How to Get French Citizenship: The Complete Guide

French Citizenship Benefits

The French law recognises dual citizenship. As a result, if your home country also acknowledges this, you can receive the benefits of being a national of two countries.

It will provide you with better integration into French society. You will have full access to services in the same way that a French national has. This includes being able to apply for a French passport once accepted.

Here are the main benefits of gaining French citizenship:

EU Citizenship

As France is still a member of the EU, becoming a French citizen will grant you access to the benefits of this. This includes EU healthcare. You can access public healthcare in France and all other EU countries in the same way a French national can. You will be given a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

EU citizenship also provides people with freedom of movement and visa-free travel within the EU and Schengen Area. In addition to this, it allows you to have visa-free travel to 145 countries, including EU countries and the USA. Now the UK has left the European Union, and the withdrawal agreement has occurred, this is useful for those still wanting to travel freely.

You can also apply for roles in any country within the European Union with French citizenship. This makes finding a new job far easier as there is no need to apply for a specific work permit. This opens up many more job opportunities. If you choose to live outside of France as a French citizen, you won't have to pay French taxes.

Social Services and Benefits

French citizenship provides you access to the French social care and welfare system. This can make a significant improvement to your quality of life in France. The social system in France is well-developed and provides good support.

You will gain access to the following services:

• Retirement and pension plans -You will have a private pension when employed. Becoming a French citizen will give you access to a French state pension too.
• Benefits for unemployment - If you are unemployed, the French government will provide you with financial support. They will also aid you in finding a new role. This includes training, courses, and helping you to secure employment.
• Family and childcare benefits - Similar to the UK, French citizens have access to childcare services and family support. This includes The PAJE (Prestation d'accueil du jeune enfant) support program.
• Education - The French education system is highly regarded. People living in France without citizenship can access the free education system. Being a French citizen provides additional benefits. Higher education tuition fees are lower for citizens.

Right to Vote

Even if you have resided in France for years with a permanent residence permit, you aren’t permitted the right to vote in French elections. This includes parliamentary, presidential and European elections. When you become a French citizen, you will be given this right. This is a huge benefit as it allows you to have the option to vote on how you would like the country to run.

Run for Public Office

Becoming a French citizen will allow you to run for office. This includes local and European elections. This isn’t something most people will want to do, but having French citizenship is necessary if this is something you are interested in.

Types of French Citizenship

There are several ways in which you can obtain a French citizenship. However, you will need to meet certain eligibility criteria for the most suitable option for you. Here are the different ways in which you can obtain French citizenship:

French Citizenship by Naturalisation

French citizenship through naturalisation is one of the most common ways to become a French national. This citizenship is aimed at non-French nationals who do not have a French spouse or family members. Instead, it is linked to the length of time you have lived in France. It will also rely on you having a French residence permit.

You will need to meet the following criteria:

• Resided in France for more than 5 years
• Hold a valid permanent residency permit
• Be 18 years or over
• Have a clear criminal record
• Sufficient knowledge of French culture
• Have good knowledge of the French language
• Have a stable income and pay taxes

If you are eligible, you will need to provide the necessary documents during your application process:

• ID (Passport or ID card)
• Proof of permanent residency in France (e.g. utility bills)
• French integration proof (e.g. employment status)
• French language proficiency certificate
• Clear criminal records (from residing in France and your home country)

French Citizenship by Descent

To gain citizenship by descent, one of your parents or grandparents needs to be a French citizen. This will then grant you as a French national if you meet the relevant criteria. You need to ensure you have submitted the correct documentation to be accepted.

Here are the criteria you will need to meet:

• One parent/grandparent needs to have been a French citizen at the time of your birth
• You must be recognised by your French parent/grandparents or born in wedlock
• The parent/grandparent must have maintained their French connections (e.g. passport renewals)

The following documentation is needed to support your application process:

• Your birth certificate
• French parent/grandparent’s birth certificate
• Proof of French parent/grandparent’s citizenship
• Your proof of permanent residency
• Proof of parents French nationality (e.g. passport, ID card, French nationality certificate)
• Parent’s marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of parental recognition (if there is no marriage present)
• Adoption papers (if applicable)

French Citizenship by Marriage

French citizenship by marriage is another popular option to consider. This process is straightforward. Even if you have a French spouse you will not be automatically granted French citizenship. There are still specific requirements you will need to meet to be eligible, which include:

• You must be married for over 4 years
• You need to have resided in France for 3 years after your marriage (at least 1 year of continuous residency during this time is needed)

The following documentation is needed to support your application:

• Valid passport or ID
• Marriage certificate
• Proof of spouse's French citizenship
• 1 passport photo
• Proof of shared residence (e.g. utility bills)
• Proof of French language proficiency (French language test)
• Clear criminal record (from home country and France)
• Evidence that any previous marriage has been dissolved (if needed)

French Citizenship by Birth or Adoption

If your birth or adopted parents have French citizenship, by default you are eligible to obtain French nationality. You must have at least one French parent to be acknowledged as a French citizen from birth.

If your parents don’t have French citizenship but you were born in France, you can opt for French citizenship. You will need to meet the following eligibility criteria if you are over the age of 19:

• Have lived in France for at least 5 years (from the age of 11)
• You were born in France

It’s useful to note that the criteria will vary slightly for children between the ages of 13-17.

The supporting documents needed for this application include:

• Photo ID (passport or residence card or permit)
• Birth certificate
• Identity documentation
• Declaration of your French nationality (two copies)
• Proof of French residency
• Medical certificate (if required)

You must provide approved and certified French translations of these documents if they are in a foreign language.

Step-by-Step Process for Applying for French Citizenship

If you’re looking to apply for French citizenship, the application process is a fairly straightforward one. The supporting documentation you will need will vary depending on the route of French citizenship you’re taking. Even so, the overall application process is very similar.

Documentation Needed:

As explained, the type of documentation you will need will vary depending on the route you choose. The documentation you will need can include, but is not limited to:

• French citizenship application forms
• Photo ID (passport or residence card or permit)
• Birth certificate
• Declaration of your French nationality (two copies)
• Proof of French residency
• Medical certificate (if required)
• Valid passport or ID
• Marriage certificate
• Proof of spouse's French citizenship
• 1 passport photo
• Proof of shared residence (e.g. utility bills)
• Clear criminal record (from home country and France)
• Evidence that any previous marriage has been dissolved (if needed)
• French parent/grandparent’s birth certificate
• Proof of French parent/grandparent’s citizenship
• Proof of parents French nationality (e.g. passport, ID card, French nationality certificate)
• Parent’s marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of parental recognition (if there is no marriage present)
• Adoption papers (if applicable)
• French integration proof (e.g. employment status)
• French language proficiency certificate

How to Apply for French Citizenship

To begin the application process, you will need to access the République Française website. From here, you can submit your French citizenship request online. The application is straightforward and easy to understand.

You can access the document details and portal through using one of the following identifiers:

• Visa number
• Residence permit number
• FranceConnect identifiers (provides you with access to your taxes and other administrative details)
• Identifiers used when applying for your residence permit

It’s important to note that the online application process is only available to the country of France. If you are looking to apply for citizenship for other French territories, you will need to speak to a French consulate. This includes Guiana, and French Polynesia,

If you cannot apply online, contact the National Securities Agency (ANTS) by contact form or telephone.

• Contact form
• Telephone - 0806 001 620

Interview Process

The application process includes an assimilation interview regarding your citizenship. The interview will be carried out in French and you will be asked certain questions about your knowledge of the country. Interpreters cannot attend and you will need to show your proficiency in the language. When the interview concludes, you will sign the Charter of Rights and Duties of French citizens.

The interview process takes about 90 minutes, and it’s important to prepare in advance to provide yourself with the best chance of success. The questions cover different subjects such as history and geography. Some questions you can expect to be asked include:

• When was the start of the French Revolution?
• What is le Mont Saint-Michel?
• What are the mountain ranges in France?
• Which of the following is considered as THE symbol of the French Republic?
• The Tricolour flag is a symbol of the republic, what do the colours blue, white, and red represent?

In some countries, you have to undertake a civics test. However, this isn’t necessary in France.

French Language Test

As part of the application process, you will need to carry out a French language test. You will need to display that you have a knowledge of French both in writing and orally. This is at level B1 of The European Framework of Reference for Languages (ECRL). You can register for this test through the Institut Français.

The test comprises the following:

• Listening comprehension test (20 questions)
• Reading comprehension (20 questions)
• Oral examination (3 parts)
• Writing examination (3 parts)

Citizenship Ceremony

The process of gaining citizenship will typically take between 1-2 years. This depends on the citizenship type and whether the application was submitted correctly.

You will be invited to a citizenship ceremony within 6 months of being accepted. This is a welcoming ceremony where the Chart of Rights and Duties of French Citizens is provided. You will be sent your certificate of French nationality by post.

You will not be required to provide an oath of allegiance to France during the ceremony.

Cost of French Citizenship

Here is a rough estimate of the costs of obtaining French citizenship:

Some of these costs may vary. In addition to this, extra costs may be incurred depending on the type of citizenship you are applying for.

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