With an estimated population of 64.5 million people, France is the 19th most populous country in the world. Metropolitan France covers 547,030 square kilometres (211,209 sq mi), making it the largest country in area in the European Union and slightly larger than Spain. 

A complete description of the French Health Care System available online at:

Advance Directives have been binding in France since the the law 2005-307 came into force. Until that time it was only possible to name a healthcare proxy who could take decisions in the name of the patient when they were not a position to express their will.

Advance Directives in french can be named as:

• Déclaration de volontés relatives au traitement
• Déclaration anticipée
• Directives de fin de vie
• Directives anticipées (de volontés)
• Testament de vie

They can be modified or revoked, either partially or in their entirety, at any time.

There is no specific AD form. Associations like ADMD can provide a model form.

Citizens may name a healthcare proxy in writing (personne de confiance)

The patient may ask healthcare professionals to include their AD in their clinical history with a statement affirming that they are in a state to freely express their will and have provided all of the appropriate information.

The document should be held in a place where the professional in charge of making decisions, whether their doctor or not, can access it or in their hospital clinical history. The patient, their representative or next of kin may also keep the AD.

Advance Directives have been binding in France since the law 2005-307 came into force. Until that time it was only possible to name a healthcare proxy (personne de confiance) who could take decisions in the name of the patient when they were not a position to express their will.

The Decree  No. 2006-119 du 6 février 2006 relatif aux directives anticipées ["The Decree No 2006-119, 6 February, 2006 relating to advance directives"] predicted by the loi no 2005-370 du 22 avril 2005 relative aux droits des malades et à la fin de vie [No. 2005-370, 22 april, 2005 relating the patients´ rights and the end of life, and modifies the code of public health"],  et modifiant le code de la santé publique (dispositions réglementaires), states the conditions under which a pacient may dr-aft an AD.

There is no official procedure for registering an AD in France.

The declaration should be in writing, dated and signed, and must contain the name, last name and place of birth of the patient.

They are valid for three years and can be renewed by means of signed confirmation

It is recommended to hold the document in a place where the professional in charge of making decisions, whether their doctor or not, can access it or in their hospital clinical history. The patient, their representative or next of kin may also keep the AD.

Although some associations have sought to create a national ADs register, in France at the current time there is no such register, meaning that it is impossible to know how many ADs have been written by French citizens.

The association ADMD has drafted a bill that aims to include the right to medical assistance to die in the public health code. Said bill proposes to create an automated national AD register.

• ADMD: Projetde proposition de loi relative à l'aide active à Mourir

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There is no specific form to register an Advance Directive in France.

The association ADMD can provide a model form.

• Association pour le droit de mourir dans la dignité [Association for the right to die with dignity] ( A.D.M.D. ) www.admd.net. This association militante a favor de la Eutanasia, presenta información sobre todo lo relacionado con el final de la vida.

• Le Portail de L´administration Française [ ] www.service-publique.fr . This site has practical guides classified by theme, a civil service directory and public web sites directory and you can use the links to access the texts of laws, public reports and job offers in the civil service. Information about ADs can be found in this link www.service-public.fr/actualites/0041.html