France Passes Law Letting Terminally Ill Adults Choose to End Their Lives

On 19 August 2026, France passed a law allowing adults with incurable illnesses and unbearable pain to receive a lethal substance to end their lives — taking it themselves unless they physically cannot. Before this, France only allowed doctors to stop treatment and let patients die naturally. Patients need approval from a doctor and a medical panel, plus a two-day waiting period. A conscience clause lets pharmacists and religious hospitals refuse to participate.