End of Life: French National Assembly Set to Vote on Assisted Dying and Palliative Care

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the French National Assembly will vote on two major legislative proposals concerning end-of-life care: one aims to establish a right to assisted dying, the other to strengthen access to palliative care. These bills, respectively introduced by MPs Olivier Falorni (MoDem) and Annie Vidal (Renaissance), represent a significant milestone in the national debate on end-of-life issues in France.

A Right to Assisted Dying Under Strict Conditions

The proposed legislation on assisted dying would allow adults residing in France to access a lethal substance under carefully defined conditions. To be eligible, patients must suffer from a serious, incurable illness in an advanced or terminal stage, causing constant physical or psychological suffering that is resistant to treatment or deemed unbearable. Furthermore, individuals must be capable of expressing their will freely and with full understanding.

Each request will be evaluated by a panel of healthcare professionals, including at least two doctors and one nurse. If approved, a mandatory two-day reflection period will precede the administration of the lethal substance, which is typically self-injected. In cases where the patient is physically unable, a healthcare professional may administer it, provided they consent—thanks to a conscience clause built into the law.

Divergent Political Stances

Parliamentary debates have revealed clear political divisions on the assisted dying proposal. The left, particularly La France insoumise, broadly supports the bill, while the right and the Rassemblement National are largely opposed. Some MPs from the Horizons group have expressed mixed feelings, choosing abstention or conditional support following internal discussions. The Renaissance group, for its part, appears mostly in favor of the proposed legislation.

Bolstering Palliative Care

Alongside the assisted dying bill, a second proposal seeks to ensure equitable access to end-of-life care. It introduces a legally enforceable right to palliative care, compelling regional health agencies to make such services available throughout the country. Should they fail, patients would be able to appeal to an administrative court.

The legislation also calls for the creation of “accompaniment and palliative care homes” for patients who no longer require intensive hospital care but cannot return home. These facilities aim to provide a supportive environment for individuals nearing the end of life, as well as for their families.

A Major Legislative Milestone

If adopted, both bills will proceed to the Senate for further debate. President Emmanuel Macron has indicated that, should the legislative process stall, he may consider putting the issue of end-of-life care to a national referendum.

If passed, these laws would mark a major step forward in France’s end-of-life legislation—expanding patient rights while implementing strict safeguards.