France Country Profile

Passport
For more details visit France Passport Ranking
  • Passport Grade
    A+
  • Passport Ranking
    4/198
  • Passport Score
    191.7/198
  • Visa-free Countries
    160
  • Visa-required Countries
    38
  • Access to the World's GDP
    93%
  • Access to the World's Surface Area
    68%
  • Access to the World's Population
    66%
  • Access to the Unesco Sites
    86%
Citizenship and Naturalization
Birthright citizenship (Jus Soli)
  • Birthright citizenship (Jus Soli)
    Restricted
    Restricted: A child born in France (including overseas territories) will become a citizen at birth if at least one of the parents was also born in France.
Naturalization - Standard Conditions
  • Minimum residency period
    5 years
  • Physical presence requirement
    Generally, 6 months per year
  • Language test
    Yes, French
  • Need to renounce original citizenship?
    No
  • Can minor children naturalize?
  • Can naturalized parents pass citizenship to a child born abroad?
  • Can you lose naturalization due to prolonged absence/ naturalization elsewhere?
Naturalization - Your Spouse is a Citizen
  • Living IN the country: Residency/marriage requirement
    3 years / 4 years
    Must be married for 4 years, and reside in the country for 3 year.
  • Living ABROAD: Marriage requirement
    5 years
    Must be married for 5 years if residing abroad. Your French spouse must be registered as a "French citizen living abroad".
  • Language test
    Yes, French
  • Need to renounce original citizenship?
    No
Naturalization - Other Beneficial Provisions
  • Your child is a citizen
    No provisions
  • Citizens of specific countries
    No provisions
"–": The provision has not been analysed.
Visas and Residencies
Visas and Residencies
Taxation
For more details visit Cost of Living
  • Taxation Type
    Residence-based
A tax resident of a country with a RESIDENCE-BASED tax system pays taxes on their WORLDWIDE income. However, if you lose tax residency status there (e.g., by moving out), the country will generally stop taxing you. However, Frech citizens continue to be taxed on their worldwide income if they move to Monaco.
Schiff Sovereign's Take on France
“You haven’t lived until you’ve seen France.” – so said every French teacher of one of Sovereign Man’s team members back in the US.

Before the pandemic, some 80 million foreign tourists visited France (and ostensibly Paris) each year. Clearly, people are obsessed with the French in general, and Paris in particular. The latter is the main European bastion of fashion, cinema and art.

People dream of having a little cottage somewhere in Provence, Brittany, or the Norman countryside.

And the French just “do” things on a different scale. They are living “la vie” and go out of their way to savor the experience of things, not just the act of doing things. Eating, drinking coffee, conversing – for them, it's a whole experience. 

Some might find the French a bit insufferable. Parisians in particular don’t lack confidence. France used to be the dominant superpower in the world, and many French probably still feel that this is the case.

France is also an inherently beautiful country boasting vineyards, provincial farms and medieval towns. You could probably spend a lifetime exploring France and unearthing new, delightful surprises.

But what about aspects other than a splendid lifestyle? 

Obtaining residency in France is a rather straightforward process. And if you have a family, your kids will get a superb education to boot.

But if you want to start a business in France, you better select another country. Taxes, payroll, employee contributions, the inability to fire even the most incompetent of workers… All this makes for a steep climb to build a profitable enterprise. 

Safety is also becoming an issue. Terrorism has been a problem, as well as an unwillingness of its growing Muslim population to integrate meaningfully into French society. 

Despite France’s problems, its lifestyle appeal persists, and there are parts of that dream that still exist. In France, one might find a little slice of paradise (albeit at a price – France isn’t cheap).
Schiff Sovereign's Rolodex
Service Providers available in France
  • Immigration (residency, citizenship)
  • Tax advice (attorneys and/or accountants)
  • Corporate services (company formation, etc.)
Obtain access to our Rolodex by signing up for Sovereign Confidential Join Sovereign Confidential Today

Sovereign Global Explorer

Benefiting from over a decade of our team’s boots-on-the-ground experience, Global Explorer is where your international journey begins.
France Overview
  • Region
    Europe
  • Capital City
    Paris
  • Largest City
    Paris
  • Currency
    Euro
  • Languages
    French
  • Population
    67.9 million (20th)
  • Life Expectancy
    82.6 years (23rd)
  • GDP (Nominal)
    $2.8 trillion (7th)
  • GDP/Capita
    $40,891 (31st)
Useful Data
For more details visit Cost of Living
  • Cost of Living
    Expensive (5/7)
  • Climate
    Comfortable (2/5)
  • Safety
    Safe (3/7)
  • Pollution
    Clean (2/5)
  • English Proficiency
    Moderate (3/5)

Sovereign Global Explorer

Benefiting from over a decade of our team’s boots-on-the-ground experience, Global Explorer is where your international journey begins.

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