French President Emmanuel Macron has formally enacted legislation permitting assisted dying for eligible patients, making France part of a select group of nations allowing the practice.

France has officially promulgated a law establishing the right to assisted dying for certain patients, following approval from the Constitutional Council and years of debate within parliament and the public sphere. The legislation was published in the Official Journal after the Constitutional Council cleared it last week, though the court noted several reservations regarding its implementation.

Under the new framework, eligible patients may self-administer a lethal substance in the presence of a healthcare professional, or a medical professional may administer it if the patient is physically unable to do so. To qualify, individuals must be adults holding French citizenship or long-term resident status, suffering from a serious and incurable illness in an advanced or terminal stage, experiencing unbearable physical suffering, and must retain the mental capacity to make and express informed decisions throughout the process.

The legislation, definitively adopted by parliament in mid-July, was authored by former Democratic Movement lawmaker Olivier Falorni, who characterized it as a significant milestone. President Macron similarly praised the Constitutional Council's decision as completing an exemplary democratic process. However, implementation remains pending, as healthcare professionals cannot apply the law until the government issues necessary regulatory decrees.

France now joins a relatively small group of nations permitting assisted dying, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, and Uruguay. The law has faced considerable opposition from religious organizations, some healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups concerned about potential risks to vulnerable populations. Five separate challenges were submitted to the Constitutional Council, including a referral from Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.