Naturalization by decree (and reintegration)

Exemptions

Disability or health

The only exemption from the civic exam written into the text: a disability or chronic health condition that makes the evaluation impossible, shown by a medical certificate. The separate language condition has its own exemptions, below.

Age

No age exemption applies to naturalization. The "over 65 exempt" claim seen on some commercial prep sites is true only for the residence-card version of the exam, not for naturalization.

Diploma or language test already passed

A French diploma or a passed language test can satisfy the language condition only. It does not replace or waive the separate civic-knowledge exam.

language_condition_health

Language condition only: a disability or health condition that makes a language evaluation impossible, shown by a medical certificate (service-public.fr, fiche F11926).

language_condition_refugee_age_residence

Language condition only, and all three must be true together: a political refugee or stateless person, over 70 years old, and resident in France for at least 15 years with a valid residence permit. This does not exempt from the civic exam itself (service-public.fr, fiche F11926).

French level required

B2 level, oral and written, confirmed. This was raised from B1 to B2 for naturalization, reintegration and the marriage-based nationality declaration.

Sources

• https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000051900519
• https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000053227374
• https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F11926

Checked on 2026-10-04