Get Your French Citizenship by Ancestry
If you have French ancestry, you may be eligible to obtain French citizenship by descent. France offers a path to citizenship through family ties—opening the door to life in one of Europe’s most beautiful and culturally rich countries.
Why Consider French Citizenship?
Becoming a French citizen not only connects you to your family roots—it also offers the full benefits of European Union citizenship. Live, work, study, and invest freely throughout the EU, and pass your citizenship on to your children.
France is known for its rich culture, world-class cuisine, iconic cities, and high standard of living. Whether you’re drawn to the charm of Paris, the vineyards of Bordeaux, or the lifestyle of the French Riviera, holding French citizenship unlocks opportunities across the continent.
How Does French Citizenship by Descent Work?
France follows the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood), which means you can obtain French nationality if one or both of your parents were French, regardless of your place of birth. In some cases, it’s also possible to apply through grandparents or ancestors from former colonies, but additional criteria apply.
Who Can Obtain French Citizenship by Descent?
Children of French Citizens
If at least one parent was French at the time of your birth, you are automatically considered French.
If born outside France and only one parent is French, registration in the consular register is required to confirm nationality.
Grandchildren of French Citizens (in certain cases)
If at least one grandparent was French, you may apply via a declaration of French nationality.
You must prove a link to France, such as language proficiency or prior residence.
Descendants of French Citizens Who Lost Citizenship
If your French ancestor lost nationality due to naturalisation in another country before 1963, it may be possible to apply to regain citizenship by demonstrating a strong connection to France.
Descendants of French Citizens from Colonial Territories
Some descendants of French nationals from former colonies may qualify, provided they can prove transmission of nationality.
Key Factors to Consider when Applying for French Citizenship through Descent
Documentation is essential: You’ll need birth certificates, old passports, or French nationality documents from your parent(s) or grandparent(s).
Proof of connection: In some cases, you may need to demonstrate ties to France, such as speaking the language, cultural knowledge, or past residence.
Dual nationality: France allows dual citizenship, meaning you can retain your current nationality.
Loss of citizenship due to disuse (désuétude):
Under Article 30-3 of the French Civil Code, French nationality may be lost if:
You reside abroad
Your ancestors have lived outside France for over 50 years
You or your parents have not held French documents or maintained administrative ties during that time
France: A Gateway to Europe and a Life of Culture
France is a dream destination that blends timeless elegance with modern opportunity. From the Eiffel Tower and lavender fields of Provence to the cafés of Paris and castles of the Loire Valley, France is filled with beauty and cultural richness.
Whether it’s the Alpine slopes, the glamour of the Côte d’Azur, or the storybook towns of Alsace, every region offers a unique lifestyle. France’s high quality of life is matched by top-tier healthcare, education, and public services—making it an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family.
Learn more about the benefits of holding citizenship with an EU Member State here.
Why EuroPassport?
EuroPassport is the first Canadian company to offer people an easy and affordable way to obtain legal European citizenship. Based in Toronto, Canada, we are a team of trusted immigration lawyers, genealogists and documentation specialists who have pioneered an efficient process for our clients to obtain the French Citizenship they seek. Our experts take care of all the paperwork, in optimal deadlines.
- We take away the paperwork hassle, bureaucracy, legal complexity – and work on your behalf, using the most efficient route to obtain the citizenship you seek.
- Our streamlined process cuts out lengthy waits and confusing roadblocks to citizenship. Look to us to expedite your French citizenship and deliver in optimal timelines.
- Skip the exorbitantly high legal fees. Our migration experts and a team of Canadian and European legal advisors have refined a process that is considerably more cost-efficient, especially for those with family roots in Europe.
- We are a respected Canadian company based in Toronto – so you won’t have to deal with distant overseas law firms. Our track record is remarkable, as the first and only fully registered European Immigration services business in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
The process of applying for and obtaining your French citizenship is unique to each case, however the average time is 9-15 months.
When you apply for citizenship, any previous denial may hamper your chances on subsequent applications. An example of this would be declaring a date that is incorrect according to laws and legislations.
Immigration laws are constantly changing, and we are keeping up with every change, which may affect the required documents.
We also have a network of lawyers and genealogists in Europe who will prepare and supervise your application. We have the potential to prepare the most formidable citizenship application you can have.
Don’t risk submitting an unsuccessful application. EuroPassport does everything for you! Our team cooperates with top-tier lawyers in France; we first put together your application locally, and then your documents are sent to France to continue the rest of the citizenship process. You won’t even have to visit your local embassy or consulate for the process of getting your citizenship certificate as this will be completed in France.
However, once your citizenship process is completed, you will have to visit the nearest Polish consulate to apply for the passport.
You may be eligible to apply for French citizenship if you have at least one parent, grandparent or even great-grandparent who was born in France. Being French automatically qualifies you as being a European citizen with access to the many benefits/freedoms guaranteed in all EU countries.
Learn more about the benefits of holding citizenship with an EU Member State here.
This will depend on the complexity of your specific case and how many documents you require to prove your French ancestry. Learn more about the process and costs associated on our Fees page.
We do offer a 4-payment schedule for individuals and 6-payment schedule for families, and a discount of 5% for families of 2-4 people and 10% for families of 5 or more people.
Contact us to learn more about the pricing structure and payment options.
Yes, France generally allows dual citizenship!
You do not need to speak the language to reclaim citizenship.
Yes, we also conduct genealogy research in France. If you are interested in finding out more about your French ancestors, contact us for details.
You will only need to pay taxes in France if you move to France and live there at least 6 months of the year. If you move to another EU member country, you may not have to pay taxes in France, but you may still have to pay taxes in the European country in which you decide to live, so you would need to consult with the local tax authorities in that country.
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