French Republic
French Republic settlement & citizenship
France lets Talent Passport holders build long residence toward a 10-year resident card and, separately, naturalisation. Naturalisation is discretionary and commonly uses a 5-year residence base rule.
Last reviewed 27 June 2026.
Stages — from visa to passport
- 1
Passeport talent
Up to 4 years, renewable
- Who qualifies
- Qualified employees, researchers, founders, Blue Card holders, and other Service-Public talent categories.
- Key gate
- Maintain the qualifying contract/category and renew before expiry.
- 2
10-year resident card
10-year renewable residence card
- Who qualifies
- Long-term residents meeting French residence, integration, and category-specific rules.
- Key gate
- Normally build 5 years of continuous legal residence and meet integration/absence requirements.
- 3
French citizenship by naturalisation
Usually after 5 years residence, with statutory reductions in some cases
- Who qualifies
- Foreign nationals resident in France who meet residence, integration, character, and language requirements.
- Key gate
- Service-Public lists 5 years or more of residence as the standard naturalisation route for foreign-born residents living in France.
Physical presence
Naturalisation usually starts from 5 years residence in France; resident-card and citizenship assessments also consider continuity and integration.
Language level
French language evidence is required for long-term residence/naturalisation; B1 is the normal citizenship benchmark.
Test / oath
Naturalisation includes administrative assessment/interview; no simple points test is used.
Dual citizenship
France permits dual and multiple citizenship.
Typical full timeline
Talent Passport -> 10-year resident card around year 5 -> naturalisation from around 5 years where integration and language criteria are met.
Primary source
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get French citizenship by naturalisation after first arriving in France?
Talent Passport -> 10-year resident card around year 5 -> naturalisation from around 5 years where integration and language criteria are met.
How many days a year must I physically be in France to qualify?
Naturalisation usually starts from 5 years residence in France; resident-card and citizenship assessments also consider continuity and integration.
What language level do I need for French citizenship by naturalisation?
French language evidence is required for long-term residence/naturalisation; B1 is the normal citizenship benchmark.
Does France allow dual citizenship?
France permits dual and multiple citizenship.