FranceCitizenship

Naturalisation by decree in France

Naturalisation by decree allows foreign nationals living in France to acquire French citizenship. The procedure requires you to meet the conditions on residence, knowledge of the language and good character. The administration holds a civics exam and an interview on assimilation into French society. When a parent is naturalised, minor children automatically become French citizens if they are named in the decree. Spouses have to file separate applications.

Source: Service-Public.fr — the official French administration portal

Who can be naturalised

Naturalisation is available to foreign nationals who meet certain conditions. There are several routes, depending on your status and history.

No period required, or a shortened route (up to 2 years)

Refugee status
A graduate of a French higher education institution with at least 2 years of study
Exceptional integration through civic, scientific, economic, cultural or sporting activity

The standard route (5 years)

Settled residence in France for 5 years in a row
A sufficient level of knowledge of French
Good character, integration and a stable income to support yourself and your family

When the programme is not a fit

You are under 18

Wait until you come of age (the application can be filed as early as 17)

You have serious criminal convictions in France

Wait until the conviction is spent, or consult a lawyer on the conditions for it being spent

You do not have a stable income

Provide documentary evidence of your means of subsistence for yourself and your dependants

What it costs

Stamp duty (mainland France and the main territories)Paid with a tax stamp (timbre fiscal)	255 EUR
Stamp duty (French Guiana)The reduced rate for Guiana	127,5 EUR

Paid separately

Advisory services from private companies — The naturalisation procedure is free; private websites may offer paid assistance, but it is not required

Documents to gather

All foreign documents have to be translated by a sworn translator and, where necessary, legalised (in accordance with the Hague Convention). The originals are required at the interview at the prefecture.

Passport or another official identity document
A residence visa (if you are not an EEA or Swiss national)
A criminal record certificate (mandatory if you have lived in France for less than 10 years)
Evidence of your address of residence (utility bills, a tenancy agreement, a certificate from your employer)
Income and tax certificates (a certificate from the tax office, an employment contract, bank statements)
A certificate of command of French (a diploma, a certificate or an attestation)
A certificate of having passed the civics exam (examen civique)
Civil status documents (birth, marriage and divorce certificates, where applicable)
Two photographs measuring 35×45 mm (where filing by post)
Cerfa form no. 12753 in duplicate (where filing by post)

How the process runs

The naturalisation process involves several main stages. The total period for consideration does not exceed 18 months.

1
Preparing the documents and checking that you meet the conditions
1-2 months
Make sure you meet all the requirements (age, period of residence, income, knowledge of the language). Collect all the necessary documents: passport, criminal record certificate, evidence of address and income, translations of foreign documents.
2
Filing the application online or by post
1 day
The application can be filed through your personal account on the Service Public website (online) or by post to your prefecture. If filing by post, use cerfa form no. 12753 in duplicate, attach all the documents and pay the stamp duty.
3
Receiving the receipt acknowledging the documents
1-2 weeks
The administration sends you a receipt acknowledging the application and notifies you of the next stages. The 18-month period for consideration runs from that date.
4
Taking the civics exam
2-6 months
You will be invited to take the civics exam (examen civique), which tests your knowledge of republican values and the French Charter of Rights and Duties. It is advisable to prepare using the official handbook (livret du citoyen).
5
Interview at the prefecture
2-8 months
The prefecture will arrange an interview to check your assimilation into French society, your level of integration, your compliance with tax obligations and the authenticity of the documents you have submitted. Bring the originals of all documents.
6
Consideration of the application by the administration
up to 18 months
The administration analyses all the material received. The period can be extended once by a further 3 months where there is a justified reason. If you have lived in France for 10 years or more, the period is reduced to 12 months.
7
Receiving the naturalisation decree
not defined
If the decision is positive you will receive the naturalisation decree, which is published in the Official Journal (Journal Officiel). Naturalisation takes effect on the date the decree is signed. From that moment you become a French citizen.
8
Arranging a passport and an identity card
2-4 weeks
Once you have the decree, apply to your local town hall (mairie) to arrange a French passport and identity card (carte d'identité). These documents evidence your citizenship and are used for employment, travel and other purposes.

Who you can bring with you

On naturalisation, one parent can affect the status of other family members. The conditions differ for children and for a spouse.

Minor children

They become French citizens automatically when one of the parents is naturalised, if they are named in the naturalisation decree, habitually live with the naturalised parent and are not married at the time the decree is signed.

Spouse

They do not become French citizens automatically. They have to file a separate naturalisation application and go through the whole process themselves, meeting all the requirements (age, period of residence, knowledge of the language, exams, good character, income).

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to citizenship

Acquisition of French citizenship by decree.

Frequently asked questions about Naturalisation by decree

What level of French is required for naturalisation?

A sufficient knowledge of French is required. You have to produce a diploma, certificate or attestation evidencing your level. Exceptions: natives of French-speaking countries whose mother tongue is French, and people with five years of education in French.

What can I do if the naturalisation application is rejected?

You have 2 months from being notified of the refusal to lodge an administrative complaint with the Minister of the Interior. If the application was filed online, the complaint has to be sent through your personal account. If the complaint is rejected, or there is no answer within 4 months, you can bring a claim in the administrative court of Nantes within 2 months.

How long does the application take to consider?

The administration has a maximum of 18 months from the date of the receipt acknowledging the application. If you have lived in France for 10 years or more, the period is reduced to 12 months. The set periods can be extended once by 3 months, with reasons given.

How much is the stamp duty, and are any other payments needed?

The stamp duty is 255 euros in mainland France and 127.50 euros in French Guiana. The duty is paid with a tax stamp when filing by post. When filing through a consulate abroad, the duty is paid at the consulate. No other official payments for naturalisation are required.

Can I be naturalised in less than 5 years?

Yes, there are several routes that shorten the period to 2 years: obtaining a diploma from a French higher education institution (at least 2 years of study), rendering significant services to France through your abilities, or demonstrating an exceptional path of integration through civic, scientific, economic, cultural or sporting activity. There is also no minimum period for refugees, natives of French-speaking countries and certain other categories.

What happens to my children and spouse on naturalisation?

Minor children automatically become French citizens if they are named in the naturalisation decree, live with the naturalised parent and are not married. A spouse does not become a French citizen automatically — they have to file a separate naturalisation application and go through the whole process themselves.

Other ways to move to France

Every route in one list — migration programmes: France.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.