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Citizenship in France
Luis Minvielle
Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.
Oleksandra Dosii
Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.
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After five years of continuous legal residence in France, you can apply for French citizenship through naturalisation. Becoming a French citizen grants you full civic rights, including voting in elections, working in the public sector, and the right to apply for a French passport. It also allows you to live and work freely across the European Union.
Let’s take a look at the process to get French citizenship and the different eligibility criteria you should consider.
What are the benefits of French citizenship?
French citizenship offers several advantages over permanent residency. As a citizen, you can vote in all elections, run for public office, and apply for jobs open only to French nationals, such as certain civil service roles. You can also apply for a French passport, which is among the most powerful globally. Additionally, as a French citizen, you have the freedom to live and work in any EU country without the need for extra permits.
That said, becoming a French citizen is not required to stay in France long term. Some naturalisation requests are refused, even when applicants meet the basic criteria. Many people continue living in France with a renewable residence permit instead.
Does France allow dual citizenship?
Yes, France allows dual or multiple nationalities. This means you can become a French citizen without giving up your original nationality. Similarly, French nationals who choose another citizenship are not asked to renounce their French nationality. Either way, a person with dual or multiple nationalities has the same rights and obligations as any other French citizen.
What are the ways to get French citizenship?
There are different pathways to get French citizenship:
- Naturalisation: If you have legally lived in France for five consecutive years, you can apply for citizenship through naturalisation. This period can be reduced to two years if you have completed two years of higher education in France or have contributed exceptional service to the country. Refugees and individuals who have served in the French military can be exempt from the residency requirement altogether.
- By declaration: This path is available if you are married to a French citizen, have a French parent or child, or have a French sibling. For spouses, you can apply after four years of marriage, as long as you have lived together continuously and your partner is still French.
- By birth or descent: If you were born in France to foreign parents, you might be able to become French depending on how long you’ve lived in France. You may also be eligible if one of your parents or grandparents is French.
For expats, the easiest way to get French citizenship is through naturalisation. If you are not sure which path applies best to you, you can contact the naturalisation platform, which will be different depending on where you live.
Do you need to be a French permanent resident to apply for citizenship?
No. In France, you do not necessarily need a permanent residence permit before requesting citizenship. This is exactly like in the Netherlands, but quite different from Denmark, for example, where permanent residency is a mandatory stepping stone.
When can you apply for French citizenship?
You can apply for French citizenship after five years of uninterrupted legal residence in France, as long as you're still living in the country when your application is processed. For most expats, this five-year rule applies. However, there are some exceptions.
If you studied at a French university or other higher education institution, the waiting time may be reduced to just two years. This only applies if you completed at least two years of full-time study in France and earned a recognised diploma. The same shorter timeline may apply if you’ve made a significant contribution to France, for example, through academic, cultural, or scientific achievements.
Keep in mind that time spent outside France can reset the clock. If you leave the country for more than six months (or more than two years if you hold a long-term residence card), you may lose your residency continuity. You also need to be in France both when you apply and when the final decision is made, which can take anywhere from 1.5 to 5 years depending on where you live.
What documents are required?
The documents you need will be different depending on how you apply for French citizenship. Still, here’s a list of the documents you’ll be asked to provide in most cases:
- A valid passport or national identity card
- A valid residence permit
- Birth certificate (with a certified translation if not in French)
- Proof of residence in France for the required period
- Evidence of income and tax payments
- Signed commitment to respect the principles of the French Republic
- Certificate of French language proficiency (minimum B1 level)
- Criminal record certificates from France and any other countries where you have lived
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Children’s birth certificates (if applicable)
All foreign documents must be translated into French by a certified translator.
If you’re applying through naturalisation, you can also use the simulator on the official French website to check if you’ve gathered everything needed for your application.
How to apply for French citizenship?
As of February 2023, applications for French citizenship must be submitted online through the NATALI platform. This system allows you to complete the entire application process online, track the progress of your application, and receive updates or requests for additional information.
After submitting your application, you will be invited to an interview at your local prefecture. During this interview, your integration into French society will be evaluated, including your knowledge of French history, culture, and values. You will also be required to sign the Charter of Rights and Duties of the French Citizen.
If your application is approved, you will be invited to a naturalisation ceremony at your local prefecture, where you will receive your certificate of French nationality.
What are French citizenship fees?
The standard fee for a French citizenship application is €55. This fee is payable via tax stamps (timbres fiscaux) and is non-refundable, even if your application is unsuccessful. Additional costs may include fees for document translations, obtaining necessary certificates, and legal advice if you choose to hire a lawyer.
Is there a French citizenship test?
Yes. To apply for French citizenship, you must prove that you understand, speak, read, and write French at a B1 level, according to the CEFR scale. You can do this with a diploma in French or with a certificate from a TCF or TEF exam, issued less than two years ago, that confirms B1 level in both oral and written skills.
You can also prove your level with a diploma or professional qualification earned in France, as long as it matches level 3 or higher of the national training scale. If you studied in French in a French-speaking country, you may request a comparability certificate through the Enic-Naric centre. Not all diplomas or certificates are accepted, so it's a good idea to check the France Compétences database to confirm if yours qualifies.
During the interview at the prefecture, you’ll be asked questions about French history, values, and institutions. These are based on a guide called the Livret du Citoyen, which is given to everyone applying for naturalisation.
Can your family members get French citizenship?
If you are granted French citizenship, your minor children can usually become French too, but they do not get it automatically. They must be living with you in France and included in your naturalisation application. If they are not included, a separate request must be made for them after you become French.
Your spouse cannot apply at the same time as you. They must apply separately, and only through the declaration process. This is possible after four years of marriage to a French citizen, as long as you have lived together continuously and your partner has kept their French nationality. If you have lived in France together for at least three years after the marriage, the four-year wait may be reduced to three.
What if your application is rejected?
If your application for French citizenship is denied, you will receive a formal notification explaining the reasons for the refusal. In most cases, the application is either marked as inadmissible (because the legal conditions are not met) or inappropriate (when naturalisation is not possible at the moment, even if the conditions are met). In some cases, your file may be postponed, for example, to give you time to improve your professional situation.
You can challenge the decision within two months—this is a required step before taking the case to the administrative court in Nantes. If you do not receive a response within four months, the appeal is considered rejected. You can then go to court, again, within a two-month window.
If your personal situation changes, such as getting a permanent job or meeting a language requirement, you can also submit a new application.
Get in touch with an immigration expert
If you're living in France and thinking about applying for citizenship, you probably already speak French—but dealing with official forms and paperwork in a formal setting can still be tough. An immigration expert can help you understand exactly what’s needed, avoid common mistakes, and check if you're ready to apply.
And once you become a French citizen, you’ll also have the right to move freely to cities like Barcelona, Munich, or Amsterdam without needing another visa. Reach out for help if you’re not sure where to start.
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