France’s National Assembly has approved a law legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide, making it one of the few European countries to allow the practice.

The measure passed on July 15, 2026, by a vote of 291-241, following years of debate and repeated disagreements between the National Assembly and the Senate.

The new law permits both euthanasia, in which a medical professional administers a lethal substance, and assisted suicide, in which a patient self-administers the substance. The law applies to adults who meet specific requirements, including having a serious and incurable condition, being in an advanced or terminal phase of illness, and experiencing suffering that cannot be adequately relieved.

Advocates for vulnerable populations and Catholic leaders in France, have raised concerns about the impact of assisted dying laws on the elderly, people with disabilities, and those facing difficult circumstances.

Critics have also warned that expanding access to euthanasia and assisted suicide could shift society’s approach to suffering and end-of-life care, arguing that greater investment in palliative care and support services should remain the focus. Supporters argue the measure provides greater autonomy for individuals facing serious illness.

The law will now undergo review by France’s Constitutional Council before it can take effect.

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