Naturalisation française par décret
naturalisation by decree, Code civil art. 21-15 ff.
Adults living in France can apply to the State for French nationality, which is granted at the government's discretion by decree. The usual requirement is five years of habitual residence, with reductions to two years or no minimum in specified cases. Since 1 January 2026 applicants must prove French at B2 level (spoken and written) and pass a new civic exam, under Decree No. 2025-648 of 15 July 2025 implementing the immigration law of 26 January 2024. A circular of 2 May 2025 from the Interior Minister tightened how prefectures assess assimilation, professional integration and resources.
Life in France
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
83
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
11–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 20%
Per household share: 0% up to EUR 11,600, 45% above EUR 181,917 (2025 income, taxed 2026); plus 3-4% high-income contribution and 9.7% CSG/CRDS on most income.
Living
1
Happiness
#33 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Members
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Foreign adults with their centre of interests and family ties in France, normally after five years of residence, with stable resources and strong French. Spouses of French citizens usually use the separate declaration route, not this one.
Eligibility
Age
You need to be at least 18 to apply, though you can file the application from age 17.
Age limits
- Minimum age
- 18
- Earliest filing age
- 17
Official wording
Applicants must be at least 18; the application can be filed from age 17.
Residence in France
Applicants must live in France when the decree is signed, with their centre of material interests and family ties in France.
Five years of habitual residence
You need at least five years of residence in France as the standard minimum.
5 years
Standard residence period
Official wording
The standard minimum is five years of residence in France.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementReduced to two years
- Document checklistValid residence permit (copy front and back)
- FeesFiscal stamp (timbre fiscal)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 8 more requirements
- 12 documents
- 3 fees
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in France
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- Service-Public - Naturalisation française par décret (F2213, checked 16 July 2026)
- Service-Public - Justifier de son niveau en français (F11926, checked 1 Jan 2026)
- Service-Public - Examen civique (F39426, checked 16 July 2026)
- Service-Public - Multiple nationality (F334)
- Légifrance - Décret n° 2025-648 du 15 juillet 2025
- Légifrance - Arrêté du 30 décembre 2025 (exemptions from language and civic exam proof)
- Légifrance - Circulaire du 2 mai 2025, Orientations relatives à l'acquisition de la nationalité française
- Ministère de l'Intérieur - Examen civique required from 1 January 2026
- Ministère de l'Intérieur - L'examen civique pour une demande de naturalisation
- Ministère de l'Intérieur - Access to French nationality in 2025
Other routes to France
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyVisa long séjour valant titre de séjour (VLS-TS) « étudiant »
- Work permitsCarte de séjour pluriannuelle « talent » (formerly Passeport Talent) - salarié qualifié and carte bleue européenne streams
- FamilyFamily reunification
- Asylum & protectionAsylum in France
