Resigned by the slowness of the political process or convinced that they are ineligible for the future law currently being debated in Parliament, some French people continue to go to Belgium to receive assistance in dying, even though they would prefer it to be in France.
Marc (who preferred not to give his last name) met with a Belgian doctor last October. "We immediately clicked," says the 78-year-old retired math teacher. Their conclusion: as long as his stage three lung cancer doesn't spread, he has no reason to benefit from Belgian medical assistance in dying.
When her cancer was discovered four and a half years ago, doctors gave her only two years to live.
But at some point, the appearance of metastases will be "inevitable".
Marc will then be eligible for French assisted dying, as it is currently being debated.
The formal vote on the entire text is scheduled for Tuesday in the Assembly.
In its current version, it provides for five cumulative conditions for the patient, who must be: of age (1), French or resident in France (2), suffering from a "serious and incurable condition" which "endangers life" in an advanced or terminal phase (3), "able to express his will freely and with full knowledge" (4) and "presenting physical or psychological suffering" which is "either refractory to treatment, or unbearable" (5).
– “Laziness, immorality, and hypocrisy” –
Even if the law were passed, "we must not forget that the implementing decrees will still be needed," reminds Marc, who is constantly on the move with a mobile oxygen concentrator.
“If they were taken quickly, I would choose medical assistance in France, at my home, in my bed, with a view of our lovely little flower garden through the window. That would be perfect,” testifies this resident of the Paris region.
But Marc has little hope, frustrated by the political debates on end-of-life care that took place last year: "In May 2025, when the National Assembly voted, I was happy. But I didn't expect such a disaster in the Senate. It's scandalous!"
"French laziness, immorality, and hypocrisy are going to cost me a few weeks of my life," he asserts. Because to be able to travel to Belgium, Marc will certainly have to sacrifice a few days, rather than waiting until he is completely immobilized and stuck in France.
According to the Belgian Federal Commission for the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia (CFCE), 106 French patients received assistance in dying in Belgium in 2024, compared to 101 in 2023 and 53 in 2022.
These successful requests are only "the tip of the iceberg," explained Jacqueline Herremans, president of the Belgian Association for the Right to Die with Dignity, a group that receives "four to five requests by email every day" from France, to AFP in March 2025.
– Feeling of abandonment –
Other requests know that they will remain a dead letter in France, because they do not respect the five criteria defined by the Assembly.
Philippe (who prefers not to give his last name), for example, was diagnosed with an atypical and aggressive brain tumor in 2015. After a recurrence in 2017 and a "terrible" bout of Covid in 2022, "he can no longer walk, has speech, swallowing, and cognitive difficulties," his wife Martine explains. But he is not experiencing "unbearable" physical pain, and his life is not in danger.
"I don't understand why politicians are so hesitant, it's too timid a law!", Martine fumes.
Each month, the couple, who live in Brittany, spend "between 3,000 and 4,000 euros" on the benefits Philippe receives. "We can afford to pay. But there are plenty of other people who can't. Don't you feel like they're being abandoned?" the retiree continued.
Philippe, who will turn 70 on Tuesday, recently made an appointment for his euthanasia in Belgium. It will take place on March 20th.
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