You must be at least 18 years old to be naturalized as a French citizen. However, you can submit your application from the age of 17.
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Naturalization can be granted to a minor child who remains a foreign national even if one of their parents has become French. In this case, the child must have resided in France with that parent for the 5 years prior to the application.
You must reside in France at the time of signing the naturalization decree. This means you must have your center of material interests (especially professional) and family ties in France. If your spouse and/or children reside abroad, French nationality may be denied.
A minimum residency period of 5 years in France is required. However, exceptions exist:
No minimum duration is required if:
A minimum duration of 2 years is required if:
You must have a valid residence permit at the time of submitting your application. This document is not necessary if you are European (EEA) or Swiss. You must not have been subject to an expulsion order or a ban from French territory that is still in effect.
You must demonstrate your assimilation into the French community, verified by passing the civic exam and an interview at the prefecture. You must also show sufficient knowledge of the French language.
Professional integration is an essential condition. This means you must have stable and sufficient income to support yourself and your tax household.
You must have good moral character. You must not have committed acts contrary to public order. More specifically, you must not:
This obligation does not apply if you have been rehabilitated or if the mention of the conviction has been excluded from your criminal record bulletin No. 2.
Prepare the following documents to compile your application. If both members of a couple wish to apply for naturalization, they must each submit separate applications.
The cost of the procedure depends on the place of residence and changes according to the finance law for 2026.
Note: Except for the tax stamp, acquiring French nationality is a free process. Private websites offer paid services (such as obtaining an appointment at the prefecture), but they are not official.
This information varies depending on the situation.
You must be at least 18 years old to be naturalized as a French citizen. However, you can submit your application from the age of 17.
Naturalization can be granted to a minor child who remains a foreign national even if one of their parents has become French. In this case, the child must have resided in France with that parent for the 5 years prior to the application.
You must reside in France at the time of signing the naturalization decree. This means you must have your center of material interests (especially professional) and family ties in France. If your spouse and/or children reside abroad, French nationality may be denied.
A minimum residency period of 5 years in France is required. However, exceptions exist:
You must have a valid residence permit at the time of submitting your application. This document is not necessary if you are European (EEA) or Swiss. You must not have been subject to an expulsion order or a ban from French territory that is still in effect.
You must demonstrate your assimilation into the French community, verified by passing the civic exam and an interview at the prefecture. You must also show sufficient knowledge of the French language.
Professional integration is an essential condition. This means you must have stable and sufficient income to support yourself and your tax household.
You must have good moral character. You must not have committed acts contrary to public order. More specifically, you must not:
This obligation does not apply if you have been rehabilitated or if the mention of the conviction has been excluded from your criminal record bulletin No. 2.
Prepare the following documents to compile your application. If both members of a couple wish to apply for naturalization, they must each submit separate applications.
The cost of the procedure depends on the place of residence and changes according to the finance law for 2026.
Note: Except for the tax stamp, acquiring French nationality is a free process. Private websites offer paid services (such as obtaining an appointment at the prefecture), but they are not official.
This information varies depending on the situation.
No minimum duration is required if:
A minimum duration of 2 years is required if: