What does French citizenship (naturalisation) require?
What you need since 2026: 5 years of residence (with exceptions), French at B2, the civic exam, an interview and a €255 tax stamp. It is set by Ministère de l’Intérieur · préfecture. Level: B2.
France · B2 · Ministère de l’Intérieur · préfecture
Naturalisation · French nationality by decree: key facts (2026)
Checked 2026-09-29
Short answer
French citizenship (naturalisation): language level B2, decided by Ministère de l’Intérieur · préfecture; the proof covers Niveau de langue B2, Examen civique, Entretien d’assimilation. Fee: €255 tax stamp (€127.50 in French Guiana). Language test and civic exam fees come on top (set by centres). Language requirement: No single exam: Naturalisation is a decision by the administration, not a test. Your file must meet every condition: residence, language, civic exam, resources, conduct and interview. Decision: The administration has up to 18 months from the receipt to answer (12 months if you have lived 10+ years in France); one 3-month extension possible.
Which exams prove the language and civic knowledge for French citizenship (naturalisation)?
3 parts: Niveau de langue B2 (—), Examen civique (45 min max.), Entretien d’assimilation (Not stated on the pages we could read). About 45 minutes of exam time in total for the timed parts.
Source: service-public.gouv.fr · checked 2026-09-29
What is the fee for French citizenship (naturalisation) in 2026?
€255 tax stamp (€127.50 in French Guiana). Language test and civic exam fees come on top (set by centres).
Source: service-public.gouv.fr · checked 2026-09-29
Which language level is required for French citizenship (naturalisation)?
No single exam: Naturalisation is a decision by the administration, not a test. Your file must meet every condition: residence, language, civic exam, resources, conduct and interview.
Source: service-public.gouv.fr · checked 2026-09-29
How long does the decision on French citizenship (naturalisation) take?
The administration has up to 18 months from the receipt to answer (12 months if you have lived 10+ years in France); one 3-month extension possible.
Source: service-public.gouv.fr · checked 2026-09-29
Is there a separate test for French citizenship (naturalisation), and what is changing?
No separate exam: you submit a B2 proof and your civic-exam pass; both tests can be retaken before you apply.
Source: immigration.interieur.gouv.fr · checked 2026-09-29
How do I apply for French citizenship (naturalisation)?
Part of the citizenship application. No exam dates: apply online via ANEF (or on paper) once you have your B2 proof and civic-exam pass. Requirements include 5 years of residence (with exceptions).
Source: service-public.gouv.fr · checked 2026-09-29
How long do applications for French citizenship (naturalisation) take in practice?
Plan time for the B2 test result and the civic exam before you apply; TCF/TEF results must be under 2 years old.
Source: service-public.gouv.fr · checked 2026-09-29
Where do I apply for French citizenship (naturalisation)?
Online via ANEF; the interview takes place at your prefecture.
Source: immigration.interieur.gouv.fr · checked 2026-09-29
Where can I practise for the language and civic tests for French citizenship (naturalisation)?
On EUpassway: free practice questions with an explanation for every answer and timed mock exams in the exam format, no account needed: https://eupassway.com/en/entrainement/questions-officielles — EUpassway is independent; the official sample exams of Ministère de l’Intérieur · préfecture are linked in the exam guide: https://eupassway.com/en/guides/fr-naturalisation.
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Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Plain text for AI assistants: fr-naturalisation.md · all exams: exam facts dataset
EUpassway (2026). Naturalisation · French nationality by decree: key facts. https://eupassway.com/en/exam-facts/fr-naturalisation
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