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France Citizenship Requirements

French naturalisation by decree normally requires five years of residence. Language evidence, civic examination and integration are separate conditions.

Sources reviewed 2 official sources
Conditions apply

Ordinary residence period

Five years generally. Defined cases have a two-year period or no minimum; the applicant's main professional and family interests must be in France at the decree.

French Republic — Service PublicStep 1 — place and minimum duration of residence
Conditions apply

French language

The current proof guide requires B2 French, oral and written. Accepted qualifications/tests, accommodations and exemptions must be checked for the applicant's situation.

French Republic — Service PublicNationalité française par décret — level and accepted evidence
Conditions apply

Civics and integration

Civic examination, assimilation, professional integration and conduct are assessed separately from the language certificate.

French Republic — Service PublicStep 1 — assimilation, professional integration and conduct
Conditions apply

Application and decision

Follow the official step-by-step service for evidence, submission, interview and the decree. Meeting a residence period does not guarantee naturalisation.

French Republic — Service PublicSteps 3–8 — dossier, submission, interview and decision

Scope and limitations

  • Different routes and exemptions have separate evidence requirements. A French passport is a later document, not the naturalisation application itself.

Next review due . An official update can change these requirements sooner.

Check multiple-citizenship policy and its review date

Official sources

  1. Naturalisation française par décretFrench Republic — Service Public · Retrieved 2026-09-17 · FR
  2. Proof of French-language level for nationalityFrench Republic — Service Public · Retrieved 2026-09-17 · FR