Dealing with government, Life in France

I’m French, officially!

You might say Franco-American but that reminds me of a spaghetti product from days gone by so I think I’ll stick with French and American. Once you have lived continuously in France for 5 years you can apply for citizenship and you wait several months to see if your application will be accepted. With that accomplished, you then wait a year or 3 or 5, depending on where in the country you live, to be summoned to an interview by an immigration officer who must confirm that you are integrated into French society. A few months after that, assuming everything goes as planned, your name appears in the Journal Officiel (the US version would be the Congressional Record) and “suddenly” you’re French.

So, what can I do today as a French citizen that I couldn’t do yesterday as just a French resident with a 10-year residence card:

  • Vote—in city, departmental, regional, and national elections plus for the European parliament.
  • Work—access to civil service jobs. Private sector jobs were available with the 10-year card.
  • Live—permanently in France without needing to renew a 10-year residence card. 
  • Move—freely within the European Union to work and/or live.

And the responsibilities that come with being a citizen:

  • Obey the law—but residents must do that too.
  • Finance public services—but residents already pay taxes and fees as required.
  • Defend the country—For people over 65 I read this explanation: You could participate in civil defense initiatives or volunteer for organizations that support national security. Most importantly, being a responsible citizen, integrated into the community, and promoting French values would be your greatest contribution.
  • Serve on juries—I’d be happy to do so but lawyers for both sides might want a native French speaker.

The next steps are to apply for a national ID card and a passport. The travel rules for the US and France are the same; that is, if you have a US passport then you must present that when you enter and leave the US just as you must show your French passport when you enter and leave this country. As you can gather from that, I’ll have passports from both countries meaning I will be retaining my US citizenship.

Recently I saw someone’s reply as to why he wanted to become a French citizen rather than just living here on a permanent basis. His response was, “Citizens have rights; residents have privileges.” That is indeed a practical answer from the head that I fully understand and for me there’s the additional answer from the heart. The principles of Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, and Laïcité (secularism) are considered to be fundamental to French society and I’m delighted to be part of that.

Basic timeline:

  • June 2021—mailed in my application for citizenship
  • February 2022—application was accepted as complete
  • July 2024—interview with an immigration officer
  • February 2025—my name appeared in the Journal Officiel, so I’m French!

49 thoughts on “I’m French, officially!”

  3. Wow, how wonderful. I am sure you must be so proud. Given the political climate in the US I am sure you must feel a sense of peace. I salute your decision and wish you all the best. Vive LA France!

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Hi Bob, a couple of years ago you gave me a email to ask a question that wasn’t so public but I seemed to have lost or deleted it. Is it possible that I can write to you off the site again please

        Liked by 2 people

  8. wow! So many congrats! I was waiting impatiently to hear from you as I expected this news around December, January. Finally! I can’t believe it took 4 years. I’m hoping in Paris it’s much shorter wait….. Congrats again. 🇫🇷

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Stephanie! Weren’t we all waiting, ha-ha. From what I’ve seen online, it is indeed considerably faster in Paris, 12 to 18 months perhaps, and even faster if your application is via marriage to a French citizen rather than by décret based on residency as mine was. You’ll get there for sure!

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  9. I’m utterly thrilled for you, Bob. This takes a lot of stamina and your success is testament to how much you love France and how hard you worked to get to this point. Well deserved, and, Gary is right. 👏🏼💐🎉

    “À vallaint coeur rien d’impossible.” Jacques Cœur

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  11. Way to go! You may have been impatiently waiting but patience like courage is expressed in doing despite knowing the difficulties ahead. I can only hope to be as capable a bureaucracy warrior when my own time comes! I think I’ll be lucky to survive a year. Congratulations – success well deserved!

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    1. Just one step at a time, one document after another and you eventually end up successful at the other end be it a visa, a carte de séjour, or citizenship 🥳

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  14. Well done Bob.You are certainly an asset to France – and not just because of the wine you have tasted, nor the train journeys you have been on! Congratulations – your perseverance and patience is commendable. Love you lots.
    Peter and Lady Gaynor ❤️❤️

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  19. Bonjour Bob et félicitations – c’est une nouvelle fantastique!

    I know you will embody the The French Republic’s motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity“

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Congratulations to you!!

    You have earned this status in both heart and mind!!

    Cheers to all your hard work and patience!!

    xo

    Liked by 2 people

  21. This is brilliant news. Interesting that France allows both passports. In Germany (I thought) I would have to renounce my US citizenship, which I do not want to do.

    This calls for some Champagne or Cremant de Limoux!

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  22. Congratulations! I hope they still do ceremonies in Carcassonne as I found mine quite special.

    But I’m commenting on this blog actually to comment on another one re mutuelles. I read you have decided not to continue with your full mutuelle, which I too have done as never really got back more than I spent.

    But think about a much cheaper hospital only policy. Hospitals are where you can rack up big costs very quickly. Last year it paid out €10,000 for 3 tiny procedures.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. We only had the hospital Mutuelle and it has not been necessary and would only cover up to the 100% level for the room and not the medical charges. We have had three outpatient procedures, one requiring anesthesia, and our total out of pocket expenses were less than two hundred euros. It is a gamble just like the Mutuelle companies make that they won’t pay out as much as they take in. We are lucky to have savings to cover us in case of an emergency but here in France it is almost impossible to go bankrupt due to medical costs.
      Bob says “Thank you” and yes the citizenship ceremonies are still held in Carcassonne and we are both looking forward to that!

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      1. it’s a personal choice, so if you’re happy then I’m happy. I just get nervous when it seems that people haven’t thought about hospital charges. And yes, public hospitals are great, but a lengthy procedure and stay in a private hospital can be eyewatering. We have a 300% hospital policy and are currently in profit (just).

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