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For many people, obtaining a long-term visa and moving to France is just the first step on the path to citizenship. Yes, holding a residence permit (titre de séjour) gives you nearly the same rights as French citizens within the country — except for voting and working in public service — but the main advantage of a French passport is visa-free travel to most countries around the world. Moreover, France recognizes dual citizenship, so you won’t need to give up your original passport.
However, the naturalization process in France is quite strict and bureaucratic. Below, we’ll go step by step through how to move from a residence permit to permanent residency and citizenship, what the timelines and requirements are, and what challenges you may face along the way.
Most people begin their journey with a residence permit obtained through a Talent visa (formerly Passeport Talent), a work contract, an entrepreneurial or startup program, or a Visiteur visa as a financially independent resident. If you hold a residence permit in one of the professional Talent categories, your first card is usually issued for four years. Other visa types (employment, student, visitor) typically grant a one-year residence card that must be renewed annually.
During the temporary residence stage, your key task is to maintain your legal status continuously for five years in order to qualify for long-term residence (a 10-year card) or citizenship. These five years are counted from the date your carte de séjour was issued, provided it has been renewed without interruption. It’s crucial not to let your status lapse: even a couple of months of irregular stay due to a missed renewal can reset your residency clock.
It’s also important to comply with the conditions of your permit. For example, Visiteur visa holders must annually confirm sufficient income from abroad, provide proof of housing and health insurance, and refrain from working in France. Holders of work or business visas must maintain their employment or entrepreneurial activity.
While France doesn’t require most categories of immigrants to pass a language test when renewing their residence permit, this requirement will arise later — when applying for permanent residence and citizenship. From the very beginning, it’s worth learning French and integrating into local life — attending language courses, interacting with neighbors, and immersing yourself in the local culture.
After five years of continuous legal residence in France with a valid residence permit, a foreign national becomes eligible to apply for a long-term resident card (carte de résident) valid for ten years. This document is often referred to as a permanent residence card. It confirms your legal status as a permanent resident of France and greatly simplifies your life: you no longer need to renew your permit every year, and you can freely change employers or switch from employment to entrepreneurship without reapplying for a new visa. The 10-year card is renewable — once it expires, it can be extended for another ten years without having to prove your eligibility again. Even if your professional or family situation changes later, your permanent resident status remains valid. The only important rule: you must not leave France for more than three consecutive years, otherwise the prefecture has the right to cancel your card.
However, permanent residency is not granted automatically — you must apply for it at the prefecture and meet several key criteria:
Main requirements for obtaining the carte de résident:
You must prove that you have lived in France continuously for at least five years under valid residence permits. (Citizens of certain former French colonies can apply after three years, but this exemption does not apply to citizens of Russia or most CIS countries.) Prefectures usually ask for copies of your previous cartes de séjour, entry and exit stamps, and other proof of continuous residence.
The law does not specify an exact amount, but the general benchmark is not lower than the French minimum wage (SMIC) per person — in 2025 this is €21,621.60 gross per year. You will typically need to provide tax declarations (avis d’imposition) for the past 3–5 years, an employment contract (CDI), or bank statements proving financial stability. For some residence categories, income requirements may be higher. Prefectures may refuse long-term residency if your income is considered insufficient — in that case, you might be asked to extend your temporary status until your situation improves.
You must provide proof of accommodation (rental contract or property documents) and valid health insurance. For employees, this is usually an attestation from Sécurité sociale; for self-employed or Visiteur visa holders — a private insurance policy.
Currently, a minimum A2 level (basic conversational French) is required for the 10-year card. You can provide a TCF or DELF certificate, or a diploma showing studies in French. From 2026, a new law will raise this requirement to B1 (intermediate). Many immigrants who have postponed learning French are now rushing to prepare for the higher standard.
In addition to the language test, applicants for the 10-year card will need to pass a mandatory 45-minute civic exam consisting of 40 multiple-choice questions about French values, history, political institutions, and culture. The test will be held electronically, and passing requires at least 80% correct answers.
In certain cases, French law allows applicants to obtain the carte de résident in less than five years. For example, holders of the Talent residence status who have contributed to France’s prestige in the intellectual, cultural, scientific, innovative, or athletic fields may apply for citizenship after just two years, provided they demonstrate integration, income, and French language proficiency at B2 level. Spouses of French citizens or parents of French children may apply for permanent residency after three years of residence in France under the appropriate status. They benefit from relaxed conditions — no need to prove income at the SMIC level. It is sufficient to show three years of marriage (or living with a French child) and language skills at A2 level. However, all these conditions must be met simultaneously — for example, if your marriage has lasted three years but you have lived together in France for only one, you are not yet eligible.
It’s important to note that the prefecture makes the final decision on whether to issue a 10-year card. Even if you meet all the formal criteria, approval is not guaranteed. Authorities evaluate your entire profile — your integration, compliance with laws, and overall stability. It’s wise to prepare a well-organized application, include all required documents, and attach a short motivation letter explaining why you plan to continue living in France. Some prefectures also conduct short interviews — usually less formal than those for naturalization — but still worth preparing for. You might be asked about your plans, your use of French in daily life, or your professional situation. In some cases, if your dossier lacks certain elements, the prefecture may simply advise you to reapply in a year or two.
Permanent residency is not the final goal for everyone, but it’s an important milestone. With it, you are protected from deportation, free to change jobs or open a business, and can stay outside France for up to three consecutive years without losing your status. Some people are content to stop at this stage — after all, life in France with permanent residency is almost the same as with citizenship. But for most, it’s only the beginning of the next step — the path toward becoming a French citizen.
French citizenship through naturalization is granted after meeting the basic residency requirement — five years of continuous living in France, similar to the condition for obtaining permanent residence. The countdown begins from the date of your first long-term residence permit, though there are exceptions that can shorten this period. For instance, if you obtained higher education in France (at least two years of study and a French diploma), you may apply for citizenship after two additional years of legal residence in the country. For marriage to a French citizen, the standard waiting period is four years, but if the couple has not lived together in France continuously for at least three years, or if the marriage was registered abroad, the required duration becomes five years. There are also categories exempt from the five-year rule: recognized refugees can apply for citizenship immediately after obtaining their status, and foreigners who have served five years in the French Foreign Legion are also eligible.
However, meeting the time requirement is only part of the process — the state also assesses the applicant’s integration and reliability. Here are the main criteria for naturalization:
In recent years, France has digitalized the naturalization process. Applications are now submitted online via your regional prefecture’s digital platform (listed on the Interior Ministry’s website). After initial review, you’ll be invited for an interview at the prefecture, typically within a few months. During the interview, an immigration officer reviews your original documents and asks questions about your background, motivation, language proficiency, and knowledge of French society. The conversation, held in French and lasting about 20–30 minutes, is the key step in assessing your integration. Be prepared to explain why you want to become a citizen, what you value about France, your job, family, community life, and understanding of the Republic’s principles (for example, who the current president is or what the main national holidays are).
After the interview, your file is transferred to the Ministry of the Interior in Paris, where the longest phase begins — waiting for the decision. Legally, processing can take up to 18 months, but in practice often extends to two years. You can check your application status online, though updates are infrequent. If approved, you’ll receive a letter confirming your French nationality and an invitation to the naturalization ceremony at the prefecture. During this formal event, new citizens swear allegiance to the Republic, sometimes sing La Marseillaise, and receive their certificate of naturalization. You’ll also sign the Charter of Rights and Duties, officially becoming a French citizen. Afterward, obtaining a French passport and national ID card (Carte Nationale d’Identité) is a simple administrative step. The passport fee is €86, while the first issue of the ID card is free.
Don’t lose hope if your request is rejected. Refusals often cite “insufficient integration” or “insufficient resources.” You can reapply after two years, once these issues are resolved. It’s also possible to appeal through the administrative court, though that path is more complex. Remember, naturalization is a privilege, not an entitlement — even if you meet all the criteria, the final decision rests with the French authorities. But if you are well-integrated, financially stable, and committed to French society, your chances of becoming a French citizen are excellent.
The road to citizenship is long and full of fine print. Here are typical challenges immigrants face — and how to avoid them:
Navigating all this alone isn’t easy. The French immigration system has plenty of rules and nuances. Professional immigration consultants can help: clarify requirements, assemble and format documents, book appointments, translate official papers, and prep you for the interview. If you’re unsure about your French, they can conduct a mock interview and walk you through typical questions. If your income situation is atypical, they’ll advise which documents work — and which to avoid.
At Relogate, we provide end-to-end support at every stage — from initial visas and residence permits to permanent residency and citizenship. Get in touch, and we’ll review your case carefully and explain how we can help. Our goal is to make your immigration journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.
