patients nearing death.

Eligibility and procedure

Under the new law, patients must be adults who are French nationals or long-term residents and have an incurable condition causing unbearable pain.

A doctor must first assess whether a patient meets the eligibility requirements. A panel then reviews the request and determines whether the criteria have been satisfied.

Patients whose requests are approved must wait at least two days before assisted dying can take place. They must confirm their decision on the day of the procedure and can withdraw their consent at any time.

The lethal substance is to be administered by the patient themselves. If they are physically unable to do so, a healthcare worker may assist.

Political support and opposition

President Emmanuel Macron, who promised a right-to-die law during his 2022 re-election campaign, welcomed the legislation as the conclusion of an "exemplary democratic debate".

The law remains controversial in France, which has a longstanding Catholic tradition.

Some healthcare workers and groups, including the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, opposed the legislation. Campaigners warned that it posed "an absolute danger to the most vulnerable".

Critics also challenged the law in court, arguing that the two-day reflection period was too short and that entire healthcare institutions should be allowed to refuse participation.

Constitutional safeguards

France's Constitutional Council upheld the law in its entirety but clarified several provisions.

The council confirmed that healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and pharmacists, may refuse to participate in assisted dying on grounds of conscience.

Private healthcare facilities, including typically faith-based institutions, may also refuse to provide assisted dying when doing so conflicts with their mission, provided they are not the only establishment available to meet healthcare needs in their area.

Doctors must also take a patient's legal guardians into account when assessing requests for assisted dying.