More readers speak out on French citizenship denial over foreign income

More foreign retirees in France who were rejected for French citizenship on the grounds that their income mostly comes from abroad have told The Connexion how they are appealing to the Interior Ministry.

So far, The Connexion has heard from around 10 readers facing such decisions. 

These refusals appear linked to a circular sent by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau in May, which called on prefectures to reject (“apart from exceptions”) applicants whose income comes mainly from outside France.

There is case law precedent from previous years for this criterion counting against citizenship applicants, on the grounds that it can cast doubt on their residency status for nationality purposes — suggesting their “centre of material interests” lies abroad.

However, while tolerance was often extended in the past to retirees with foreign pension income, May’s circular made no distinction between workers and retirees. 

Even so, the Interior Ministry confirmed that exceptions remain possible, and applicants are advised to detail any close involvement in French society.

Retired teacher appeals on grounds of local integration

Former UK teacher Colin Sanders, 82, from Gironde, is basing his appeal on his strong integration in his commune, including volunteer work and close friendships with French residents.

He said he has told officials about activities such as volunteering with an association that puts on concerts, checking English translations on tourist information panels for the mairie, helping a French friend with English-speaking clients at her gîte, or coaching a local girl to help her prepare for an English test.

He stated in his appeal that he is committed to France and “would dearly like to be an EU citizen again” and “have my right to vote returned.”

Mr Sanders said the tougher rules were applied retrospectively, as he had applied in 2023, clearly indicating his UK-sourced income through attached tax statements.

“I had all the arguments [about my integration] at my fingertips already, as I was waiting to be called for a prefecture interview,” he said. “But they rejected me without calling me in.

“I had three retired friends in the same position who applied before Covid [and prior to the new circular] and they all waltzed through.”

He added: “I’m a net contributor to France: I pay my taxes and the UK picks up my medical expenses via the S1.”

Ex-UN worker also appealing

US citizen Mary Lyn Gaffield, from Côte-d’Or in eastern France, said she retired in 2023 after working in Geneva for the World Health Organization (a UN agency) as a transfrontalière (cross-border worker living in France).

She and her husband moved from the Pays de Gex area, near the Swiss border, to Côte d'Or in 2023 and she has a 10-year long-stay resident's card.

She applied for citizenship earlier this year but has received a respose detailing a two-year 'postponement', also due to her income being from abroad. 

A postponement, as opposed to a rejection, means that — unless the person successfully appeals — they may reapply from scratch in two years, showing “improved” circumstances.

The Connexion was previously told by Interior Ministry sources that income from employment with international organisations such as the UN should not automatically be a bar.

Ms Gaffield, 62, said: “I’m contacting a lawyer for help and have explained that I worked for the UN and my pension and my husband's pension are paid into our French bank account, we own our home, we’re paying French taxes, and I have a small [consulting] business.

“She said I have a really good case. I was also asked to provide letters attesting to my integration into local society and French society in general. 

"The lawyer now has letters from various associations and is in the process of writing a letter for me. I'm hoping that with the her help I will obtain a favourable decision but it’s all up in the air."

Regarding potentially reapplying after the 'postponement', she said "I'll cross that bridge when it comes, but hopefully won't have to do that".

She said her husband, whose circumstances were similar, had obtained French nationality in 2022.

How to appeal

Appeals against a refusal or postponement are made in the first instance to the Interior Ministry. If you applied online, your appeal should be sent via your personal space on the Anef website.

The Connexion will continue to follow this issue. Please contact us if you have been affected at feedback@connexionfrance.com