France Tightens Citizenship Requirements for Foreign Nationals

The French government has introduced a significant change in its immigration policy by tightening the criteria for granting citizenship to foreign nationals.

This move, announced by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau during a visit to Créteil in southern Paris, reflects France’s push to reinforce national values and ensure that becoming French carries both meaning and responsibility.

Retailleau stressed that citizenship should not be granted automatically or casually. Instead, it should be earned through clear evidence of respect for the law, genuine integration into society, and commitment to the country’s values. 

He emphasized that being French is not only about legal status or ancestry, but also about a strong sense of national belonging and civic duty.

The new directive will focus on several areas. One of the most important is compliance with the law. 

Applicants who have previously been in the country without legal status will face rejection, as authorities aim to ensure that citizenship is granted only to those who have respected French legal standards.

Another area of focus is the ability to speak and understand the French language fluently. The government plans to raise the difficulty level of the oral language test to better evaluate applicants’ communication skills. 

In addition, starting in January 2026, a new exam will be introduced to assess applicants’ understanding of French history and civic culture. This change is intended to ensure that new citizens are familiar with the country’s heritage and democratic values.

Financial independence will also become a key part of the evaluation. Authorities will verify that applicants have sufficient income and are not dependent on social welfare. This measure aims to promote economic integration and reduce reliance on state support.

Retailleau, a prominent member of the right-wing Republicans party and a likely candidate in the next presidential election, also distributed a five-page directive to regional governors. 

The directive includes a charter of the rights and responsibilities of French citizens, reinforcing the idea that citizenship comes with obligations as well as privileges.

Earlier this year, France made headlines by introducing a new regulation to regularize certain undocumented migrants. However, this new shift in tone highlights a firmer approach, especially when it comes to long-term integration and national identity.

In 2024, more than 66,000 people acquired French citizenship through naturalization, marriage, ancestry, or other legal channels. This represents an 8.3 percent increase compared to 2023, which the Ministry of Interior attributes to delays caused by technical challenges the year before.