How to obtain French nationality?

Verified 21 February 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

There are 2 main ways to obtain French nationality: declaration of nationality and the naturalization.

The statement concerns you if you are married or if you have a relationship with a french person (descendant, brother or sister...).

The naturalization is subject to several conditions, in particular the length of residence in France.

Special rules apply if you were born in France to foreigner parents.

Finally, you can become French again if you have lost French nationality.

The approach varies depending on who you are born abroad or in France.

You were born abroad

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You live in France

You can become French by declaration if you are married or have a kinship with a French person :

You can become French by naturalization, subject to the following conditions:

  • You have resided in France since 5 years or more
  • You have refugee status
  • You're from a French-speaking country and you speak french because it's your mother tongue
  • You come from a francophone country and have been enrolled 5 years or more in a French-language teaching institution
  • You have done your military service in the French army
  • You joined the French army or an allied army in wartime
  • You have rendered exceptional services to France
  • You obtained a diploma from a French higher education institution after 2 years of study
  • You can render (or have rendered) important services to France given your abilities and talents
  • You have accomplished an exceptional integration path (activities or actions carried out in the civic, scientific, economic, cultural or sports fields...)

If you are in one of these situations, you can to make a application for naturalization.

Exceptionally, you may be granted French nationality:

If you are in another situation, please contact the naturalization platform that depends on the where you live.

Who shall I contact

You live abroad

You can become French by naturalization, subject to the following conditions:

  • You work for the French state or an organization whose activity is of particular interest to the French economy or culture
  • You are staying in Monaco
  • You are doing your national service or are engaged in regular training of the French army
  • You're a national service volunteer

If you are in one of these situations, you can to make a application for naturalization.

If you are in another situation, please contact the naturalization platform that depends on the where you live.

Who shall I contact

You can return to French by declaration if you are in one of the following situations :

  • You have lost French citizenship after a marriage with a foreigner
  • You have lost French citizenship as a result of a change of nationality of your parents
  • You practiced certain public mandates

If you are in a other situation, reintegration into french nationality is by decree subject to conditions.

You were born in France

If you are born in France to foreigner parents, you can become French by making a statement in the court of law or in the vicinity.

The nationality declaration process varies according to your age.

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