The famous French bureaucracy
As we have now been residents in France for a number of years, we have decided to apply for French nationality. France and the UK both allow dual citizenship so why not apply? It might make our lives easier in the future, for instance, if one day the UK leaves the European Union. Who knows? Better safe than sorry.
While in the process of filling in the paperwork to apply for my French nationality, I paused to admire the sheer number of forms and bits of paper needed… well in excess of thirty, all copied twice and attached to the original…
What is needed to apply?
From needing a police report from the UK to prove there’s no murky past, to three years of business accounts justifying that our family won’t be a burden on the state, and that’s just a start. We need to have lived permanently and continuously in France for 5 years. A birth certificate is required as well as a document justifying the date and place of birth of our father and mother, as well as their marriage if they are married. All documents need to be translated into French by an official translator. Once all the paperwork is gathered, collate the whole lot then go and be interviewed in Vannes to prove your comprehension of the language! After that, a two to three-year wait whilst necessary checks are completed.
It sounds like the French have it about right…
Editor’s Note : It sounds like Nicola is at an early stage of her French Nationality application. Do we have other readers who have already been through this process and who can perhaps offer some advice here? Please add your comments below…
