In Brief

• Naturalization by decree is a procedure for acquiring French nationality.
• Starting May 1, 2026, the cost of the tax stamp will be set at €255 (€127.5 in French Guiana).
• Conditions include age, residency, legality of stay, assimilation, and morality.
• The process is free except for the mandatory payment of the tax stamp.

Who Can Apply

To apply for French nationality by decree, you must meet several cumulative conditions. 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 French. However, you can submit your application from the age of 17. Naturalization can also be granted to a minor child who remains foreign even though one of their parents has become French, provided that 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 signing the naturalization decree. This means having your center of material interests (especially professional) 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 are in one of the following situations:

  • 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 military.
  • You have enlisted in the French military or an allied army during wartime.
  • You have provided exceptional services to France.

• Minimum duration of 2 years required if you are in one of the following situations:

  • You have obtained a degree 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 path (activities or actions carried out in civic, scientific, economic, cultural, or sports fields).

Legality 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) country or Switzerland. You must not have been subject to an expulsion order or a ban from French territory that is still in effect.

Assimilation to the French Community You must demonstrate your assimilation to the French community. This assimilation is verified by passing the civic exam and during an interview at the prefecture.

Knowledge of the French Language You must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the French language.

Professional Integration Professional integration is an essential condition for assimilation and integration in France. This means you must have stable and sufficient income to support yourself and your tax household.

Morality and Absence of Criminal Convictions You must have good moral character. This means you must not have committed acts contrary to public order.

You must not be in one of the following situations:

• Have been convicted in France to a prison sentence of 6 months or more without suspension.
• 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 obligation does not apply to you in the case of rehabilitation or exclusion of the mention of the conviction from the second bulletin of your criminal record.

Steps

The process takes place in several key steps:

1. Check the conditions: Ensure you meet all the criteria mentioned above.
2. Inquire about the price: Prepare the amount of the tax stamp corresponding to your place of residence.
3. Prepare the file: Assemble your file with the required documents.
4. Submit the application: Submission can be done online or by mail, according to the specified modalities.

Documents

To prepare your file, you must provide the following documents. Note that if both members of a couple wish to apply for naturalization, they must prepare two separate files.

The mandatory documents include:

• Tax stamp (€55 currently, €255 starting May 1, 2026).
• Copy of your valid residence permit (unless you have Swiss nationality 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 live 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 soon.

Current and Future Situation

• General case: The process currently costs €55. This fee is paid with a tax stamp. However, starting May 1, 2026, the tax stamp will be set at €255.
• In French Guiana: The process currently costs €27.50. This fee is paid with a tax stamp. Starting May 1, 2026, the rate will be €127.5.

If you submit your file abroad, payment is made at the consulate.

It is important to note that acquiring French nationality is a free process except for the payment of the tax stamp. Private websites sometimes offer a paid service for the procedures, for example, to obtain an appointment at the prefecture, but these fees are not official.

Deadlines

This information varies depending on the situation and administrative processing.

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Confusion about costs: Beware of private websites that charge for services related to naturalization. Only the tax stamp is mandatory.
• Incomplete file: A couple must submit two separate files if both spouses wish to be naturalized.
• Non-compliance with residency conditions: The center of material and family interests must be in France at the time of signing the decree.

Official Source

The information presented in this guide is extracted exclusively from the official sheet French Naturalization by Decree updated by Service Public / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister).