How long does it take to get French citizenship?
Readers share experiences and tips - please add yours to survey
Requests for French citizenship typically take from two to five years
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There are essentially two ways to obtain French citizenship: naturalisation by decree or declaration of nationality.
Naturalisation is usually based on living in France for several years, while a declaration often relies on family ties, such as marriage to a French citizen or having a French parent.
Both pathways to citizenship can appear daunting and lengthy processes.
We invited readers who have applied for nationality to complete a survey on their experiences - here is a breakdown of responses so far.
Problems with applications
How difficult was it to provide the required documents?
How long did the entire process take (in years)?
A common piece of advice was to approach the process with patience, persistence and determination, given the lengthy wait times and bureaucratic hurdles involved.
Several respondents described the experience as a ‘postcode lottery’, with processing times and clarity varying significantly between prefectures. Covid-19 restrictions and Brexit were also cited as factors that prolonged applications.
How people apply for citizenship
Many found the process long, complicated, opaque, and frustrating, with poor communication and a lack of clarity over required documents and procedures. Some faced multiple rejections or cancellations due to lost dossiers or documents expiring during long processing periods.
A recurring difficulty was gathering and submitting the correct paperwork on time, including translations. Requests for additional or seemingly irrelevant documents added to the burden, and the three-month expiry period for many documents was a particular source of frustration.
Interview experiences varied, ranging from pleasant and straightforward to more difficult due to environmental factors or challenging questions. Many described the assimilation interview as superficial, while language tests (written and spoken) were a significant hurdle for some.
Did you have family ties in France?
Did you live in France when you first applied?
Despite these challenges, others reported positive experiences, praising officials as professional and helpful. The final citizenship ceremony was widely described as welcoming.
Nonetheless, many respondents expressed pride and satisfaction in obtaining French citizenship, considering the effort worthwhile.
If you have applied for French citizenship and would like to take part in our ongoing survey, you can do so here.
