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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 the basis that their primary income is derived from overseas pensions. 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 applicants whose income is mostly foreign 鈥� "apart from exceptions鈥�. 

He said this "situation shows the person has not 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 whose income was mainly from overseas sources to obtain citizenship, but this 鈥渢olerance鈥� was removed by the circular, which made no distinction between workers and retirees. 

However, pensions resulting from 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 said. 

The spokeswoman confirmed that the 鈥榚xceptions鈥� which may be made (as referred to by Mr Retailleau) includes retirees as well as workers.

鈥淓ach situation is examined individually and applicants should 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 addressing this issue further in the September edition of The Connexion.