# France Citizenship Requirements

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

Scope: Adult naturalisation by decree for an applicant living in France; not nationality by marriage, descent or a decision on an exemption.

Jurisdiction: French nationality. Sources reviewed 2026-09-17; review due 2026-12-16.

General information, not legal advice or a finding of eligibility. Requirements depend on the route, applicant and filing date. Verify the official instructions before applying.

## 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.

Evidence: conditional. [French Republic — Service Public: Naturalisation française par décret](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2213). Source location: Step 1 — place and minimum duration of residence.

## 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.

Evidence: conditional. [French Republic — Service Public: Proof of French-language level for nationality](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F11926). Source location: Nationalité française par décret — level and accepted evidence.

## Civics and integration

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

Evidence: conditional. [French Republic — Service Public: Naturalisation française par décret](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2213). Source location: Step 1 — assimilation, professional integration and conduct.

## 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.

Evidence: conditional. [French Republic — Service Public: Naturalisation française par décret](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2213). Source location: Steps 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.

## Explore this passport

- [Passport rank and travel access](https://multipassrank.com/passport/france)
- [Tax residence & income](https://multipassrank.com/passport/france/taxes)
- [Country-profile JSON, including sources and scoped requirements](https://multipassrank.com/api/v1/country-profiles/FR)
- [Multiple-citizenship policy guide](https://multipassrank.com/dual-citizenship-countries)

[Canonical page](https://multipassrank.com/passport/france/citizenship)