List: Key points of France’s end-of-life law

MPs vote to give certain patients the legal right to end their lives in cases of severe and incurable illness

The proposed law establishes a tightly regulated end-of-life process for patients who meet specific medical and legal criteria
Richard Henshell Richard Henshell
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France has taken a historic step towards its first law on assisted dying after MPs approved a bill on May 27 allowing certain patients to end their lives in cases of severe and incurable illness. 

The proposed law, known as the loi sur l’aide à mourir, establishes a tightly regulated end-of-life process for patients who meet specific medical and legal criteria, while also reinforcing the country’s commitment to palliative care.

It was voted through parliament with 305 MPs in favour, 199 against and 57 abstentions, following two weeks of intense parliamentary debate and years of public consultation.

President Emmanuel Macron called the vote “an important stage” in a deeply polarising national debate.

The bill must be approved by the Senate before becoming law.

The bill avoids using the terms “euthanasia” or “assisted suicide”, instead referring to “aid in dying” (aide à mourir) and requiring patients to self-administer the final medication. 

What France’s right to die law contains

practical health

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