5 years in France, a CDI in hand, kids going to a French school - and you’ve decided to apply for citizenship. Sounds simple enough: gather the papers, submit to the prefecture, wait. But one guy shared how his dossier got sent back three times - first the birth certificate had no apostille, then the diploma translation was done by a non-sworn translator, and the third time his criminal record certificate had expired while he was collecting everything else. The result: 8 extra months and 300 euros in repeat translations. So you don’t end up on the same path, let’s break down the entire naturalization process from start to finish.
Who can apply for naturalization in France¶
Naturalization (naturalisation par décret) means getting French citizenship by presidential decree. Unlike automatic acquisition through birth or marriage, you need to prove you’re integrated into French society.
Core requirements¶
- 5 years of legal residence in France at the time of application. Counted from the date of your first titre de séjour (not the temporary protection APS - more on that below)
- Stable income - at least SMIC level (around 1,400 euros net per month for a single person). Income should come primarily from French sources, not from abroad or social benefits
- Professional integration - a CDI for over 1 year or multiple CDDs over the past 2 years. Living mainly on social assistance is a serious obstacle
- Clean criminal record - no convictions in France or your country of origin
- French language at B2 level - as of January 1, 2026, up from B1
- Civic exam (examen civique NAT) - also a new requirement from 2026
When 5 years becomes 2¶
The residency requirement drops to 2 years if you:
- Earned a French Master’s degree or higher
- Rendered “exceptional services” to France (science, sports, culture)
- Successfully completed the CIR integration course (Contrat d’Intégration Républicaine)
For recognized refugees (réfugié status, not temporary protection) - there’s no minimum residency period at all.
What about temporary protection?¶
Here’s the critical point for Ukrainians. The temporary protection APS is not a full titre de séjour. Naturalization requires regular residence status - carte de séjour salarié, vie privée et familiale, passeport talent, or carte de résident.
This means: if you arrived in France in 2022 and have been living on APS until now, the 5-year clock for naturalization hasn’t even started. You first need to switch to a regular titre de séjour, and only then does the countdown begin.
In practice: the first Ukrainians who transitioned from APS to carte de séjour salarié in, say, 2023-2024, will be able to apply for naturalization around 2028-2029. That’s a long horizon - but better to know this now and start preparing early.
What changed in 2026: new requirements¶
Major changes took effect on January 1, 2026 - the so-called Retailleau reform (circulaire Retailleau), which significantly raised the bar.
Language level: B2 instead of B1¶
Previously, B1 was enough for naturalization - an intermediate level, “I can explain the main point.” Now you need B2 - both oral and written. That’s “I can freely discuss complex topics and argue my position.”
How to prove B2:
- DELF B2 or DALF C1/C2 diploma
- A French diploma at Brevet des collèges level or higher
- TCF (Test de connaissance du français) with a B2 result
The DELF B2 exam costs 100 to 150 euros. Preparation takes anywhere from a few months to a year depending on your starting level.
Civic exam (examen civique NAT)¶
This is a new mandatory test for everyone applying for naturalization. The format:
- 40 multiple-choice questions (QCM)
- 45 minutes to complete
- 28 general knowledge questions + 12 situational ones
- You need at least 32 out of 40 (80%) to pass
Topics: French history, Republican values (liberté, égalité, fraternité, laïcité), legal basics, political institutions, EU fundamentals, rules of social life.
The exam is in French. If you’ve passed B2, the language barrier on the civic exam won’t be an issue. But you need to study the content separately.
Free preparation is available at prepacivique.fr or qcmcivique.fr - they have practice tests with official questions.
Full document list for naturalization¶
This is where it gets both interesting and expensive. There are a lot of documents, and a significant portion requires sworn translation.
Documents requiring sworn translation¶
| Document | Translation? | Apostille? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate (copie intégrale) | Yes | Yes | No older than 6 months (for foreign documents) |
| Marriage certificate | Yes | Yes | If married |
| Divorce certificate or court decision | Yes | Yes | If divorced |
| Children’s birth certificates | Yes | Yes | For each child |
| Spouse’s death certificate | Yes | Yes | If widowed |
| Criminal record certificate from Ukraine | Yes | Yes | No older than 3 months |
| Education diploma | Yes | Yes | If using it to reduce the residency period |
Documents that don’t need translation¶
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid titre de séjour (both sides) | Copy |
| Passport | Copies of photo and visa pages |
| 3 photos 3.5×4.5 cm | Biometric, white background |
| Proof of address (under 6 months) | Utility bill, quittance de loyer |
| Last 3 pay slips (bulletins de paie) | Originals |
| Latest avis d’imposition (tax return) | Original |
| Employment contract CDI or CDD | French document |
| Attestation employeur | From your employer |
| DELF B2 certificate or equivalent | Language proof |
| Examen civique NAT certificate | Score of 32/40 or higher |
| Motivation letter | Why you want to become French |
| Timbre fiscal (55 euros) | Administrative fee |
Lettre de motivation - the motivation letter¶
This isn’t a formality. The prefecture reads this letter, and it influences the decision. Write about why France has become your home, how you’ve integrated - work, volunteering, kids in school, language skills, participation in local life. You don’t need a 5-page essay - 1-2 pages of honest text is enough.
Sworn translation of documents: how it works and what it costs¶
All foreign-language documents in a naturalization dossier must be translated by a traducteur assermenté - a sworn translator registered with a French Court of Appeal. A notarized translation from Ukraine, even with an apostille, won’t be accepted.
Sworn translation prices in 2026¶
| Document | Price (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | 30-50 € |
| Marriage / divorce certificate | 30-50 € |
| Criminal record certificate | 30-50 € |
| Diploma (1 page) | 35-60 € |
| Child’s birth certificate | 30-50 € |
| Court decision (per page) | 40-70 € |
For a typical naturalization dossier (birth certificate + marriage + 1-2 children’s certificates + criminal record), translation costs run 150-350 euros. Add a diploma and court decision, and you could be looking at 400-500 euros.
On a forum for Ukrainians in France, one woman wrote: “For naturalization I had 6 documents translated - birth certificates for the whole family, marriage, and the criminal record. Found a translator who offered a package price - 250 euros for everything, instead of 300 if done separately. Took 5 days.” Package discounts are standard practice - always ask.
Where to find a sworn translator¶
- Official directory: annuaire-traducteur-assermente.fr
- For Ukrainians: paris-ua.com
- Embassy of Ukraine: france.mfa.gov.ua
There are about 187 Ukrainian-language sworn translators in France, and in some regions the wait is weeks long. Plan ahead.
ChatsControl can help with a preliminary translation - to understand document contents before visiting a sworn translator, or to prepare a draft that speeds up their work.
Apostille: what needs it and how to get it¶
An apostille is needed on all Ukrainian civil status and education documents. Ukraine and France are both parties to the Hague Convention, so apostilles work between the two countries.
Where to get an apostille in Ukraine:
- Ministry of Justice - birth, marriage, and divorce certificates, court decisions
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs - education documents (diplomas)
- Ministry of Education - certain educational documents
Cost - 68 UAH, timeline - 2-5 business days. If you’re already in France, arrange it through a trusted person in Ukraine or through the consulate.
Important detail: you get the apostille in Ukraine first, then do the sworn translation in France. Not the other way around. The translator translates both the document itself and the apostille.
Step-by-step application process¶
Step 1: Check if you qualify¶
Before collecting documents, make sure you meet the requirements: 5 years of legal residence (with a titre de séjour, not APS), stable income, B2, clean criminal record.
Step 2: Pass the exams¶
First DELF B2 (if you don’t have it yet), then examen civique NAT. Both certificates are needed for the dossier.
Step 3: Collect and translate documents¶
Order the apostille in Ukraine, get the sworn translation done in France. Watch the validity periods - criminal record certificate is valid for 3 months, proof of address for 6 months.
Step 4: Submit the dossier¶
You submit at the prefecture or sous-préfecture of your place of residence. Some prefectures accept online submissions through demarches-simplifiees.fr, but most still require an in-person visit. Book an appointment through the prefecture website.
Step 5: Interview (entretien d’assimilation)¶
After your dossier is reviewed, you’ll be called in for an interview. They’ll ask about your motivation, knowledge of France, future plans. The conversation is in French - it’s essentially a check that you’re genuinely integrated.
Step 6: Wait for the decision¶
The prefecture forwards your dossier to SDANF (Sous-direction de l’accès à la nationalité française) in Nantes. Then you wait.
Timelines and statistics¶
The official processing time is up to 18 months. The real timeline depends on the region:
| Region | Average timeline |
|---|---|
| Île-de-France (Paris) | 18-24 months |
| Major cities (Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse) | 15-18 months |
| Medium and small cities | 10-14 months |
If your dossier is complete and error-free, it’ll be faster. If something’s missing or there are questions, add months for back-and-forth correspondence.
After a positive decision, the decree is published in the Journal Officiel, and you receive an invitation to a naturalization ceremony where you’re given a certificate. With that certificate, you can apply for a French passport.
Common mistakes when applying¶
Applying with APS instead of a titre de séjour. The temporary protection APS is not a valid basis for naturalization. Switch to a regular carte de séjour first.
Translation not by a sworn translator. Even a high-quality translation without the traducteur assermenté stamp goes straight in the bin.
Expired documents. Criminal record certificate - 3 months, proof of address - 6 months, birth certificate (foreign) - 6 months. Collect everything at the same time, don’t stretch it over half a year.
Insufficient language level. B2 is serious. If you passed B1 before 2026, you’ll need to retake it at B2.
Weak motivation letter. “I want to become French because France is a beautiful country” isn’t motivation. Be specific: work, kids, volunteering, ties to the local community.
Income mostly from social benefits. If your main source is CAF, ADA, or RSA, the prefecture will very likely reject your application. You need actual employment.
FAQ¶
How much does naturalization cost in France?¶
The administrative fee (timbre fiscal) is 55 euros for submitting the dossier. Sworn translation of documents runs 150-500 euros depending on quantity. DELF B2 costs 100-150 euros. Apostille is 68 UAH per document. Total budget for the entire process: 400 to 800 euros.
Does time on temporary protection APS count toward naturalization?¶
No. The temporary protection APS is not a regular titre de séjour. The 5-year countdown starts from the moment you receive a regular carte de séjour (salarié, vie privée et familiale, passeport talent, etc.).
What level of French is required for naturalization in 2026?¶
As of January 1, 2026 - B2 on the CEFR scale (previously B1). You need to prove it with DELF B2, DALF C1/C2, or a French diploma at Brevet des collèges level or higher. B2 means “independent user” capable of arguing complex topics.
How do you pass the civic exam (examen civique NAT)?¶
It’s a 40-question multiple-choice test (QCM) with 45 minutes to complete. You need at least 32 out of 40 correct answers (80%). Topics cover French history, Republican values, institutions, and legal basics. You can prepare for free at prepacivique.fr or qcmcivique.fr.
How long is the wait after submitting the dossier?¶
On average 12-18 months. In Île-de-France, up to 24 months. In smaller cities, from 10 months. After submission you’ll receive a récépissé, and your dossier is reviewed by SDANF in Nantes.
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