What is French naturalisation?

This is the word that comes up most often in searches about the civic exam, and often the vaguest. Naturalisation, acquisition, declaration: these terms do not cover the same thing. Naturalisation by decree is the one the civic exam applies to; the other routes follow rules of their own.

What naturalisation changes

Becoming French through naturalisation means acquiring French nationality with the rights and duties that come with it. The right to vote in every election, access to certain public sector jobs, free movement with a French passport, but also the duties of any citizen: obeying the law, contributing to public spending, taking part in the defence of the country should circumstances require it. It is a decision of the administration, not an automatic right: even when the conditions are met, an application can be refused by a reasoned decision.

The main conditions

Several conditions add up: residing in France lawfully and habitually for a certain number of years — often five, with reductions depending on the situation —, having stable resources, not having been convicted of certain offences, and demonstrating your assimilation into the French community. That last condition covers two separate checks: a French level proved separately, and knowledge of the principles, the history and the workings of French society, now assessed by the civic exam.

Where the civic exam fits in

Since 1 January 2026, the civic exam has been a condition for naturalisation, just as it is for the resident card and the multi-year residence permit. Its format is identical for all three applications: forty questions in forty-five minutes, with a threshold of thirty-two correct answers. What changes for naturalisation is the calibration: the question bank is the widest and the scenario questions the most nuanced. Passing this exam never exempts you from the language test, which remains a separate assessment.

Naturalisation, declaration, reinstatement

Naturalisation by decree is not the only way to become French, and confusing the routes wastes time. Acquisition by declaration concerns in particular the spouse of a French national after several years of marriage and shared life, or certain children born and raised in France: the procedure is different and does not depend on a discretionary decision of the same kind. Reinstatement is for people who once held French nationality and lost it. Finally, a child born in France to foreign parents may become French at majority, subject to residence conditions. Identifying your route before assembling a file avoids pointless steps; the online public service and the préfecture can advise on this point.

Worth remembering

• Naturalisation is granted by decision of the administration, never as of right.
• It requires residence, resources, no relevant convictions, and assimilation.
• The civic exam has been part of it since 2026; the language test remains separate.

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