France has legalised assisted dying after the National Assembly gave final approval to the legislation, with MPs voting 291 to 241 to back the bill, bringing years of parliamentary debate to a close.
The vote means France has approved a legal right to assisted dying for adults who meet strict eligibility criteria. The legislation will now be referred to the Constitutional Council for review before it is formally enacted.
The law will apply to French citizens and legal residents aged 18 or over who have a serious and incurable illness at an advanced or terminal stage, are experiencing suffering that cannot be adequately relieved, and are able to make a free and informed decision.
The law will not be available to people travelling from the UK. Despite France being just across the Channel, only French citizens and legal residents will be entitled to use it.
Opinion polls, like a February Ifop poll, show that 84% of respondents approve of the assisted dying bill while others show support increasing over the past two decades.
Dave Sowry, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:
“It is encouraging to see the French Parliament reflecting the wishes of the French people, as expressed through their citizens’ jury and wider public opinion.
The French public’s support for this law change mirrors the long-standing and unwavering public support for assisted dying in England and Wales.
We must hope that Parliament here reflects on the cruelty of our current law and follows the example of its French counterparts. To leave things as they are is a choice, and we deserve better.”
France’s reform follows several years of public and parliamentary debate. In 2023, a citizens’ convention made up of 184 randomly selected people backed opening access to assisted dying in certain circumstances by a clear majority.
The National Assembly had previously approved the legislation on three occasions, while the Senate repeatedly rejected it. Under the French parliamentary system, the National Assembly has the final word when the two chambers cannot reach agreement.
The vote comes as assisted dying legislation has returned to Parliament in England and Wales.
Lauren Edwards MP is bringing back the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill after securing second place in the Private Members’ Bill ballot. Its Second Reading is scheduled for Friday 11 September.
The previous Bill passed the House of Commons but fell in the House of Lords after being delayed until the end of the parliamentary session.
France has now joined Switzerland, Belgium, Spain and many other countries who have shown that assisted-dying reform can triumph when the need for change remains clear. MPs here have another opportunity to ensure terminally ill people in England and Wales are not left behind.
Notes
- France’s National Assembly approved the assisted dying legislation by 291 votes to 241 on 15 July 2026.
- The legislation will now be referred to the Constitutional Council before formal enactment.
- Access will be limited to French citizens and legal residents.
- Lauren Edwards MP is bringing back the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in England and Wales. Its Second Reading is scheduled for Friday 11 September 2026.
Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request
For further comment or information, media should contact Kerry Hogan at kerry.hogan@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07922363248. (media only)
Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.
My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.
