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Retired people whose income comes mostly from abroad can still obtain French citizenship, the Interior Ministry has confirmed to The Connexion - but it is now an exception to the general rule.

Several retirees have been told recently that their applications have been denied on grounds that their income was mostly pensions from abroad. Several are considering appeals.

It comes after Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, in March, to all prefects calling for a tougher assessment of applications, including rejecting people whose income is mostly foreign 鈥� "apart from exceptions鈥�. 

He said this suggests the person has 鈥渘ot totally transferred the centre of their interests to France鈥�.

An Interior Ministry spokeswoman said there had previously been a 鈥済oodwill measure鈥� allowing retirees with mostly foreign income to obtain citizenship, but this 鈥渢olerance鈥� was removed by the circular, which made no distinction between workers and retirees. 

However, pensions due to work for an international organisation, such as the United Nations, or work carried out in France for a foreign employer, were not included in this rule. 

She confirmed, also, that the possibility for 鈥榚xceptions鈥� to be made (as referred to by Mr Retailleau) includes retirees as well as workers.

鈥淓ach situation is examined individually and applicants must provide all the information they deem necessary to justify their involvement in French society,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am unable to specify in which cases the exception may lead to a favourable decision.鈥�

Anyone receiving a rejection letter from their prefecture can make an appeal to the ministry.

If you have been impacted by this change please contact us via feedback@connexionfrance.com.

We will be further covering this issue in the September edition of The Connexion.