The Short Answer
You need 5 years of residence in France (2 years with a French degree), a valid residence permit when you apply, B2 French, a passed civic exam and interview, and stable income. Once the decree is published, you apply for the passport.
| Requirement | Rule (service-public.gouv.fr) |
|---|---|
| Residence, standard | 5 years minimum |
| Residence, French graduates | 2 years, with a French higher-education diploma after 2 years of study |
| Residence status | Valid residence permit at the time you apply |
| French language | B2, spoken and written |
| Integration | Civic exam and an interview at the prefecture |
| Professional integration | Stable and sufficient income |
| Application fee | EUR 255 tax stamp |
The Residence Rule
The service-public.gouv.fr naturalisation page states it in one line: “Une durée minimale de 5 ans de résidence en France est exigée.” Your life also has to be centred in France. The page warns that if your spouse or children live abroad while you live in France, naturalisation can be refused.
The two-year route is the one most people miss. If you earned a diploma from a French higher-education institution after 2 years of study, the minimum drops to 2 years. For anyone weighing a French master's degree, that is worth knowing before you choose where to study.
B2 French and the Civic Exam
The language bar is B2, spoken and written. The official language page lists what counts as proof: a French diploma, a diploma certifying at least B2, or a TCF or TEF certificate issued less than 2 years before you apply. B2 is a real step up from the B1 that Germany asks for, so budget study time for it.
Your integration is checked through a civic exam and an interview at the prefecture. Professional integration counts too: you have to show stable income that covers your needs.
Keeping your current nationality
French law allows multiple nationalities. The service-public.gouv.fr page on several nationalities says French law does not require a foreigner who becomes French to give up their original nationality. Check your other country's rules as well.
Which Visa Starts the Clock
| Route | Government fee | Processing | Permanent residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talent Passport (Qualified Employee) | $243 | 1–3 months | About 5 years |
| Talent Passport (EU Blue Card) | $243 | 1–3 months | About 5 years |
| Long-Stay Visitor Visa | $107 | 1–2 months | About 5 years |
The Talent Passport covers skilled employees and founders, with an EU Blue Card variant. The long-stay visitor visa suits people living on their own means without working in France. Transita estimates about 5 years from arrival to citizenship on the standard route.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you need to live in France to get a French passport?
5 years of residence is the standard minimum for naturalisation by decree. It drops to 2 years if you earned a French higher-education diploma after 2 years of study, and some groups (including recognised refugees and some native French speakers from francophone countries) have no minimum.
What level of French do you need for citizenship?
B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference, spoken and written, according to service-public.gouv.fr. You prove it with a recognised diploma or a TCF or TEF certificate issued less than 2 years before.
Can I keep my nationality if I become French?
French law allows several nationalities and does not require a foreigner who becomes French to renounce their nationality of origin. Your other country may have its own rule, so check it too.
How much does French naturalisation cost?
The application costs EUR 255 (EUR 127.50 in French Guiana), paid with a tax stamp (timbre fiscal), according to service-public.gouv.fr. Private websites that charge for appointments are not required.
When do I get the French passport itself?
After naturalisation is granted by decree you are French, and you then apply for a passport like any other citizen. The naturalisation decision is the long part; the passport is a standard application afterwards.
Related guides
Start your French residence on the right permit
Transita checks your profile against every French route, from the Talent Passport to the long-stay visitor visa. Answer 8 questions and your routes, documents and dates are set up for you. Free.
Build my workspaceofficial sources: Passeport Talent - salarié qualifié · france-visas.gouv.fr·VLS-TS visiteur · france-visas.gouv.fr