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.