Having French citizenship comes with a huge range of benefits. Not least is the right to live and work in France. With a french citizenship comes the french passport and visa free travel to more than 180 countries around the world. It also means the ability to travel and work throughout the European Schengen Zone which is one of the best visa free travel zones in the world.
In France they have various rules and regulations about applying for citizenship. However their are many rights you might have as someone who is applying for one which it would be good to know! We detail these and the paths you can take to citizenship in the sections below.
Table of Contents
- How to get France citizenship
- The benefits of France citizenship
- How to show ties to the French National Community
- Next steps for your French citizenship
How to get French citizenship
Here are the 4 ways to get citizenship for France and a French passport.
- Birth or birthright citizenship.
- Descent from your parents or grandparents.
- Marriage or de facto partnership.
- Naturalization by living in France.
1) Citizenship by birth in France
For those born in France or an overseas French territory
You can apply to become a French citizen if you meet one or more of these requirements:
- Your mother or father is a French national.
- Even if they are not French nationals, either your mother or father was born in France.
- You do not possess another nationality.
2) French Citizenship through Parents and Grandparents
If one or both of your parents are French citizens, you are eligible to become a French citizen. However, it is important to note that they still need to have maintained strong ties to France in order to claim this.
For those adopted by a French citizen
Any child under 18 who a French citizen adopts is eligible for French citizenship as long as it is declared a Plenary adoption – which means that the child has no, or has severed all, ties to its biological parents. In this case the child is seen as a ‘birth’ child.
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3) French Citizenship through Marriage / Partnership
In France, you do not automatically gain French citizenship if you marry a French national. There are certain requirements that need to be met first in order to apply for citizenship:
- You will need to have been married for 4 years.
- You will need to have been married for 5 years if you have lived in France for less than 3 of those years.
- You and your spouse must prove that you live together as a married couple.
- You will need to show that you have a B1 level of French.
- You have no criminal convictions which resulted in a jail sentence of six months or more.
Note: If your wedding took place abroad, you also need to enter it into the French Civil Registry.
4) French Citizenship by Naturalization
If you are 18 years or older and have been living in France for five years, you can apply for citizenship by naturalization. However there are still some requirements that need to be met in order to be successful:
- Knowledge of the French language to a B1 level.
- Sufficient knowledge of French history, culture, and business.
- Stable and sufficient income to support yourself and your household.
- No criminal convictions that have resulted in imprisonment of six months or more.
This time can also be reduced under various circumstances such as serving in the French Army, studying at a higher education institution or if you are classified as a refugee.
The Benefits of French Citizenship
French citizenship is one of the most respected in the world. France is seen as a good global citizen and has very few diplomatic or international issues. This reputation means that if you are traveling as a French citizen, you’ll receive a worldwide welcome. France is also part of the European Union and having citizenship will allow you visa free travel throughout the Schengen Zone.
The French passport is also recognized as one of the most powerful in the world. Most passport power rankings have France’s passport in the Top 10, with visa-free access to more than 180 countries and territories.
These include high-value destinations like:
- Australia
- European Union (EU), European Economic Area, and Switzerland.
- Israel
- Japan
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom (UK)
- United States of America (USA)
READ ALSO: Moving to France: Your Comprehensive Guide to Relocation Success
France Allows Dual Nationality
France allows dual and multiple citizenships. This allowance is important, as it means you can retain any citizenship and passport you have. It also means if you get another citizenship in the future, you can maintain your French nationality and France passport.
You will need to understand the dual citizenship policies for those nationalities that you already hold. Some countries insist you give up citizenship when you take on a new nationality.
You can live, study, and work in the European Union
France is a founding member of the European Union. As a citizen, you can work, live, and travel freely in any of the 30 European Economic Area countries.
How to show ties to the French National Community
You can prove your connection to France in many ways. The evidence for your French citizenship application will be assessed together, so the more items you cover, the more certain your ties.
Effective links to the French community could include:
- Speaking French to A2 level.
- Living in France.
- Owning or renting a property in France.
- French tax residency, tax identification number, and social security registration.
- French bank accounts.
- Regular travel to France.
- Active involvement in French cultural or social organizations such as sports teams.
- French friends and family.
- Investing in France or French companies.
READ ALSO: Living in France: Insights on Everyday Life and Culture.
Next steps for your French citizenship
If you found a path to French citizenship and a France passport, great news! Now, what next? First is to identify the full requirements of your citizenship option.
Next is to start to gather all the documentation you’ll need to present to make your case.
Our partner in France, an experienced and qualified French immigration lawyer, will make the process simpler. They’ll be best placed to understand the law’s nuance and be on top of any changes. They’ll help you submit an application that will be approved as fast as possible.
Becoming a citizen of France opens up wonderful opportunities for you and your family. And, with the excellent immigration options, this is a real possibility for many people.