French Citizenship — who qualifies

Sourced from official French government portals, consulates, and legal texts.

By Descent (droit du sang)

You are French at birth if at least one parent is French at the time of your birth (anywhere in the world). Legal basis: Code civil Art. 18; related rule about possible repudiation when only one parent is French and the child is born abroad: Art. 18-1.
Practical note (if born abroad to a French parent): the French birth must be registered in French civil status (often via the consulate). See consular civil-status guidance.

Double jus soli: French by birth if born in France and at least one parent was also born in France. (Civil Code section “nationalité d’origine”.)
Automatic at 18 (with residence conditions): born in France to foreign parents, you become French at 18 if you reside in France at 18 and had habitual residence in France for ≥5 years between ages 11–18 (continuous or not). Early declarations possible at 13 or 16. Legal basis: Code civil Art. 21-7 and following; explanatory government page.
Special protections: foundlings/stateless-parent situations are covered by Code civil Art. 19–19-3 (children born in France to stateless parents, etc.).

You may acquire French nationality by declaration if you meet all of the following:
Marriage duration: generally 4 years (becomes 5 years in certain cases—e.g., <3 years of continuous residence in France and spouse not consular-registered while abroad).
Valid, transcribed marriage (if celebrated abroad).
Continuous community of life (material & emotional).
Language requirement (see §6).
No serious public-order issues.
Official guidance: Service-Public (FR/EN). Legal basis: Code civil Art. 21-2. Consulates handle filings when you live abroad.

You can apply for naturalization by decree if you:
Have lawful, habitual residence in France for at least 5 years (reductions/exemptions exist for studies in France, service to France, etc.).
Hold a valid residence status and demonstrate integration (language & civics), law-abiding conduct, and economic insertion (work/resources).
File with your préfecture (in France).
Official government pages (Interior Ministry; Service-Public) summarize conditions and the file you must present. Legal framework: Code civil Art. 21-15 et seq.; Decree n°93-1362 (procedures).

If you previously held French nationality and lost it, you may request réintégration:
- By decree (you must reside in France at the time the decree is signed; time limits for administration’s response).
- By declaration (limited historic categories).
  See Service-Public for reintegration and timelines; legal basis in Code civil Art. 24 & 24-1.

Current rule: B1 (oral & written) CEFR level required. (Justice/Service-Public explain accepted proofs.)
Change announced: Government decree n° 2025-648 (15 Jul 2025)—B2 and a civics exam will apply from 1 Jan 2026 (see Service-Public notice). Always check the current requirement right before you apply.

Legal texts (Legifrance)
- Code civil — Art. 18–18-1 (descent).
- Code civil — Art. 19–19-3 (foundlings/stateless parents).
- Code civil — Art. 21-7 … 21-11 (born in France to foreign parents; declarations at 13/16; automatic at 18).
- Code civil — Art. 21-2 (spouse of a French citizen).
- Code civil — Art. 21-15 and following (naturalization by decree; framework).
- Decree n°93-1362 (nationality procedures).
Government portals (how the administration applies the law)
- Service-Public (official citizen portal):
- Naturalization (by decree): conditions & documents.
- Marriage route (declaration): 4-/5-year rules, filing, documents.
- Language requirement (B1 now; B2/civics scheduled 01-01-2026).
- Nationality overview hub (all procedures, incl. reintegration & family-based declarations).
Ministry of the Interior (Immigration & Nationality): overview of who is French at birth; who can apply; residence stage; integration criteria.
Ministry of Justice: accepted proofs for B1 language currently.

France Diplomatie (Foreign Affairs) — official page on acquiring nationality & the 5-year residence rule for naturalization; consulates guide filings when abroad.
Example consulate pages (civil-status registration & nationality information):
- Los Angeles (birth/marriage registration; “Could I become French?”).
- Any other mission: use the France Diplomatie directory for your country, then “Nationality” or “Civil status” section.

Descent: at least one French parent at birth; if born abroad, ensure consular transcription of the birth. (Code civil 18–18-1; consular civil status.)
Born in France: automatic at 18 with residence history (≥5 years between 11–18 and residence at 18), or earlier declaration at 13/16; double jus soli at birth; special cases for stateless/foundlings. (Code civil 21-7 … 21-11; 19–19-3).
Marriage: 4 years (or 5 in some cases), valid/transcribed marriage, community of life, language, no serious offenses; file in préfecture (France) or consulate (abroad). (Service-Public; Code civil 21-2.)
Naturalization: 5 years’ residence (with exceptions), integration (language & civics), resources/conduct; préfecture filing; procedures per decree. (Interior Ministry; Service-Public; Decree 93-1362).
Reintegration: you were French before; by decree (residing in France at decree) or declaration (specific historic categories); set timelines for administration response. (Service-Public.)