Does France allow dual citizenship? (2026)

Does France allow dual citizenship?

Yes. France has permitted multiple nationality since 1973, and its official guidance is explicit: French law does not require a foreigner who becomes French to give up their original nationality, and it does not require a French person who acquires another nationality to give up French citizenship. You can hold two, three or more passports.

A French national with more than one nationality has all the rights and obligations attached to French citizenship — the same rule applies whether you were born French, naturalised, or acquired a second nationality later.

The catch to watch

France's openness is only half the equation. Whether you can actually keep both passports depends on your other country's law — some states still require you to renounce when you naturalise elsewhere, or strip citizenship automatically. Check your home country's rules and consulate before you apply, because France will not do that for you.

The other catch is timing. From 1 January 2026, naturalisation became harder, not easier: the required French-language level rose from B1 to B2, and applicants must now pass a new civic exam on French history, culture and the values of the Republic. Dual citizenship is allowed — but French citizenship itself now takes more to earn.

How dual citizenship arises

From birth, where a child has parents of different nationalities or is born under another country's jus soli. By descent (jus sanguinis) from a French parent. By marriage to a French national, or by naturalisation after residence — in every case without surrendering your other passport on France's side.

What changed for 2026

Decree n° 2025-648 of 15 July 2025 tightened the naturalisation route for applications completed after 31 December 2025. The French-language requirement moved up to B2 on the CEFR scale (from B1), proven by a diploma or recognised test such as the TCF or TEF. A new civic exam of 40 multiple-choice questions across five themes now applies, with a pass mark of 80% (32 of 40). None of this changes France's acceptance of dual nationality — it changes how demanding it is to become French in the first place.

At a glance

Where it fits in a borderless plan

A French passport is a strong flag, but it is only one flag. France taxes residents on worldwide income, so pair a second nationality with a deliberate tax residency and a self-custody plan for your Bitcoin. New to this? See which countries allow dual citizenship, or claim one through ancestry.