Citizenship
French citizenship: naturalisation, marriage, timelines 2026
There are two main routes to French citizenship: naturalisation by decree (usually after 5 years' residence) and by marriage (after 4 years of marriage). From 1 January 2026 a B2 level of French and a civic exam are required. France allows dual nationality.
Citizenship is the end of the path that begins with a visa and a residence permit. It grants a French passport, EU citizenship with freedom of movement, and full political rights. Let’s go through the two main legal routes and the fresh 2026 requirements.
Naturalisation by decree
The classic route for those living legally in France. The base condition is 5 years of regular, legal residence (“stage”). The term is reduced to 2 years for those who earned a French higher-education diploma after 2 years of study. For refugees, native French speakers from francophone countries and some other categories, the residence condition may not apply.
Important: naturalisation by decree is a discretionary decision of the state. Even when all conditions are met, it’s a right, not an automatic guarantee.
Citizenship by marriage (declaration)
A separate route for spouses of French citizens. The minimum is 4 years of marriage; 5 years if you can’t prove 3 years of continuous residence in France since the marriage. The shared life (material and emotional) must be continuous since the marriage. Citizenship takes effect from the date the declaration is submitted.
Language level: now B2
The key 2026 change: from 1 January 2026, citizenship requires a B2 level of French (oral and written) — for both routes. Previously B1 oral was required. The basis is décret 2025-648 of 15 July 2025 (the text is on légifrance.gouv.fr). The level is proven by a diploma or a recognised language certificate. This is a recent and politically sensitive change — check the current level before applying.
Civic exam and interview
From 1 January 2026, naturalisation by decree includes a civic exam (examen civique): a test in French of 40 questions on France’s history, culture and institutions, pass mark 32/40 (80%), up to 45 minutes, online. A separate assimilation interview (entretien d’assimilation) is held at the préfecture. The charter of the citizen’s rights and duties is signed.
Processing timelines
The administration has a maximum of 18 months from issuing the récépissé to decide; 12 months if you prove 10+ years of residence in France. The term can be extended once by 3 months, with justification.
What citizenship grants
- A French passport and EU citizenship with freedom to move, live and work across the Union.
- The right to vote in French and European elections.
- Dual nationality — France allows it: becoming French doesn’t require renouncing your previous one (in practice there are nuances when living in the country of the second nationality).
Documents and common reasons for refusal
A baseline dossier: a valid residence permit, passport, birth certificate with an apostille and a sworn translator’s (traducteur assermenté) translation, tax notices (avis d’imposition) for recent years, proof of stable income and continuous residence, a B2 language certificate and proof of passing the civic exam.
Common reasons for refusal or deferral (ajournement): insufficient or interrupted residence, unstable income or dependence on benefits, tax debts, an incomplete dossier, an insufficient level of French, recent offences. A refusal or deferral can be appealed (recours). Tax discipline and a continuous legal history are what the préfecture looks at most closely. The exact list of documents varies by préfecture — check on service-public.gouv.fr and your préfecture’s site.
The decision is made by the préfecture (for most categories), followed by a check at national level. Prepare the full set at once: an incomplete dossier is the main cause of lost months.
Real experience of going through it — what documents a specific préfecture asks for, how to prepare for the interview — is shared in the chat by community members who’ve already obtained or applied for citizenship.
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