My Journey to French Citizenship: Challenging and Complicated but Completely Rewarding!

When I first started my journey towards gaining French Nationality, back in October 2019, I never imagined that it would be such a rollercoaster. Looking back now, it’s hard to separate the stress from the joy, but I can say with certainty that every challenge along the way made the final reward feel even more rewarding.

The process started with excitement and hope, but very quickly, I realised it was more complicated than I had anticipated. I LOVE navigating the French administrative system but even for me, the endless list of documents that needed to be provided (most of them requiring an official translation from English into French) and the appointments that needed to be made - every single step required such precision. One missing page, one tiny error and weeks turned into months of waiting. The complexity wasn’t just in the paperwork. I had to demonstrate my integration into French society, proving not only my knowledge of the language but also my understanding of the culture, the values, and the way of life that make France unique.

Then COVID hit. What was already a complex process became exponentially more difficult. Offices closed, appointments were postponed indefinitely, and the uncertainty added a layer of anxiety I hadn’t expected. For months, I felt stuck in limbo, unable to move forward, despite having completed everything at my end. It was a test of patience unlike anything I’d faced before. But I refused to give up. I used the downtime to deepen my connection with France, learning more about its culture, refining my French, and immersing myself in the community I wanted to belong to.

Fortunately, my local MP managed to get things moving, and even passed a new law, so that I and others in the same situation, wouldn't be penalised by the delays caused by COVID. The pieces started to fall into place again, and I could resume the process with renewed determination.

When the final confirmation arrived, in December 2022 (yes, just over 3 years from start to end!), it was surreal. The months of frustration, the painstaking paperwork, the waiting, the uncertainty, all of it melted away in a moment of pure joy. Becoming French wasn’t just about having a carte d'identité or legal status - it was about belonging. It was a recognition that I had not only persevered through a complicated system but had truly integrated into a country I love.

Looking back, I can honestly say the difficulty of the process made the reward even more meaningful. French nationality is not handed out lightly, and neither should it be. The journey tested me, challenged me, and ultimately transformed me. And when I finally celebrated that moment of official recognition, it felt like a triumph not just over bureaucracy, but over every obstacle.

Gaining French nationality is not merely an administrative achievement; it is a personal triumph, a testament to perseverance, and ultimately, a celebration of identity and belonging. If you are considering taking this path, be prepared for complexity, but know that the reward is immense.

Since 2023, applications for French naturalisation are processed via the ANTS platform, making the process easier to track and the complexity of the application process has been reduced. However, it has brought with it numerous technical difficulties and there is also a lack or personalised assistance, which can feel very frustrating. Feel free to contact me if you would like help and support during your journey to gaining French Nationality.

After such a long and challenging path, I can finally say with all my heart:

Vive la France! 🇫🇷