Successfully applying for French citizenship has a number of benefits
If you see your long-term future in France, you may wish to consider applying for either permanent residence or French citizenship – though, in both cases, you do need to have been living in the country for at least five years. In a nutshell, both options allow you to stay in France long-term, although some important differences exist between the two – not least the fact that while you have a legal right to apply for residency, the French authorities make clear that nationality is a favour and therefore not guaranteed.
The permanent residency permit, carte de resident, allows you to stay in the country for 10 years and, as it’s renewable, you could in theory carry on indefinitely. This status also entitles you to certain rights such as healthcare. However, you are not allowed to vote in elections or hold public office.
If you become a French citizen, you are entitled to live, work and vote in France on a permanent basis, as well as having access to all government-offered public benefits. In addition to that, French citizenship has the added bonus of entitling you to live and work in other European Union (EU) countries. Also, you don’t have to give up your own nationality if you become a French citizen: you can have French dual citizenship.
Starting the process
So, how do you go about obtaining French citizenship? Well, there are basically two main paths you can take…
Unless you are married to a French person, you will need to apply by ‘decret’. To be considered eligible for this, you’ll need to have lived in France for five continuous years, be able to show that you have integrated into the French culture and that you have a reasonable command of the language.
The second option is through marriage to a French person. However, you will need to have been married for at least four years – or five years if you haven’t lived together continuously. Either way, you will also need to prove that you have a good enough knowledge of French to deal with every-day situations.
To apply for permanent residency or citizenship, you’ll need to visit your local préfecture with your passport, birth certificate and proof of address, along with any other documents that may be relevant. For example, a marriage certificate, if you’re going down that route, as well as proof of employment if you work and a diploma or certificate to show that you have a reasonable command of the language.
As always, VINGT Paris can provide bespoke advice on how to prepare for the process and ensure the best chance of success. Simply drop us a line to find out more.
FAQs
Expect questions about your life and habits in France. Several readers report being asked about work and retirement, home ownership, how often they return to their home country, whether they mostly spend time with French people, and whether they belong to any associations.
What is the easiest way to get citizenship in France? ›
The main paths to becoming a French citizen are:
- Being born in France or an overseas territory.
- Having French parents.
- Adoption by a French parent.
- Marriage to a French citizen.
- Naturalization through residency.
The documents needed are very simple; however, there are specific timelines for these applications depending on the age and circ*mstances of the individual. Those who are eligible must meet the following criteria: The individual was born, has been adopted in France, or at least one parent is a citizen of France.
What is the 2 year rule for new French citizens? ›
The most common grounds for citizenship are through residency (after five years of continuous residency in France, falling to two years if you completed higher education here) or through marriage to a French person. Less common routes are through ancestry (parents only) or through having a French child or sibling.
How long is the French citizenship interview? ›
Every prefecture can differ in terms of the questions they ask you and some make the nationality interview more difficult than others. My interview was about 40 minutes in total. I was asked general questions about my life in France and also a number of questions based on the livret.
How many questions are you asked for citizenship? ›
There are 100 civics questions on the naturalization test. During your naturalization interview, you will be asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions. You must answer correctly 6 of the 10 questions to pass the civics test. You have two opportunities to take the English and civics tests per application.
How can Americans get French citizenship? ›
To obtain French citizenship, you can apply through various routes, including by descent, marriage, naturalization, birth, or adoption. You must meet specific eligibility criteria, including residency requirements and language proficiency, and provide supporting documents.
Does France allow dual citizenship with the US? ›
French law permits dual nationality and does not require foreigners who obtain French nationality to give up their original one. A naturalized immigrant can therefore legally have French nationality and the nationality of another country.
What is the easiest citizenship in Europe? ›
Countries in Europe that are easiest to get citizenship
Portugal, Spain, and Greece offer more accessible citizenship options, especially through investment or Europe Golden Visa programs. Malta and Cyprus also have investment citizenship alternatives.
How much does it cost to get a French citizenship? ›
People report that applying for French citizenship can be a little pricey. This might be a little surprising, as the official cost of the 'timbre fiscal' for French citizenship is 55 euros. However, if you have documents in English, they will need to be translated by an official translator.
If you are aged 18 or above, you may be able to apply for French citizenship by naturalization after legally residing in France for at least 5 years, and if your primary source of income is in France.
Do you need to speak French to get French citizenship? ›
To apply for French citizenship everyone must demonstrate written and oral proficiency in French at a minimum of Level B1 (intermediate). This is the common level across Europe, and is considered to be roughly equivalent to GCSE grade A or A*.
Is France dropping the 90 day rule? ›
Unfortunately, in what will be seen as a major blow by some, a French court rejected the amendment to its immigration law, ruling it to be unconstitutional.
Can I live in France if I marry a French citizen? ›
Obtain a spouse visa in France when married to a French national. Foreign nationals who are the spouse of a French citizen will apply for a visa that suits their purpose of stay: temporary (for stays that do not exceed 90 days) or permanent (for staying in the country for more than 90 days or permanently).
Can you live in France without citizenship? ›
Non-EU citizens who want to settle permanently in the French territory must apply for and obtain a d visa (long-stay visa).
What is required for French citizenship? ›
Entitlement by birth, descent, or residence as a child
All persons born within the country to at least one French national or foreign parent who themself was born in France automatically receive French nationality at birth. All persons born abroad to at least one French parent are automatically French from birth.
What are some questions to ask about the French Revolution? ›
What was Louis XVI role in the French Revolution? How did Louis XVI die? What were factors that led up to the French Revolution? Can you describe historical Napoleon's role in the French Revolution?
What questions should I study for my citizenship test? ›
Studying for the Citizenship Test
- Names of US presidents like Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.
- Major branches of the government like Congress and the President.
- US holidays like Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
- Question words like who, what and where.
- Verbs like to elect, to vote and to be.
Application Requirements for French Citizenship By Descent
- Your passport as a proof of identity.
- Proof of residence.
- Your birth certificate (to prove the parent-child relationship).
- A copy of your French parent's birth certificate.
- Proof of your parent's French nationality. ...
- Your parents' marriage certificate.
