France Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Adults

France enacted a law on 19 August 2026 letting incurably ill adults in unbearable pain obtain a lethal substance to end their lives — self-administered unless physically impossible. France previously permitted only passive euthanasia (withholding treatment). Eligible patients must be adult nationals or long-term residents, approved by a doctor and panel after a two-day wait. The Constitutional Council upheld the law, including a conscience clause letting pharmacists and faith-based facilities opt out.