Paragraph 5 : Acquisition of French nationality by decision of the public authorities

No one may be naturalised unless they can prove that they are assimilated into the French community, in particular through sufficient knowledge, depending on their condition, of the French language, history, culture and society, the level and assessment procedures for which are set by decree in the Conseil d’Etat, and of the rights and duties conferred by French nationality as well as adherence to the essential principles and values of…

The condition of knowledge of the French language does not apply to political refugees and stateless persons legally and habitually resident in France for at least fifteen years and aged over seventy.

The conditions under which the assimilation and state of health of foreign nationals awaiting naturalisation will be checked will be laid down by decree.

The public authority’s response to an application to acquire French nationality by naturalisation must be made no later than eighteen months from the submission of all the documents required to constitute a complete file, against which a receipt is issued immediately. The time limit referred to in the first paragraph is reduced to twelve months when the foreigner awaiting naturalisation can prove that he or she has been habitually resident…