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The steps to obtain French nationality
The aim is to know the steps to obtain French nationality.
Key points of the sheet
- There are two main procedures to apply for French nationality. They concern adult foreigners in France.
- The first is naturalisation by decree, online on the ANEF. You need at least 5 years of residence in France, you must meet the conditions, and the State must accept the application.
- The second is the declaration, at the naturalisation platform in the prefecture (préfecture). It concerns marriage with a French person, or ascendants, brothers and sisters of French people.
- To become French, you must adhere to the essential principles and values of the Republic. This is checked during the assimilation interview, organised at the prefecture.
- To get information, you can go online. For example on service-public.fr, on the website of the nearest prefecture or on the ANEF website.
- If you have difficulty online, you can get help. Call the ANTS citizen contact centre on 0806 001 620, or go to a digital reception point (PAN) in the prefecture.
- First, do a simulation on service-public.fr to know which supporting documents you need. Then, submit a complete file on the ANEF for a decree, or at the prefecture for a declaration.
Words to know
- naturalisation
- For naturalisation by decree, the application is made online on the ANEF, after at least 5 years of residence in France.
- declaration (déclaration)
- It is a procedure at the prefecture, in case of marriage with a French person or for an ascendant, brother or sister of a French person.
- assimilation interview (entretien d'assimilation)
- It is an interview at the prefecture that checks adherence to the essential principles and values of the Republic.
- ANEF (digital administration for foreigners in France)
- It is the Digital Administration for Foreigners in France, a website to get information and apply online.
- digital reception point (PAN) (point d’accueil numérique (PAN))
- It is a place in the prefecture where you can go if you have difficulty with online procedures.
- supporting documents (pièces justificatives)
- They are the documents to add to the file. A simulation on service-public.fr shows which ones are needed.
Test yourself: 3 questions
For naturalisation by decree, what is the minimum number of years of residence in France?
In French, the language of the exam: Pour la naturalisation par décret, combien d'années de résidence en France faut-il au moins ?
Naturalisation by decree is possible after at least 5 years of residence in France.
What does the assimilation interview at the prefecture check?
In French, the language of the exam: Que vérifie l'entretien d'assimilation à la préfecture ?
Adherence to the essential principles and values of the Republic is checked during the assimilation interview.
Where do you submit the file for naturalisation by decree?
In French, the language of the exam: Où dépose-t-on le dossier de naturalisation par décret ?
The complete file for naturalisation by decree is submitted on the ANEF website.
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More in this topic (Administrative procedures)
- Everyday formalities such as domiciliation (administrative address)
- Everyday formalities such as civil liability insurance
- Everyday procedures such as the driving licence (1/2)
Source
Sheet “Les démarches d’accès à la nationalité française” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.