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Citizenship · France
For foreign residents of France with 5 years of residence, or 2 after a French degree.
Naturalisation by decree needs 5 years of residence in France, or 2 years after two years of higher education completed in France. You also need sufficient French, a passed civic exam and your centre of interests in France on the day of the decree. The fee is €255.
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FranceEUSchengen
How it works
The 5 years are a minimum. The decree also looks at whether your centre of interests is in France when it is signed.
The standard period is 5 years. It drops to 2 years after two years of higher education in France or an exceptional integration path, and some francophone schooling and military service cases need no period at all.
Family and income ties abroad can outweigh the years: the applicant must be resident with the centre of interests in France on the date of the decree.
Sufficient French and a civic exam are required. A prison sentence of 6 months or more without suspension rules the application out.
The fee is €255. We prepare the file; the prefecture interview and the decree are the state’s part.
We check the residence period and the centre-of-interests question, assemble civil records with translations and prepare the online application.
What you getEUSchengen
Requirements
Four conditions; we check the first two against documents.
Legal basis:Naturalisation française par décret (verified 16.07.2026)
Two years of higher education completed in France reduce the period to 2 years.
Incomplete civil records and a weak centre-of-interests case.
Indicative prices; the final quote depends on your case. We usually reply within one business day.
Process
Four steps; the interview and the decree are the state’s.
We check the years, the centre of interests and the record.
Written eligibility note
You order birth and marriage records; we arrange translations.
Translated records
We prepare the online naturalisation application.
Filed application
Refusals
Three grounds from the conditions above.
Checked on
| Reason for refusal | What closes it | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Residence period not reached | We count the years before filing.5 years | Naturalisation française par décret (verified 16.07.2026) |
| Centre of interests outside France | We check where family and income sit and advise waiting if needed. | Not published |
| Language or civic exam missing | We ask for the certificates at the first step. | Not published |
Long term
The 10-year resident card and naturalisation both need 5 years; since 1 January 2026 the resident card also needs French at B1.
Changes
Updated
Naturalisation by decreeOpen
| Date | What changed | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| TransitionEnd of the MiCA transitional period for former PSANs; crypto-asset services now require MiCA (PSCA) authorisation or a passport. | Whole country | Autorité des marchés financiers | |
| ClosureFinance Law for 2026 extended the exceptional contribution on large companies for a second year, now only for turnover of EUR 1.5bn or more. | Whole country | PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries | |
| ReformCivic exam required for first multi-year residence cards and resident cards; French level B1 for resident cards. VAT franchise thresholds kept at EUR 85,000 / EUR 37,500 after the EUR 25,000 single threshold was abandoned. | Whole country | Service Public Entreprendre (DILA, Premier ministre) | |
| ReformExceptional contribution on companies with turnover of EUR 1bn or more (FY2025) and new minimum 20% differential contribution on high incomes (CDHR). | Whole country | PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries | |
| ReformMiCA regime for crypto-asset service providers applies; 18-month grandfathering for existing PSANs. | Whole country | Autorité des marchés financiers |
Documents
Five documents.
Checked on
| Document | Who issues it | Apostille | Translation | Who prepares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant | ||||
| Residence permit history | Prefecture | No | No | You provide |
| Birth certificate | Civil registry of birth country | Yes | Yes | You provide |
| French language certificate | Approved test provider | No | No | You provide |
| Proof of income and tax returns | Employer and tax office | No | No | You provide |
| Online application | Ministry of the Interior portal | No | No | We prepare |
Send us your residence dates; we reply with the list.Get a quote
Request
Residence dates and studies in France give us a first answer.
The information on this site is general and is not legal advice for your specific situation.
Legal disclaimerQuestions
From the naturalisation rules on our check date.
5 years, or 2 years after two years of higher education in France.
The state fee is €255; translations and our work are extra.
A prison sentence of 6 months or more without suspension does.
Sources
French government pages behind this page.
| Source | Publisher | Type | Checked on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government sites | |||
| Naturalisation française par décret (verified 16.07.2026) | Service Public (DILA, Premier ministre) | Government sites | Checked on |