Euthanasia: Application begins with a doctor, but the decision is collegial

Paris – 18 July 2026: The French Parliament finally adopted the law on the right to euthanasia on 15 July 2026. At the heart of the latest debate is the question of whether a patient encounters only a single doctor before their application is approved. The criticism voiced by Republican politician Francois-Xavier Bellamy addresses an actual procedural step, but largely overlooks the subsequent review.

Under the law, the application is submitted to a doctor. That doctor informs the person concerned about their state of health, palliative and supportive care, as well as the conditions and consequences of the procedure. The doctor first assesses whether the statutory eligibility criteria may be met. These include being of legal age, having stable and lawful residence in France, suffering from a serious and incurable illness at an advanced or terminal stage, and being able to form a free and informed decision.

However, the decision is not intended to rest on an isolated medical judgment. The doctor handling the application must organize a collegial, multidisciplinary consultation. At least three healthcare professionals take part, one of whom must know the ill person and their treatment. Depending on the medical situation, additional professionals, such as specialists, psychologists, or staff from medical-social institutions, may be consulted.

The consultation group assesses in particular the person’s medical condition, their suffering, and their ability to express their wishes freely and with full information. Treating professionals and, at the patient’s request, trusted persons may also be involved in the assessment. The legal framework therefore distinguishes between the doctor as the formal decision-maker and the mandatory collegial basis on which that doctor must rely.

This distinction is central to the political controversy. Bellamy’s point is correct insofar as the final decision is not made through a vote by a medical panel. The law assigns legal responsibility to the doctor reviewing the application. However, it would be inaccurate to suggest that the decision is made without the mandatory involvement of other professionals or after only a single consultation.

Following the final vote in the National Assembly, the text received 291 votes in favor, 241 against, and 29 abstentions. Under narrowly defined conditions, it permits the self-administration of a lethal substance or, where physical incapacity makes this impossible, its administration by a doctor or nurse. At the same time, it includes a specific conscience clause for medical staff and subsequent oversight of the acts carried out.

The law is not yet applicable. Before the final vote, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that he would refer the matter to the Constitutional Council. Among the issues to be reviewed are the length of the withdrawal period, the rules for adults under legal protection, and the relationship between the conscience clause and institutions that care for people at the end of life. Until this review and the subsequent promulgation, the new rules will have no legal effect.