How To Get French Citizenship
British citizens may qualify for French citizenship through naturalisation, marriage, descent or birth, depending on their circumstances. From 1 January 2026, the usual French-language requirement for naturalisation and citizenship by marriage is B2 in speaking and writing. Applicants for naturalisation by decree must also pass a civic examination unless exempt.
Total Law can offer legal assistance and advice tailored to your individual circumstances, contact us today online or by phone at +33 187653350.
Citizenship in France
There are many reasons why people apply to attain permanent citizenship in France, including for the work opportunities, family connections, social benefits, or simply to begin planning to culturally integrate and stay long-term.
French citizenship also bestows valuable privileges like voting rights and EU membership, significantly enhancing one’s travel opportunities.
Whereas a visa is intended for temporary stays and doesn’t provide as many benefits, receiving full citizenship entitles you to many advantages including permanent residence. It is important to note, however, it is still possible to reside long-term in France if you have a residence permit, though you may not be entitled to as many benefits as someone with citizenship.
A variety of pathways are available if one wishes to obtain French nationality, though you typically need to have continuously lived in France for at least 5 years to apply, with some notable exceptions.
The two methods of obtaining citizenship—declaration or decree—are divided by their differing criteria. It is important to thoroughly understand the eligibility requirements for each pathway, how to navigate the application process, as well as issues you may run into and any corresponding resolutions.
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Can a British Citizen get French Citizenship?
British citizenship does not prevent you from becoming French, and both countries permit dual nationality. For many British residents, naturalisation is the relevant route. This usually requires at least five years of habitual residence in France, although reduced residence periods and exemptions apply in specific cases. If you have a French spouse or parent, a fast-track route may apply instead.
French citizenship provides rights including voting in French national elections and the rights associated with EU citizenship. It is also possible to reside long term in France with an appropriate residence permit without becoming a citizen.
Which French Citizenship Route Applies?
These routes have different requirements. You should establish whether you are already French through a parent before applying to acquire nationality by naturalisation.
| Your circumstances | Route to consider |
|---|---|
| You have established your life in France and meet the residence and integration conditions | Naturalisation by decree |
| You are married to a French citizen | Declaration of nationality by marriage |
| At least one parent was French when you were born | Recognition of French nationality by descent |
| You were born in France | Nationality by birth or by birth and residence, depending on your parents and circumstances |
| You previously held French nationality or have another qualifying family connection | Reintegration or a specific declaration route |
B2 French-Language Requirement in 2026
For applications subject to the rules introduced on 1 January 2026, you normally need evidence of at least B2 French in both oral and written skills. Accepted evidence can include a qualifying diploma or recognised language-test certificate.
Medical exemptions or adjusted testing arrangements may be available where a disability or health condition justifies them. Check the applicable evidence rules before booking a test.
Mandatory Civic Examination
Naturalisation and reintegration applications by decree normally require a pass in the civic examination introduced in 2026. The examination has 40 multiple-choice questions, lasts up to 45 minutes and requires at least 32 correct answers.
It assesses knowledge relevant to French citizenship, including republican principles, institutions, rights and duties, history and society. The naturalisation examination is distinct from the civic examinations used for certain residence permits. You may still need to attend an assimilation interview.
Ways to Obtain French Citizenship
Gaining citizenship by declaration specifically involves having a connection to France via a relative. This is something you are legally entitled to claim for as long as you meet the relevant eligibility criteria and are able to navigate the application process successfully.
French Citizenship by Marriage
You may apply for citizenship by marriage if you have been married to a French citizen for at least four years and meet the other conditions. The waiting period increases to five years if you cannot demonstrate the required three years of continuous lawful residence in France after marriage and the relevant consular-registration condition for residence abroad is not met.
Your spouse must have been French when you married and retained French nationality. Your shared emotional and material life must have continued since the marriage. A marriage celebrated abroad must normally be transcribed into the French civil register.
The usual B2 language requirement applies to marriage declarations from 1 January 2026. The civic examination for naturalisation by decree does not apply to this route, although an interview and assessment of the declaration remain necessary.
See our detailed guide to French citizenship by marriage.
French Citizenship by Descent
If at least one parent was French when you were born, you may already be a French citizen, including if you were born in the UK. Your legal relationship to the French parent must be established in accordance with the applicable rules.
This is generally a question of proving existing nationality rather than meeting the residence requirement for naturalisation. Depending on your records, you may need a French civil-status record or a certificat de nationalité française (CNF).
A French grandparent alone does not automatically establish your entitlement. The nationality chain through your parent and any relevant loss-of-nationality rules must be examined. Read more about French citizenship by descent.
French Citizenship by Birth
Being born in France does not always make a child French immediately. Nationality depends on factors including the parents’ nationality and birthplace and, in some cases, the child’s residence history.
A child born in France to foreign parents can generally become French automatically at 18 if they live in France then and have lived there for at least five years, continuously or intermittently, since age 11. Earlier acquisition by declaration may be possible from 16, or through a parent from 13, under the relevant conditions. Special territorial rules can apply. Our guide to French citizenship by birth explains these routes in more detail.
Naturalisation by Decree
Naturalisation
You may apply to become a naturalised French citizen if you are at least 18 and have maintained continuous residency in France for a minimum of 5 years. This period of residency is a crucial factor in determining eligibility in this process and unless you are an exception, it will be difficult to apply successfully if you do not meet this criteria.
Children may be added to the application for naturalisation alongside their parents, though there may be extra proof required should this be requested.
EU nationals do not need to hold a valid residence card in order to be eligible, though UK nationals do need to have had one for the full 5 years. This requirement underscores the significance of official documentation in the naturalisation process, and extra focus and legal assistance is recommended in closely scrutinising all relevant submitted documents for accuracy.
Additional requirements, such as the ability to sustainably provide for oneself and the proficiency of the French language should also be expected.
A lot of focus is given in the application process to your own integration into French culture and society, and this will be inspected via an interview.
It’s important to note that the process is regarded more as an ‘honorary’ privilege rather than an automatic entitlement, requiring an official decree to be passed which isn’t necessary in the case of citizenship by declaration. As such it is often considered the hardest pathway to receive citizenship in.
Unlike some countries where citizenship is granted automatically to those born within their borders, in France, this status is conferred at birth only if at least one parent is a French citizen.
Exceptions for 5-year rule
While the standard requirement for citizenship by naturalisation is a minimum of 5 years of residence in France, there are certain circumstances where you may be eligible to apply for citizenship even with less time spent in the country. It’s important to note that this is not a guaranteed pathway, but it can significantly bolster your application, especially if you hold a position of high cultural significance.
You may notably apply for citizenship by naturalisation if you have studied a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate at a French university. In this case, the amount of time you need to have resided in France in order to apply upon finishing studies may be as little as 2 years.
This may aid your application as having completed studies in a French university implies sufficient knowledge of writing and speaking the language, as well as economic stability and cultural integration.
Those considered to have provided exceptional contributions to France or be a prominent social figure, be it via military service, athletics, or academic accomplishments, may also apply under these same parameters that help facilitate and expedite the process of gaining citizenship.
French Citizenship Through a French Sibling
You may be eligible to acquire French citizenship by declaration if your brother or sister was born in France to foreign parents and subsequently acquired French nationality through residence, either automatically at 18 or by declaration at 13 or 16.
However, you must also meet several conditions, including being at least 18, having lived legally and habitually in France since the age of six, and having completed your compulsory schooling in France. Simply having a French brother or sister does not automatically entitle you to citizenship.
Other Routes to French Citizenship
Other possibilities include reintegration for former French nationals and specific declarations for qualifying relatives of French citizens. These can include an older direct ascendant of a French citizen or a person with a qualifying French sibling, subject to strict age, residence and other requirements.
Certain exceptional-service and military provisions also exist. Adoption can affect a child’s nationality, but the result depends on the form of adoption and its recognition under French law. These are separate legal routes with their own conditions. Having a French relative or contributing to French society does not create a general entitlement to citizenship.
How to Get French Citizenship: Application Process
It is important to thoroughly check you have met all of the eligibility criteria when making your application, including ensuring all the correct supporting documents have been included.
It is recommended to apply via declaration rather than by decree if this is possible as citizenship is essentially given as a right in this case, whereas it is discretionary otherwise and you may be rejected for any particular reason.
It is also considered easier to apply with this route.
To apply you must make an account on the administration étrangers site, where you must then enter all the details it asks of you, including details about your family, your residence, and your resources. You may also be able to apply at a local town hall in France or at a French embassy overseas.
You will be walked through the steps of compiling the certain type of documents you will need to submit as a dossier, either physically by mail or online.
Such documents you may require depending on the circumstances you are applying under include:
- Passport or photo ID
- Birth certificate
- 2 signed copies of your declaration
- Marriage licence
- Criminal record check
- Proof of nationality of parents
- Proof of residence in France
Any documents submitted must be translated into French.
Upon passing this step you will need to pay a fee of €255 in tax stamps and then you will need to wait for your application to be returned. At some point you may have to attend an interview or examination in order to determine if you meet the expected standard for cultural integration.
This entire process takes on average between 12 and 18 months, though may vary case by case.
Regardless of if you meet one of the main eligibility criteria for gaining citizenship by declaration, you may still be denied for other reasons such as being unable to show an adequate understanding of the French language and culture or not providing certain documents such as your proof of residency.
Your understanding of writing and speaking French must be at the B2 level, which is around the standard of an A grade at GCSE in the UK.
At Total Law, we can offer professional translation services and assistance from immigration specialists to ensure all your supporting documentation is as accurate and up to standard as possible for the French citizenship application process. Contact us online or by phone at +33 187653350 for more details.
French Dual Citizenship
Dual citizenship may be received if applying for French citizenship while also having another valid nationality. In this case you do not need to make any further applications and jump through any bureaucratic hurdles: upon receiving an acceptance for your citizenship claim your dual nationality status will automatically be processed and legally recognised by French authorities.
This will entitle you to all the benefits of being a French citizen, as well as that of your previous nation of residence. Additionally, it’s important to be aware that holding dual nationality may entail responsibilities in both countries, such as tax or military obligations.
Dual British-French Citizenship After Brexit
Brexit changed residence requirements for British nationals who are not also EU citizens. People protected by the Withdrawal Agreement have different residence arrangements from those moving to France after the transition period. Obtaining or renewing lawful residence remains separate from a citizenship application.
French Citizenship Cost in 2026
The standard government charge for naturalisation and the relevant nationality declarations, including citizenship by marriage, is €255 where applicable. In France, this is normally paid using a fiscal stamp; applications through a consulate follow its payment instructions. A reduced charge can apply in French Guiana.
The €255 charge is not a universal fee for every nationality-related procedure. For example, an application for a French nationality certificate is free.
Budget separately for language testing, the civic examination where required, civil certificates, translations, legalisation and any professional assistance. French passport fees are also separate.
French Citizenship Processing Time
For naturalisation by decree, the statutory response period is generally 18 months from the receipt confirming a complete file. It is reduced to 12 months if you have habitually lived in France for at least ten years when that receipt is issued. The authority can extend the period once by three months with reasons.
These periods are not a promise that the entire process, including the wait before the complete-file receipt, will take 12–18 months. Local queues, document requests and checks can make the overall process considerably longer.
For a marriage declaration, the normal registration decision period is one year from the receipt for the complete declaration. It can be two years if the government begins an opposition procedure. Other declaration routes and nationality-certificate applications have different rules.
Upon an Accepted Citizenship Application: Next Steps
Once your application has been approved, you can expect to receive an official notification as a letter. This will include an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony, which typically takes place within 6 months following the decision.
Aside from pathways specifically for accommodating minors, you may apply for French citizenship as early as the age of 17, but upon being accepted you will need to wait until you are 18 to officially receive French national status.
You will gain access to all the benefits afforded to someone with a residence permit in France including healthcare and visa-free travel within the Schengen area, with the added ability to reside in any other EU country and the other advantages that come with being an EU citizen.
You should be aware of certain further responsibilities that should be adhered to so as to avoid your citizenship being revoked, which is a possibility especially if you gained citizenship by naturalisation after turning 18.
Such cases that can result in revocation include criminal or offensive acts that majorly disrupt the interests of the nation, or if you have been found to have committed fraud during the citizenship application process within 24 months of it being granted.
Rejected Citizenship Application: What Next
You may be rejected for your French citizenship application for any number of reasons, especially if applying by decree (naturalisation).
The importance of carefully following each step and procedure as meticulously as possible cannot be understated, right up to and including the final step of the process, the citizenship ceremony. French authorities place great emphasis on the need for diligence throughout the process and it is paramount in maximising your chances of being successful that this is adhered to.
The most common reasons to be rejected include previous criminal convictions, lack of ability to sustain oneself financially, and a lack of supporting documentation.
There are two types of rejections. An ‘inadmissible’ response is received when you have not met the legal prerequisites of the application that has been submitted. In such cases, resubmission is only viable once your circumstances have changed to align with the required criteria.
An ‘inappropriate’ response may be received even if you have legally met the criteria. Your application may be put on hold allowing you to improve your situation, for example if you are expected to increase the amount you are integrated professionally.
You may have the right to appeal a rejection, which you must do within 2 months of receiving the initial decision. The initial appeal must be sent to the Minister responsible for naturalisation before you may choose to make a further contentious appeal to the administrative court of Nantes.
In the event of a rejection, you have the right to appeal the decision. This must be done within 2 months from the date of receiving the initial decision. The first appeal should be directed to the Minister responsible for naturalisation. Subsequently, if necessary, a further contentious appeal can be pursued through the administrative court of Nantes, allowing for a comprehensive review of your case.
It’s crucial to navigate this process with expert guidance to maximise your chances of success.
How Total Law Can Help
There are many roadblocks you may run into when applying for French citizenship, as well as so many pathways with their own intricacies that must be navigated carefully in order to have a chance at a successful response.
Being rejected after spending so much time and resources on the process can be disheartening, which is why Total Law is available to assist you with the application process with professional legal and translation services being made available to carefully inspect every aspect of your application.
In the unfortunate event of an initial rejection, we stand by to help with the appeals process, providing the appropriate amount of support such an endeavour requires.
Total Law has a team of experienced immigration specialists who will work tirelessly to make the complicated process of gaining French citizenship as simple as possible for you.
Contact Total Law today online or by phone at +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
You are recommended to study the Livret du Citoyen (citizen’s booklet) for the assimilation interview, as well as ensuring you are up to date with French politics, sports, news, culture (including books and TV), and other general knowledge as you may be asked a question on topics like these.
Other things you will be asked about include who and which groups you associate with. A visit from local French police may also take place, with or without prior notification.
Asylum seekers may gain French citizenship by naturalisation after receiving a successful application for refugee status. You must spend at least 5 years living in France, be able to speak and write the language, and be deemed to have integrated into French culture and life in order to meet the eligibility criteria.
Typically, the time spent in France as an asylum seeker while waiting for refugee status to be granted does not count towards the 5 years you must spend in France. This only starts being counted once the claim for asylum has been successful.
If you are applying for French citizenship by naturalisation you must not have had any criminal records within the last 10 years of living in France.
If you have been in France for less than 10 years, it is important you submit such documents as a Bulletin No. 3 certificate which can be ordered online to prove you have not received any criminal convictions in this time.
