Cancelation, withdrawal or revocation of French nationality

Verified 27 May 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

What are the situations in which French nationality can be withdrawn? We'll tell you what you need to know.

The public prosecutor may contest the registration of the declaration of nationality in the following 2 situations.

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You do not meet the conditions set by law

If you do not meet the requirements of the law, the public prosecutor may contest the registration of the declaration of french nationality.

The challenge must be in a two-year period according to the date on which the registration was made.

You obtained French nationality by lying or fraud

If you obtained French nationality by lying or fraud, the public prosecutor may contest the registration of the declaration of nationality.

The challenge must be in a two-year period following their discovery.

There is a suspicion of fraud if the spouses terminate their marriage community of life within 12 months of registration of the declaration of French nationality by marriage. A life community survey can be done.

FYI  

Cancelation of the declaration has an effect for the future and for the past. You're supposed to have never had French citizenship.

The decree of naturalization or reintegration into french nationality can be reported (canceled) in the following 2 situations.

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You do not meet the conditions set by law

If you do not fulfill the conditions set by law, the decree of naturalization or reintegration into French nationality can be rescinded (canceled). For example, in case of insufficient presence in France.

The decision must be taken in a two-year period following publication in the Official Journal the decree on naturalization or reintegration into French nationality.

The decision is made by decree, after a adversarial procedure, and with the assent of the Council of State.

You obtained French nationality by lying or fraud

If you obtained French nationality by deception or fraud, the decree of naturalization or reintegration into French nationality can be revoked (canceled). For example, concealment of a spouse or children residing abroad, concealment of a polygamous union, production of forged documents.

The decision must be taken in a two-year period following the discovery of the fraud.

The decision is made by decree, after a adversarial procedure, and with the assent of the Council of State.

FYI  

The decision to revoke (annul) a decree on naturalization or reintegration into French nationality has an effect for the future and for the past. You're supposed to have never had French citizenship.

You may lose French nationality due to lack of effectiveness of French nationality in the following 2 situations.

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In the case of active exercise of a foreign nationality

You can lose French nationality if the following 3 conditions are met:

  • You are a national of another State
  • You behave like the citizen of this state
  • You have committed acts contrary to the interests of France.

The decision is made by decree, after a adversarial procedure, and with the assent of the Council of State.

FYI  

The loss of French nationality has an effect only for the future.

Where employed in a foreigner public service

You can lose French nationality if the following 2 conditions are met:

  • You are active in a foreigners army, public service or international organization of which France is not a member
  • You are not stopping this activity despite the government's order.

The order to cease your activity is notified. If there is no known domicile, an information notice shall be published in the Official Journal. You are given a period between 15 days and 2 months. At the end of the deadline, it can be declared that you have lost French nationality.

The decision is taken by decree after obtaining the assent of the Council of State. If the opinion of the Council of State is unfavorable, the decision can only be taken by order in council of ministers.

FYI  

The loss of French nationality has an effect only for the future.

Reasons

The forfeiture of French nationality can be decided if you are in one of the following situations:

  • You've been convicted of a crime or a offense constituting an infringement of the fundamental interests of the Nation
  • You have been convicted of a crime or an offense constituting a act of terrorism
  • You hold public office and you have been convicted of a crime or offense that constitutes an offense against the public administration. For example, infringement of individual freedom, discrimination.
  • You did not meet the obligations under the national service code
  • You have performed acts for the benefit of a foreigner State that are incompatible with being French.

You risk the loss of French nationality only for acts committed before the acquisition of French nationality or within 10 years from the acquisition of French nationality. The deadline is increased to 15 years in the event of an attack on the fundamental interests of the nation or an act of terrorism.

Conditions

You may be stripped of French nationality if 2 conditions the following are combined:

  • You have acquired French nationality. For example, by naturalization or by declaration of marriage. A French person of origin cannot be fallen nationality.
  • You have a other nationality. It is not possible to make a person stateless.

Procedure

The reasons justifying your revocation of French nationality are notified. If there is no known domicile, an information notice shall be published in the Official Journal. You then have 1 month to make your comments known.

The decision is taken by decree on the assent of the Council of State.

FYI  

Deprivation has an effect only for the future.

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