Guide To Become a French | French Citizenship -(Explained)
How do I get French citizenship?
Verified 29 August 2022 – Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
There are 2 main ways to obtain French nationality:
- Naturalization.
- The declaration of nationality
The naturalisation is subject to several conditions, in particular length of residence in France. Special rules apply if you were born in France to foreigners parents. Finally, you can become French again if you lost French nationality.
The approach varies according to youborn abroad or in France.
You can become French by naturalization, under conditions, if you are in one of the following situations:
- You have been living in France 5 years or older
- You have refugee status
- You come from a French and you speak french because it’s your mother tongue
- You come from a French-speaking country and have been educated 5 years or more in a French-language institution
- You served in the French army
- You joined the French army or an allied army in time of war
- You have rendered exceptional services to France
- You have graduated from a French higher education institution after 2 years of study
- You can make (or have made) important services to France based on your abilities and talents
- You have completed an exceptional integration journey (activities or actions carried out in the civic, scientific, economic, cultural or sports fields…)
- If you are in one of these situations, you canmake
- application for naturalisation (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2213?
- lang=en) .
- Exceptionally, French nationality may be granted to you:
- On the proposal of the Minister of Defence, if you were injured during your engagement in the French army
- You have been a foreign national since birth
The declaration concerns you married or if you have relationship with a French person (descendant, brother or sister…).
You can become French by declaration if you married or have relationship with French person :
- Your spouse is French (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2726?
- lang=en)
- You have a French child or grandchild (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F33430?
- lang=en)
- You have a French brother or sister (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F33800?
- lang=en)
- You were adopted by simple adoption (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F3070?lang=en) or collected (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F31919?lang=en) by a French person.
FAQ
Can we have multiple nationalities?
Yes, it is possible to have several nationalities in France. For example, dual nationality, or 3 nationalities. Learn More
In what cases is a child French?
The French nationality of a child, born in France or not, depends mainly on nationality of his parents. Learn More
Does a child born stateless in France become French? (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F3084?
lang=en)
French naturalization by decree (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2213?lang=en)Service-Public.fr
French nationality by marriage (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2726?lang=en)Service-Public.fr
French nationality of the ascendant (parent, grandparent…) of a French (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F33430?lang=en)Service-Public.fr
French nationality of the brother or sister of a Frenchman (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F33800?lang=en)Service-Public.fr
French nationality of adopted child(https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F3070?lang=en)
Service-Public.fr
Additional topics
On the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, if you are French-speaking and that you contribute by your activity to the influence of France.
French nationality may be granted to a French-speaking foreigner who contributes through his distinguished work to the influence of France and the prosperity of its international economic relations.
These 2 conditions are cumulative.
This could include a person or a head of company who is recognised for his or her work in this field.
This exceptional procedure was initiated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Learn More Or Visit (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F15830?lang=en)
If you are in another situation, contact naturalization platform that depends on place where you live.
You live abroad?
You can become French by naturalization, under conditions, if you are in one of the following situations:
- You work for the French State or an organization whose activity is of particular interest for the French economy or culture
- You stay in Monaco
- You do your national service or are engaged in regular training of the French army
- You are a national volunteer
- If you are in one of these situations, you can make application for naturalization (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2213?lang=en) .
If you are in another situation, contact naturalization platform that depends on place where you live.
You can return to French if you are in one of following situations :
- You have lost French nationality following marriage with a foreigner
- You have lost French nationality following a change in the nationality of your parents
- You exercised public mandates
- If you are another, reinstatement in French nationality is done by decree under conditions(https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2214?lang=en) .
- You’ve already been a Frenchman
You return to French by declaration (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F3071?
lang=en)
You were born in France?
If you born in France to foreigners parents, you can become French by making declaration the court or the local court.
The nationality declaration process varies according to your age Learn More here (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F295?lang=en) .
