In Brief

• Naturalization by decree is a procedure for acquiring French nationality.
• The cost of the tax stamp will increase to €255 (€127.5 in Guyana) starting May 1, 2026.
• The process is free except for the payment of the tax stamp; no paid service is required to obtain an appointment.
• You must reside in France with the center of your material and family interests at the time of the signing of the decree.

Who Can Apply

To be naturalized as a French citizen, you must meet several strict conditions defined by law. If you do not meet all these conditions, you should check if you can become French through another procedure.

General Conditions

Age You must be at least 18 years old to be naturalized as a French citizen. However, you can submit your application as early as 17 years old. Naturalization can also be granted to a minor child who remains a foreign national, provided that one of their parents has become French and the child has resided in France with that parent for the 5 years preceding the application.

Place of Residence You must reside in France at the time of the signing of the naturalization decree. This means having the center of your material (especially professional) interests and family ties in France. If you reside in France but your spouse and/or children live abroad, French nationality may be denied.

Minimum Duration of Residence A minimum of 5 years of residence in France is generally required. However, exceptions exist:

• No minimum duration required if:

  • You have refugee status.
  • You come from a French-speaking country and speak French as your mother tongue.
  • You come from a French-speaking country and have been educated for 5 years or more in a French-language institution.
  • You have served in the French army.
  • You have enlisted in the French army or an allied army during wartime.
  • You have provided exceptional services to France.

• Minimum duration of 2 years required if:

  • You have obtained a diploma from a French higher education institution after 2 years of study.
  • You can provide (or have provided) significant services to France based on your skills and talents.
  • You have achieved an exceptional integration journey (activities or actions undertaken in civic, scientific, economic, cultural, or sports fields).

Regularity of Stay You must have a valid residence permit at the time of submitting your application. This requirement does not apply if you are a national of a European Economic Area (EEA) state or Switzerland. Additionally, you must not have been subject to an expulsion order or a ban from French territory that is still in effect.

Assimilation and Integration You must demonstrate your assimilation into the French community, verified by passing the civic exam and an interview at the prefecture. A sufficient knowledge of the French language is required. Professional integration is essential: you must have stable and sufficient income to support yourself and your tax household.

Morality You must be of good character. You must not have committed acts contrary to public order. More specifically, you must not:

• Have been convicted in France of a prison sentence without parole of 6 months or more.
• Have been convicted of a crime or offense that constitutes a threat to the fundamental interests of the Nation or an act of terrorism.

This requirement does not apply in cases of rehabilitation or exclusion of the mention of the conviction from your criminal record.

Steps to Follow

Preparing your file must be thorough to avoid unnecessary delays.

1. Check the conditions: Ensure you meet all the criteria above (age, residence, stay, assimilation, morality).
2. Obtain the tax stamp: Prepare the payment for the tax stamp corresponding to your place of residence.
3. Compile the file: Gather all the supporting documents listed below. Note that if both members of a couple wish to submit an application, they must prepare two separate files.
4. Submit the application: You can carry out this process online (via teleprocedure) or by mail, according to the procedures indicated by your prefecture.

Documents to Provide

Prepare the following documents to compile your file:

• Tax stamp (amount varies depending on the date and location, see Cost section).
• Copy of your valid residence permit (front and back) (unless you are a Swiss national or from a European state).
• Official identity document (passport or residence permit).
• Proof of your civil status and nationality.
• Proof of your residence.
• Proof of your income and taxes.
• Diploma or certificate justifying your level of knowledge of the French language.
• Certificate proving success in the civic exam.
• Proof if you are living as a couple.
• Proof if you have been previously married (divorce or widowhood).
• Proof if you have minor children.
• If you are a veteran or legionnaire: service record, decorations, and citations received.

Cost

The cost of the process depends on the place of residence and will change with the finance law for 2026.

General Case (Metropolitan France and other departments)

• Currently: €55.
• As of May 1, 2026: €255.

In Guyana

• Currently: €27.50.
• As of May 1, 2026: €127.5.

This tax is paid with a tax stamp. If you submit your file abroad, payment is made at the consulate.

Beware of Scams Private websites offer paid services for acquiring French nationality, such as obtaining an appointment at the prefecture. Be aware that, except for the tax stamp, acquiring French nationality is a free process.

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not confuse residence and center of interests: Physically residing in France is not enough if the center of your material or family interests is abroad.
• Do not ignore the update of costs: If you plan your application after May 1, 2026, the cost of the stamp will nearly double. Anticipate this financial change.
• Do not pay for an appointment: No official organization charges for obtaining an appointment at the prefecture for this type of process.
• Do not forget specific documents: Proof of family situation (marriage, divorce, children) is systematically required, and their absence will block the file.

Official Source

The information contained in this guide is extracted exclusively from the official sheet French Naturalization by Decree published on service-public.fr, verified on January 1, 2026, by the Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister).