French Citizenship by Investment 2025: Benefits, Pros, and Cons

Benefits

What Are the Benefits of a French Passport?

Obtaining French citizenship through investment or other means is not only feasible but also highly advantageous. A French passport offers numerous benefits, including:

The ability to reside in France or any other EU country without any restrictions.

Unrestricted access to all Schengen Area countries.

Access to government services, including healthcare, education, and other public services.

The ability to easily open bank accounts and make investments.

Entitlement to social benefits available to EU citizens, and more.

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How to

What Are the Ways to Obtain French Citizenship?

Before discussing the procedures for obtaining French citizenship, it’s essential to understand who has the right to become a French citizen and under what conditions. There are several grounds for acquiring citizenship, including:

French Citizenship by Naturalization

One of the primary methods of obtaining a French passport is through naturalization. This process is available to a broad range of individuals. For example, the following groups can apply:

Students who have studied at a French university for at least two years and obtained a diploma.
Professionals whose skills are important to France. During the coronavirus pandemic, for instance, foreign healthcare workers used this option due to working in French clinics.
Individuals in science, culture, sports, or those who have worked in the economic or civil sectors.

To take advantage of this naturalization option, you must have lived in France for at least five years and have residency status. However, there is an accelerated naturalization process that reduces the timeframe to two years. Applicants who qualify for this include:

Refugees with official status.
Citizens of French-speaking countries who have studied for at least five years in their home country or those who speak French at a B1 level or higher.
Individuals who have served in the French army.
People who have provided exceptional services to France.

It's important to note that residency in France is the key criterion. For the years to count toward citizenship, you must reside in France for at least 183 days each year and submit an annual tax return. The tax declaration is a mandatory requirement for obtaining citizenship by naturalization; without it, obtaining a passport through this method is impossible.

French Citizenship Through Marriage

One of the most common ways to become a French citizen is by marrying a French citizen. The right to apply for citizenship arises after four years of marriage, provided that the couple has not divorced and the French resident's spouse has maintained residency status in France. If, before applying, the foreign spouse has not resided in France for three years, the citizenship right arises only after five years of marriage.

Citizenship by Birth or Descent

Children born in France automatically receive citizenship when they reach adulthood, regardless of whether their parents are French citizens. However, such children must have lived in France for at least five years from the age of 11. Additionally, individuals can acquire citizenship by descent. This right is granted to foreigners, whether they have lived in France or not, as long as at least one parent has French citizenship.

Citizenship Based on Military Service

Another category eligible for French citizenship is military personnel. Those who have served for at least three years in the French Foreign Legion are eligible to apply. French citizenship can be granted to soldiers aged between 18 and 40, regardless of their nationality.

Is It Possible to Obtain French Citizenship by Investment?

One of the most popular ways to obtain French citizenship is through investment. Formally, France does not have a “Golden Passport” program like some other countries, where one can become a citizen by investing a certain amount in the economy. Therefore, it is not possible to “buy” French citizenship.

However, France does offer a residence-by-investment program. Consequently, if you live and work in France for five years, you have the basis for applying for French citizenship through naturalization.

Passeport Talent

What is Passeport Talent?

Passeport Talent is a special program in France designed to allow talented professionals to obtain residence permits. It was created to attract individuals who can contribute to the country’s economy.

Passeport Talent is essentially a temporary residence permit. It is issued for a period ranging from 90 days to 4 years, with the possibility of extension. To apply for it, one must contact the prefecture in the region where they plan to live and work. This application should be submitted no later than 90 days after entering France.

Who Can Obtain Passeport Talent?

The Passeport Talent program is available to a wide range of individuals. It includes the following categories of people:

Investors. Passeport Talent is available to those who intend to invest funds directly into the French economy. This may include direct investment in the capital of a company, providing loans within an international group, or reinvesting income. Investors can obtain a residence permit valid for up to 4 years with the option to extend it. The proof of the investments must be provided.
Entrepreneurs. Passeport Talent is available to individuals who wish to establish a business in France or buy an existing one. Residence permits are primarily granted to financially independent individuals with a solid business plan showing a high potential for return on investment. Applications from equity investors may also be considered, especially for those restructuring struggling enterprises. A minimum investment of €30,000 is required. Applicants must have at least 5 years of entrepreneurial experience or hold a master’s degree in a relevant field. The residence permit is valid for 4 years.
Highly Qualified Professionals. France offers the Passeport Talent program to individuals who have a European-level degree or at least 5 years of work experience in a particular field. The application requires an invitation from a company where the applicant will be employed. The employment contract must be at least 12 months long, and the salary must be 1.5 times the national minimum wage or higher.
Seconded Employees of International Institutions. These include individuals coming to France for work exchanges or to work at a French branch of a company. The minimum work contract is 3 months, and the salary must exceed the national minimum wage by at least 1.8 times. The residence permit is issued for the duration specified in the secondment letter.
Researchers. Foreign nationals can obtain Passeport Talent if they have at least a master’s degree and are coming to France for educational or scientific purposes. An invitation from an accredited institution accepting the researcher is required. The authorization is valid for the duration of the activity, as stated in the document authorizing the foreign national’s educational or scientific work.

Documents

What Documents are Required to Obtain French Citizenship?

The package of required documents includes the following:

Proof of identity.
Document confirming your citizenship. This could be a birth certificate, for example.
Two recent photos.
A copy of your residence permit.
Document proving your place of residence. For example, this could be a utility bill.
Document confirming your marital status. If you are married, you will need to provide a marriage certificate. If you are divorced, provide a divorce certificate.
Financial documents. You should confirm that your income is sufficient to sustain your living in France.
Criminal record certificate.
Additional documents may be requested on an individual basis.

How to Obtain French Citizenship?

So, how do you become a French citizen? The process typically looks like this:

Submit the documents with notarized translations.
The French commission verifies the documentation.
If the information you provided is found to be false, your citizenship application will be denied. You may also be rejected if you have been convicted for more than six months, banned from entry, or deported from France in the past.
After passing the verification, you will be scheduled for an interview.
After the interview, the decision-making stage follows. The law gives 18 months for the commission to make a decision regarding your citizenship. This period may be extended by an additional 3 months if there are valid reasons. The commission must inform you of the reasons if a negative decision is made.
If your citizenship application is approved, you will receive a notification by mail.
France also publishes the naturalization document on the official French Government website – Legifrance.

The citizenship process does not involve additional fees, except for the cost of the tax stamp – 55 euros.

Our Services

All the Necessary Services for Citizenship Application by Lawtter Solutions

Lawtter Solutions offers clients comprehensive services for obtaining residence permits or French citizenship. Our specialists have the necessary expertise and experience, and we constantly monitor all legislative changes.
At the initial stage, we offer a free consultation where you will get answers to all your questions and learn about the key steps and requirements. Then, we assist in preparing the necessary documents and submitting them to the appropriate authorities. We help you with the interview process and provide complete legal support throughout the entire process. We will guide you through every necessary step to ensure you achieve your goal and obtain French citizenship.

French Citizenship