L’Ancrage—meaning The Anchoring—represents the final, most profound step in your journey: establishing your permanent life in France. This involves securing either a 10-Year Permanent Residence Card (Carte de Résident) or ultimately, French Citizenship (Naturalisation). We provide expert, structured legal guidance to ensure your transition to full integration is smooth and successful.
ContactThe 10-Year Carte de Résident is the cornerstone of long-term stability for non-EU/EEA nationals in France. It offers increased freedom, simplifies administrative procedures, and is renewable automatically.
You generally become eligible for this card after residing legally in France for five continuous years under a valid Titre de Séjour (Residence Permit). Common pathways include:
Long-Term Resident: Having held various temporary Titres de Séjour for five years and demonstrating strong integration into French society.
Family Ties: Spouses of French nationals, or parents of French children, may apply under specific, accelerated conditions.
EU Blue Card Holders: Eligibility may be faster for those who have held an EU Blue Card in France.
Eligibility Assessment: We meticulously analyze your residency history (e.g., dates of entry, previous permits held) to ensure compliance with the five-year continuous stay rule.
File Preparation: Compiling the required documents for the Prefecture, including proofs of stable resources and housing.
Integration Review: Ensuring you meet the criteria for social and cultural integration, which can include language proficiency.
Naturalization is the ultimate goal, granting you full French nationality and the rights of an EU citizen, including the ability to vote, hold a French passport, and work freely across the EU.
Naturalization by Decree (Naturalisation par décret): The standard route after holding a Titre de Séjour for five years (sometimes reduced to two years for those who obtained a French degree).
Naturalization by Marriage (Déclaration par mariage): Available to the spouse of a French national after four years of marriage and cohabitation in France (or five years if the couple has not lived in France continuously since the marriage).
Citizenship by Kinship (Droit du Sang / Droit du Sol): Assistance for those who may automatically acquire or derive citizenship through a French parent or birth on French soil.
Eligibility and Timeline Analysis: Determining the fastest and most secure route for your application (Decree vs. Declaration).
Dossier Perfection: Complete preparation and submission of the complex Naturalisation file to the Prefecture or Tribunal Judiciaire.
Continuous Residence Review: Analyzing extended absences from France and their impact on the required physical presence.
Language and Integration Prep: Comprehensive coaching for the mandatory French language test (level B1) and the Interview with the Prefecture on French history, culture, and republican values.
Handling Potential Obstacles: We advise clients facing difficulties related to tax non-compliance, minor criminal records, or issues with civil status documents.
Navigating L’Ancrage requires patience, as French authorities conduct thorough reviews.
| Application Type | Estimated Processing Time | Final Step |
| 10-Year Carte de Résident | 6 to 12 months | Card issuance by the Prefecture |
| Naturalization by Decree | 18 to 24 months | Official publication in the Journal Officiel and Ceremony of Citizenship |
| Naturalization by Marriage | 12 to 18 months | Endorsement of the declaration by the Ministry |