Several European Countries Allow Active Euthanasia; France Joins Debate

France's National Assembly has taken a significant step by voting in favor of a bill that would permit active euthanasia for adults suffering from severe, incurable, and advanced illnesses. This decision places France among a growing number of European nations grappling with and legislating on the complex issue of end-of-life choices.

The debate surrounding euthanasia has been ongoing in various European countries, including Denmark, where the current SVM government established a working group in September 2025 to examine different models for active euthanasia. This group still has approximately one year remaining in its mandate.

Across Europe, seven countries have already legalized active euthanasia or assisted suicide to different extents. The Netherlands pioneered this in 2002, establishing strict regulations that require confirmation of incurable illness from both a doctor and an independent expert. In 2023, the Netherlands extended the right to active euthanasia to individuals as young as 12.

Belgium followed suit in 2002 and became the first country globally in 2014 to allow terminally ill children of all ages to request assistance in dying. Luxembourg decriminalized active euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2009. Switzerland permits assisted suicide, though active euthanasia is illegal; the law prohibits assisting suicide only if motivated by selfish reasons, with ethical guidelines in place and patient assistance provided by various associations, attracting many Europeans seeking the procedure.

Austria legalized euthanasia for individuals with serious or incurable diseases in 2021. Spain also passed legislation that year allowing active and physician-assisted euthanasia, contingent on the applicant being of sound mind and the request being written, confirmed, and approved by an assessment committee. In Italy, active euthanasia remains illegal, but the Constitutional Court outlined conditions for assisted suicide in 2019, though parliamentary legislation is still pending, leading some regions like Tuscany to simplify procedures, drawing criticism from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Despite these developments, the legality and practice of assisted dying remain contentious issues in many other European countries, sparking ongoing debate.