100 Naturalization Interview Questions 2026 (with Answers)

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I have lived in France for several years: I work here, I pay my taxes here and I have built my life here. I share the values of the Republic — liberty, equality, fraternity and secularism. Becoming French is the natural outcome of my integration. (Adapt this answer to your own story: it is the most important question of the interview.)

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I have lived in France for [X] years: I arrived in [year]. Give a precise date consistent with your file — the officer has your history in front of them.

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I came to France for [my studies / work / to join my family]. Explain your path simply, then show that your life is here now.

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I work as a [job] at [employer], and have for [duration]. If you are looking for work, say so honestly and describe your efforts: training courses, applications sent.

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Yes, I live with [my spouse and our children]. If your family is abroad, say so simply and talk about the circle of friends and social life you have built here. Stay consistent with your family file.

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Yes, I have been married since [year] and we have [X] children, who go to school in [city]. Children in French schools are a strong sign of integration: mention it.

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I live in [city], in the [name] department, and have for [duration]. Know how to situate your town: its region, its department, and if possible the name of its mayor.

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I want to keep developing my career, see my children grow up here and get more involved in local life. Show a stable, lasting life project in France.

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I mainly speak French, especially with my children. If you also speak your native language, say so naturally: it is not a problem — what matters is your command of French.

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I go back [once a year / rarely] to see my family, but my life, my work and my plans are in France. Be honest: keeping family ties abroad is normal.

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I will be able to vote and take a full part in the democratic life of the country where I live. It is also a commitment: I undertake to respect the laws and values of the Republic.

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Yes, I volunteer at [association] / I take part in my children's school activities. If not, talk about your participation in neighbourhood life, local festivals or a sports club.

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On 14 July 1789, the people of Paris stormed the Bastille, a prison that symbolised the king's absolute power. This event marks the beginning of the French Revolution. 14 July became the national holiday.

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It is the period, from 1789, when France ended absolute monarchy. It proclaimed the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and laid the foundations of the Republic.

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It is a fundamental text adopted on 26 August 1789. It proclaims that men are born free and equal in rights, and guarantees essential freedoms such as freedom of opinion and expression.

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Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor of the French in 1804. He created the Civil Code, which still organises a large part of French law today.

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General de Gaulle launched the Appeal of 18 June 1940 to continue the fight against Nazi Germany. He led Free France, founded the Fifth Republic in 1958 and was president from 1959 to 1969.

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It was General de Gaulle's speech on the radio from London. He called on the French to refuse defeat and to resist the German occupation. It is the beginning of Free France.

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The women and men who fought the German occupation during the Second World War, in France and from London. Jean Moulin is one of its most famous heroes.

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The Fifth Republic was founded in 1958 by General de Gaulle. Its Constitution, adopted on 4 October 1958, still organises French institutions today.

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Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, reigned for 72 years and had the Palace of Versailles built. You can also mention Henri IV or Saint Louis.

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Joan of Arc is a heroine of the 15th century. During the Hundred Years' War she fought the English and enabled King Charles VII to be crowned in Reims.

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The death penalty was abolished in 1981, under President François Mitterrand. Justice Minister Robert Badinter championed the law.

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Women obtained the right to vote in 1944 and voted for the first time in 1945.

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It is the armistice that ended the fighting of the First World War. 11 November is a public holiday, in memory of the soldiers who died for France.

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It is the end of the Second World War in Europe: Nazi Germany capitulated. 8 May is a public holiday in France.

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Signed in 1992, this treaty created the European Union and prepared the single currency, the euro. France approved it by referendum.

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Victor Hugo, author of Les Misérables and Notre-Dame de Paris, is one of the greatest French writers. You can also mention Molière, Émile Zola or Albert Camus.

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The President of the Republic is Emmanuel Macron, elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2022 (term until 2027). Double-check this before your interview, especially after an election.

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Check the Prime Minister's name a few days before your interview: the government can change. Above all, remember the role: the Prime Minister leads the government's action and is appointed by the President of the Republic.

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The President is the head of state. They ensure the Constitution is respected, appoint the Prime Minister, lead foreign policy and are the head of the armed forces.

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The Prime Minister leads the government's action and conducts the nation's policy. They are accountable to the National Assembly.

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Parliament is made up of two chambers: the National Assembly and the Senate. It votes on laws and oversees the government.

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The 577 deputies of the National Assembly are elected directly by citizens for 5 years. The 348 senators are elected for 6 years by indirect suffrage, by local elected officials. In case of disagreement, the National Assembly has the final say.

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The presidential term lasts 5 years: the 'quinquennat'. A president cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.

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It checks that laws comply with the Constitution. It has nine members and also oversees the regularity of major elections.

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It is the way the National Assembly can bring down the government. If the motion is passed by a majority of deputies, the government must resign.

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A bill is debated and voted on by the National Assembly and the Senate. Once adopted, the law is promulgated by the President of the Republic and published in the Journal officiel.

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It means that all adult French citizens, women and men, have the right to vote. You can vote from the age of 18.

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The mayor runs the municipality: municipal services, primary schools and the civil registry (births, marriages). The mayor is elected by the municipal council.

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Yes. Justice is independent from political power and delivered in the name of the French people. Everyone has the right to a fair trial and to a lawyer.

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France is organised into municipalities (communes), departments and regions, run by locally elected officials. These collectivities manage part of the public services: schools, middle schools, high schools, transport.

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The motto of the French Republic is 'Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité' (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity). It is inscribed on public buildings such as town halls and schools.

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Liberty is the right to think, express yourself and act within the law. Equality means the same rights for everyone, whatever their origin, religion or sex. Fraternity is solidarity between all members of society.

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Laïcité is the separation of churches and the state, guaranteed by the 1905 law. The state is neutral: it recognises no religion, but guarantees everyone the freedom to believe or not to believe.

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It allows people of all religions — or none — to live together in peace. Everyone's conscience is free, and religion belongs to private life.

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The blue-white-red flag, the national anthem La Marseillaise, Marianne, the motto 'Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité' and the national holiday of 14 July. The Gallic rooster is also a traditional symbol.

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Marianne is the female figure who symbolises the French Republic and liberty. Her bust is present in every town hall.

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The national anthem is La Marseillaise, written by Rouget de Lisle in 1792. Learn at least the chorus and the first verse: you may be asked to sing a few lines.

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White was the colour of the king; blue and red are the colours of Paris. United during the Revolution, they symbolise the unity of the nation.

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It is the right to express your opinions freely, orally or in writing, within the law. It has limits: insults, defamation and incitement to hatred are forbidden.

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In France, women and men have exactly the same rights: at work, in the family, before the law. It is a fundamental, non-negotiable principle of the Republic.

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It is solidarity between all members of society. In practice it takes the form of social security, free schooling and help for the most vulnerable.

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Yes. Power belongs to the people, who elect their representatives by universal suffrage. Fundamental freedoms are guaranteed and the press is free.

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Yes, freedom of worship is guaranteed by laïcité. Everyone may practise a religion, or none, within the law and public order.

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To respect the laws, republican values and secularism, to take part in the life of society and to raise their children in keeping with these principles.

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The capital of France is Paris. It is the seat of the government, Parliament and the presidency of the Republic.

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France has 18 regions: 13 in metropolitan France and 5 overseas.

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Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice, Nantes, Strasbourg, Bordeaux and Lille are among the largest French cities.

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France shares borders with eight countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Monaco and Andorra.

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The Loire (the longest river in France), the Seine (which flows through Paris), the Rhône, the Garonne and the Rhine.

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The Alps, the Pyrenees, the Massif Central, the Jura and the Vosges. Mont Blanc, in the Alps, is the highest peak (about 4,800 metres).

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The Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Channel and the North Sea to the north.

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They are the French territories outside Europe: Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Réunion and Mayotte, as well as other collectivities such as French Polynesia and New Caledonia.

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France has about 68 million inhabitants.

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France has 101 departments, including 5 overseas. Each department has a number, found for example in postal codes.

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It is a union of 27 European countries that cooperate economically and politically. France is one of the founding countries.

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Yes, France has been a founding member since the Treaty of Rome in 1957. Together with Germany, it plays a major role in European integration.

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The countries of the European Union that use the same currency, the euro. In France, the euro replaced the franc in 2002.

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It is an area of free movement between most European countries: you can travel within it without internal border checks.

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The European Parliament sits in Strasbourg, France. It is a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation.

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The next presidential election will take place in 2027. Check the electoral calendar before your interview.

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Yes, I follow the news every day: I watch the evening news, listen to the radio and read the press online. Mention specific media you actually use.

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Prepare one or two recent examples and be able to talk about them simply: for example the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, an election or a major cultural event. The officer wants to check that you take an interest in the country's life.

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Review the composition of the government a few days before the interview: it can change. At a minimum, know the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister, who is in charge of naturalizations.

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Newspapers: Le Monde, Le Figaro, Libération. Television: TF1, France 2, BFMTV. Radio: France Inter, RTL, RFI.

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Created in 1945, social security protects all residents: it reimburses healthcare and pays benefits (illness, retirement, family). It is financed by employee and employer contributions.

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State school is free and secular. Education is compulsory from age 3 to 16. It includes nursery school, primary school, middle school (collège) and high school (lycée).

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It is the health-insurance card. It allows reimbursement of consultations, medicines and care.

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14 July (national holiday), 1 May (Labour Day), 8 May (1945 victory), 11 November (1918 armistice), 25 December (Christmas) and 1 January.

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1 May is Labour Day. It is a public holiday, and the tradition is to offer a sprig of lily of the valley.

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Bœuf bourguignon, blanquette de veau, cassoulet, ratatouille, crêpes — not forgetting cheeses and the baguette. The 'gastronomic meal of the French' is listed as UNESCO intangible heritage.

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The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Palace of Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel and Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral.

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Victor Hugo (writer), Marie Curie (scientist, naturalized French, twice Nobel laureate), Louis Pasteur (scientist), Simone Veil (stateswoman) and Zinédine Zidane (athlete).

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Football is the most popular sport: the French team won the World Cup in 1998 and 2018. Rugby, tennis (Roland-Garros) and cycling (the Tour de France) are also widely followed.

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It is a festival created in France, held every year on 21 June. Free concerts are organised everywhere, in streets and squares.

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You declare births, get married, request civil-status documents and register to vote. The mayor celebrates weddings there.

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I take part in the life of my neighbourhood: school events, a sports club, outings with colleagues and neighbours. Give concrete, personal examples: it is your real integration that interests the officer.

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The right to vote and to stand for election, freedom of expression, opinion and religion, the right to a fair trial and access to all public-sector jobs.

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To respect the laws, pay taxes, take part in the defence of the country, serve on a jury if called, and send their children to school.

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You can vote from the age of 18. You must be a French citizen and registered on the electoral roll.

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Citizens drawn by lot to judge serious crimes alongside magistrates, at the cour d'assises. It is a civic duty: you cannot refuse without a serious reason.

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Taxes fund public services: schools, hospitals, roads, the police and the justice system. Paying taxes is a duty of every citizen and every resident.

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A compulsory day for young French people, after registering at the town hall at 16. It introduces the values of the Republic and defence matters.

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Yes, France allows dual nationality: you can become French without giving up your nationality of origin, unless your country of origin does not allow it.

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A document you sign during the naturalization procedure. It recalls the principles and values of the Republic — liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism — and the rights and duties of the citizen.

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I will be able to vote in all elections, obtain a French passport and access all public-sector jobs. Above all, I will be a full citizen of the country where I live.

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The right to believe, not to believe or to change religion. It is protected by laïcité: the state does not judge anyone's convictions.

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No one is above the law: any offence can be punished by a fine or a prison sentence, decided by the courts. The law is the same for everyone.

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The law is the same for everyone, whatever their origin, religion, wealth or sex. No one has privileges before the courts.