France’s National Assembly voted to create a right to assisted dying under strict conditions, after years of debate and changes to proposals.

parliamentarians voted by 291 to 241 to support the bill, which had been rejected three times by the upper house of parliament, the Senate.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will refer parts of the bill to France’s Constitutional Council for examination before it can become law.

It would allow assisted dying for French adults who suffer from a “serious and incurable” life-threatening illness “in an advanced or terminal phase.” The disease would have to leave them in constant physical or psychological suffering that is unbearable or resistant to treatment.

The patient would have to “freely express his intention” to a doctor, who would make a decision after consulting him within a period of 15 days.

After two days of reflection, the patient would have to administer a lethal substance to himself. If they couldn’t do it, a doctor or nurse could do it.

The patient’s decision to go ahead with the procedure would have to be verified by the doctor that same day.

Wednesday’s vote means France could join other European countries that have decriminalized assisted dying in some form.

There has been a similarly lengthy debate in the UK. A bill to legalize assisted dying in England and Wales stalled earlier this year and will return to Parliament in September.

The Netherlands and Belgium legalized assisted dying in 2002 for people in unbearable suffering due to incurable illnesses, allowing it to be administered by a doctor.

Since then, several other European countries have passed laws, and Switzerland has long allowed assisted suicide if the person providing assistance acts selflessly.