Exam overview

French naturalization is not a multiple-choice exam — it is a citizenship assimilation interview (entretien d'assimilation). You meet a case officer at the préfecture for a structured one-on-one conversation (typically 1–2 hours) that assesses your assimilation into French society, history, and republican values. There is no fixed pass score; the officer makes an overall judgment. The questions in this app are an unofficial reconstruction of common interview topics based on the Livret du citoyen (citizen booklet).

Eligibility

(As of 2026; subject to change)

• Standard: 5+ years of legal residence (carte de résident or equivalent)
• Reduced track (2 years residence):
  • Holders of a French higher-education master's degree or above
  • Nationals of a Francophone country
  • French military service
  • Other special cases (refugees, exceptional service)
• Age 18+ (minors follow the parent's procedure)
• Stable employment and income (proof of social and economic integration)
• No serious criminal record
• Assimilation into French society and republican values

Language requirements (CEFR):

• Current: B1 French
• B2 from 1 January 2026 (Law of 26 January 2024, Loi pour contrôler l'immigration, améliorer l'intégration; effective date and details may change)
• Accepted tests: TCF IRN, DELF B1/B2, SCE (Sorbonne) — certified separately from the interview
• Some education- or age-based exemptions exist (ask your préfecture)

Interview format

• In-person at your local préfecture (varies by region)
• Typically 1–2 hours, structured dialogue with the officer
• Main topics:
  • French history and geography
  • Government structure and institutions
  • Laïcité (secularism)
  • Gender equality and republican values
  • Your personal assimilation (work, community, children's schooling)
• No multiple-choice test, no fixed pass score
• The interview report is sent with your file to the Ministry of the Interior

Fees

(As of 2026; subject to change)

• Interview itself: free (préfecture)
• Stamp duty (timbre fiscal): about €55 (paid with the naturalization application)
• Language test fees (separate): TCF/DELF roughly €100–150

How to apply

1. Check eligibility on service-public.fr
2. Pass the language test (TCF IRN, DELF, etc.) and obtain the certificate
3. Submit your naturalization request (décret de naturalisation) and supporting documents (residence, income, criminal record certificate, etc.) to your préfecture
4. Pay the €55 stamp duty
5. Receive an interview appointment from the préfecture

Retake policy

• If your interview or application is refused, you can normally reapply after 6–12 months
• The waiting period depends on the reason for refusal
• A new application requires resubmitting all documents and fees

After passing

1. Interview + file approved → forwarded to the Ministry of the Interior
2. Décret de naturalisation issued → published in the Journal Officiel
3. The publication date is your official citizenship date
4. Citizenship certificate sent by mail
5. You can apply for a French national ID card (CNI) and passport

Official resources

• Livret du citoyen (free PDF): immigration.interieur.gouv.fr
• Naturalization procedure: service-public.fr
• Eligibility self-check: service-public.fr

Notes

• No public question bank exists — interview questions vary by officer. This app's questions are an unofficial reconstruction based on the Livret du citoyen.
• Laïcité is a core topic — study it carefully.
• Gender equality and republican values come up frequently.
• Be ready to describe your own assimilation (job, community life, children's school, etc.) in concrete terms.
• The B2 requirement begins 1 January 2026 — check whether earlier B1 certificates are still recognized under the implementing rules.

FAQ

Are these questions official? No. They are an unofficial reconstruction based on the Livret du citoyen and common interview topics. In the real interview, what matters is answering from your own situation and views.

Is there a fixed pass score? No. The officer makes an overall assessment of your assimilation.

Can I be exempt from the language test? Some exemptions exist based on education (e.g., French higher-education degree) or age. Ask your local préfecture for details.

Can I keep my original nationality? France allows dual citizenship, so French law does not require you to renounce your other nationality. Check your home country's rules separately, since some countries revoke citizenship upon foreign naturalization.