French naturalisation by decree: the conditions you must meet in 2026
To apply for naturalisation by decree in 2026, Service-Public asks for: age 18 (you may file from 17), normally 5 years of residence in France, French at level B2 spoken and written, a pass in the civic exam, stable and sufficient income, a compatible criminal record, a valid residence permit, and assimilation checked at the prefecture.
Sources: Service-Public, sheet F2213 (checked 16 July 2026), sheet F11926 on the French language level (checked 1 January 2026) and the civic exam announcement (18 December 2025), all read again on 24 October 2026. Hexaciv is not an official site and gives no legal advice: only the prefecture decides whether your file is admissible. The official pages are in French.
The conditions, one by one
| Condition | What Service-Public says | What to check in your case |
|---|---|---|
| Age | You must be 18 to be naturalised; you can file from 17 | Your date of birth |
| Residence | At least 5 years of residence in France. 2 years are enough if you hold a diploma from a French higher-education institution after 2 years of study, if you can render important services to France given your skills and talents, or if you have an exceptional integration record. Some situations need no minimum period | Proof of residence, year by year |
| Centre of your interests | You must live in France when the decree is signed, which means your material interests (notably professional) and family ties are in France. If your spouse or children live abroad, naturalisation may be refused | Job, housing, family |
| Language | B2 spoken and written; a French diploma or a TCF or TEF pass certificate issued less than 2 years ago | The date on your certificate |
| Civic exam | A pass is required, before you file the application | Your pass certificate |
| Income | "Des revenus stables et suffisants" (stable and sufficient income) for you and your tax household | Payslips, tax notices |
| Criminal record | An unsuspended prison sentence of 6 months or more in France, or a conviction for certain serious offences, is a bar, unless you have been rehabilitated or the conviction is excluded from bulletin no. 2 of your record | Your criminal record extract |
| Residence permit | A valid residence permit when you file. EEA and Swiss nationals do not need one | Your card's expiry date |
| Assimilation | Checked by the civic exam and an interview at the prefecture | Your interview at the prefecture: originals, citizen's booklet, charter |
This list summarises the official sheets and is not exhaustive. Special cases (refugees, soldiers, French speakers by origin, exceptional services) are detailed on sheet F2213. The sheet also says to be "de bonnes vie et mœurs", of good character, which notably means no acts against public order.
The three conditions that most often need advance work
Language, the civic exam and residence are the ones you prepare ahead, because each needs a dated document.
B2 French. Sheet F11926 sets the level at B2 of the European framework (CEFR), spoken and written. It is proved by a French diploma at the right level or by a TCF or TEF pass certificate issued less than 2 years ago, from France Éducation international or the Paris CCI. If your certificate is older, it no longer counts.
The civic exam. 40 questions, 45 minutes, 32 correct answers to pass. Service-Public says it must be passed before you file, and that the pass certificate has no expiry date. There is a "naturalisation" mention with its own list of questions: see the exam format and which mention to take.
Residence. The 5 years are proved document by document. If you think the 2-year rule applies to you, check on sheet F2213 that your diploma or record meets the condition before you rely on it.
What about naturalisation through marriage?
It is a different procedure. Marriage to a French citizen opens acquisition by declaration, with its own conditions. The Service-Public announcement lists naturalisation and multi-year residence permits as the cases that need the civic exam, and does not name acquisition by declaration. We found no sentence that settles it either way, so ask your prefecture. We do not cover this procedure on this page.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
The fiscal stamp costs €255 according to Service-Public (€127.50 in French Guiana). You file online. The administration has at most 18 months from the issue of the receipt to answer, reduced to 12 months if you have lived in France habitually for at least 10 years when you receive the receipt. These are maximum periods and promise no decision. Service-Public also warns that private websites sell paid help with nationality applications: the official procedure does not need them.
Test yourself: 3 questions
What French level does Service-Public require for naturalisation by decree?
Right answer: B2 spoken and written, according to Service-Public sheet F11926.
From what age can you file a naturalisation application?
Right answer: 17, but you must be 18 to be naturalised (sheet F2213).
How long can a TCF or TEF certificate be used for the file?
Right answer: issued less than 2 years ago, according to Service-Public. The civic exam pass certificate, by contrast, has no expiry date.
Frequently asked questions
What are the conditions to be naturalised French in 2026? Be 18, normally have 5 years of residence, have B2 French, have passed the civic exam, have stable and sufficient income, have a compatible criminal record, hold a valid residence permit and be assimilated into the French community.
Do I really need 5 years of residence? It is the rule in principle. Service-Public says it can come down to 2 years with a French higher-education diploma, important services to France or an exceptional integration record.
Is the civic exam compulsory for naturalisation? Yes, you must pass it before you file the application for naturalisation by decree.
Which diploma or test proves B2? A TCF or TEF certificate less than 2 years old, or a diploma attesting B2, according to Service-Public sheet F11926.
How much does the application cost? The fiscal stamp is €255 according to Service-Public (sheet F2213, checked 16 July 2026).
Sources
- Service-Public, Naturalisation par décret (F2213), checked 16 July 2026, read 24 October 2026: age, residence, income, criminal record, cost, time limits.
- Service-Public, Diplôme ou attestation de niveau de français (F11926), checked 1 January 2026, read 24 October 2026: level B2, TCF and TEF under 2 years old.
- Service-Public, Un nouvel examen civique, 18 December 2025, read 24 October 2026: exam required before the application.
The civic exam is one of the conditions. Practise in real conditions before you file.
Take the free naturalisation mock exam (40 questions, 45 minutes)