Five questions about France’s new ‘aid in dying’ law
What is permitted by the law and who will be able to request it
Published
France has formally introduced a new legal right to ‘aid in dying’ for certain people with serious and incurable illnesses.
The law was signed by President Emmanuel Macron on August 18, 2026 and published in the Journal Officiel on August 19.
1. What exactly does the new law allow?
A person who meets the conditions can be authorised to receive a lethal substance to end their life, which they normally take themselves. If they are physically unable to do so, it can be administered by a doctor or nurse.
However, the law does not allow anyone who simply wants to die to request the procedure. There are strict medical and legal conditions that must be met.
2. Who can request aid in dying?
The person must meet all of the following conditions:
They must be 18 or over
They must be French or a resident or live in France on a stable and regular basis
They must have a serious and incurable illness which is life-threatening and at an advanced or terminal stage
They must be experiencing suffering that is either resistant to treatment or unbearable
They must be able to make a free and informed decision
The law also says that psychological suffering on its own is not enough to qualify.
3. Can foreign residents use the law?
Yes. French nationality is not required.
The law says that a person must either be French or “résider de façon stable et régulière en France.”
This means foreign residents who meet this requirement can apply. They would still have to meet all the other conditions, including the medical requirements.
4. How does the process work?
The person first has to ask a doctor for aid in dying.
Then, the doctor will explain the person's condition, possible treatments and palliative care options, as well as how the procedure works.
The request is then assessed through a multi-professional medical review and the doctor makes the final decision on whether the legal conditions have been met.
The doctor must give the person a decision within 15 days of their formal request.
If the request is approved, the person must wait at least two days before confirming that they still want to proceed.
The lethal substance is then prescribed and arrangements are made for when and where it will be administered.
5. What if the person changes their mind?
The law says that the person can withdraw their request at any time.
There is also a final check on the day the substance is due to be administered. The doctor or nurse must confirm that the person still wants to go ahead and that nobody is putting pressure on them.
If the person decides to postpone the procedure, they can also arrange a new date.
The law therefore includes several opportunities for a person to stop or reconsider the process before it takes place.
It is also important to know that healthcare professionals can refuse to take part on grounds of conscience but must let the person or professional who contacted them know and give the name of another healthcare professional willing to participate.
