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La Naturalisation française par Décret : Des règles strictes et une exigence accrue de conformité

May 28, 2025

La Naturalisation française par Décret : Des règles strictes et une exigence accrue de conformité

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  • FranceFrance

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Géraldine Renaudière

Senior Manager

Paris, France

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[email protected]

T:+33 1 86 65 70 33

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Géraldine Renaudière

Senior Manager

Paris, France

Email

[email protected]

T:+33 1 86 65 70 33

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  • Paris

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Photo of Geraldine Renaudiere

Géraldine Renaudière

Senior Manager

Paris, France

Email

[email protected]

T:+33 1 86 65 70 33

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  • Paris

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By: Géraldine Renaudière

Le 2 mai 2025, le ministre de l'Intérieur français, Bruno Retailleau, a dévoilé une nouvelle circulaire visant à renforcer les conditions d'accès à la nationalité française dite « par décret ».  Cette circulaire, bien que n'introduisant pas de modifications législatives, oriente les préfets vers une application plus restrictive des critères existants, marquant ainsi un tournant significatif dans la politique migratoire française.

Qui est éligible à la naturalisation par décret ?

La naturalisation par décret concerne les étrangers qui ne peuvent se prévaloir de la nationalité française par déclaration (au titre du mariage ou d’un lien de parenté avec une personne française).

Mises à jour récentes : une interprétation plus stricte des conditions de naturalisation

La nouvelle circulaire, qui s’inscrit dans la lignée de notes et de circulaires préconisant déjà un examen plus rigoureux des naturalisations, entend imposer un cadre strict et homogène à toutes les préfectures.

Le préambule le rappelle en ces termes : « la naturalisation n’est pas un droit, mais une décision souveraine du Gouvernement ».

Une appréciation plus stricte des critères pour l'obtention de la nationalité française :

La circulaire insiste sur trois axes principaux :

Le respect des lois françaises : tout candidat ayant été en situation irrégulière (ex. une interdiction de territoire non exécutée ou un arrêté d’expulsion non abrogé), même par le passé, verra en principe sa demande déclarée irrecevable. Il en va de même en cas de condamnation pour certains crimes ou délits particulièrement graves. Tout comportement jugé « répréhensible » ou non conforme aux « règles et valeurs fondamentales de la société française » est susceptible d’entraîner un ajournement, voire un rejet, de la demande de naturalisation.

La maîtrise de la langue française et l’adhésion aux valeurs républicaines : le  niveau exigé en français passera de B1 à B2, au plus tard en janvier 2026, y compris pour les demandes de déclaration émanant de conjoints de français. Un examen civique évaluant la connaissance de l'histoire, de la culture et des institutions françaises aura également lieu. Jusqu’à présent, les connaissances théoriques du candidat étaient simplement évaluées à l’oral lors d'un entretien d'assimilation.

Une autonomie financière pérenne : le candidat devra justifier d'une insertion professionnelle avérée et stable au cours des cinq dernières années. Le parcours global des salariés sera scrupuleusement examiné à la date d’examen de la demande. Celle-ci pourra ainsi être écartée si les ressources du candidat proviennent majoritairement d’aides sociales (ou de l’étranger).

Le ministre invite toutefois les préfets à tenir compte de la situation individuelle des candidats présentant un « potentiel élevé » pour le pays, notamment les étudiants de « haut niveau » et les professionnels titulaires de titres « passeport talent ».

L’assimilation à la société française,

Bien que la circulaire ne modifie pas le cadre légal, elle oriente les préfets vers une interprétation plus rigoureuse des critères d'octroi de la nationalité. En mettant l'accent sur l'adhésion aux valeurs républicaines et l'intégration économique, le ministre élève le niveau d’exigence de l’assimilation des candidats à la communauté nationale.

Quels défis pour les candidats à la naturalisation

Les demandeurs devront désormais préparer leur dossier avec une attention (encore plus) accrue, en veillant à fournir des preuves solides de leur intégration, de l’exemplarité de leur comportement et de leur stabilité financière. Il est fortement conseillé aux candidats de se familiariser avec les exigences de la nouvelle circulaire et de se préparer aux entretiens en préfecture, en suivant des formations linguistiques et civiques adaptées.

Comment Fragomen Paris peut vous aider dans votre demande de naturalisation

Fragomen Paris est à votre disposition pour vous accompagner et vous orienter dans vos démarches d’acquisition de la nationalité française, tout au long du processus. Notre équipe d’experts vous accompagne dans la préparation rigoureuse de votre dossier, vous fournit des conseils stratégiques et veille à ce que les candidats restent informés des évolutions législatives et réglementaires en la matière.

Besoin d'en savoir plus ?

Pour toute question relative à la procédure de naturalisation en France, veuillez contacter Géraldine Renaudière à l'adresse [email protected].


French Naturalization by Decree: Stricter Rules and How to Stay Compliant

 

On May 2, 2025, French Minister of Interior, Bruno Retailleau, unveiled a new circular aimed at strengthening the conditions for access to French nationality called "by Decree." This circular, while not introducing any legislative changes, directs prefects toward a more restrictive application of existing criteria, thus marking a significant shift in French immigration policy.

Who Is Eligible for Naturalization by Decree? 

Naturalization by Decree is limited to foreigners who cannot claim French nationality by “Declaration” (i.e. through marriage or a family relationship with a French person).

Recent Updates: Stricter Interpretation of Naturalization Conditions

The new circular, in line with previous notes and circulars already calling for a more rigorous review of naturalizations, aims to impose a strict and consistent framework on all prefectures.

The preamble reiterates this principle in these terms: "Naturalization is not a right, but a sovereign decision of the Government."

The circular emphasizes three main areas:

Compliance with French law: Any applicant who has been in an irregular situation (e.g., an unenforced entry ban or an unrepealed deportation order), even in the past, will as a rule have their application declared inadmissible. The same applies to convictions for certain particularly serious crimes or offenses. Any behavior deemed "reprehensible" or inconsistent with the "fundamental rules and values ​​of French society" is likely to result in a postponement or even rejection of the naturalization application.

Fluency in the French language and adherence to republican values: The required level of French will increase from B1 to B2, no later than January 2026, including for declaration applications from spouses of French citizens. A civic exam assessing knowledge of French history, culture, and institutions will also be administered. Until now, the candidate's theoretical knowledge was simply assessed orally during an assimilation interview.

Sustainable financial autonomy: Candidates must demonstrate proven and stable professional integration over the past five years. The overall career path of employees will be carefully examined at the time the application is reviewed. The application may therefore be rejected if the candidate's resources come mainly from social assistance (or from abroad).

The Minister, however, invites prefects to consider carefully the individual situation of candidates showing "high potential" for the country, particularly "high-level" students and professionals holding "talent passport" permits.

Assimilation into French society

Although the circular does not modify the legal framework, it directs prefects towards a more rigorous interpretation of the criteria for granting nationality. By emphasizing adhesion to republican values ​​and economic integration, the minister raises the level of requirement for candidates' assimilation into the national community.

Challenges for Naturalization Candidates

Applicants will now have to prepare their applications (even more) carefully, ensuring they provide solid evidence of their integration, exemplary behavior, and financial stability. Applicants are strongly advised to familiarize themselves with the requirements of the new circular and prepare for interviews at the prefecture by taking appropriate language and civic training.

How Fragomen Paris Can Help with Naturalization Application 

Fragomen France's Private Practice is well-equipped to help and guide clients throughout the French naturalization process. The team assists with the rigorous preparation of files, provides strategic advice and ensures applicants remain informed of any legislative and regulatory developments in this area.

Need to know more?

For questions related to naturalization process in France, please contact Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière at [email protected].

This blog was published on 28 May 2025, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

Country / Territory

  • FranceFrance

Related contacts

Photo of Geraldine Renaudiere

Géraldine Renaudière

Senior Manager

Paris, France

Email

[email protected]

T:+33 1 86 65 70 33

Related offices

  • Paris

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Geraldine Renaudiere

Géraldine Renaudière

Senior Manager

Paris, France

Email

[email protected]

T:+33 1 86 65 70 33

Related offices

  • Paris

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Geraldine Renaudiere

Géraldine Renaudière

Senior Manager

Paris, France

Email

[email protected]

T:+33 1 86 65 70 33

Related offices

  • Paris

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

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