citizenship by investment France
citizenship by investment France
France does not offer citizenship by investment. While France has business and investor visa pathways, none grant citizenship. These visas provide residence, but French citizenship requires naturalization after 5 years of residency and is not for sale.
The programmes this page compares
| Jurisdiction | Programme | From | Family of four, fees included | Announced (months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Portugal Golden Visa (Residence Permit for Investment, ARI) | env. $289 000 | ≈ $385 214 | 12–24 |
| Malta | Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) | env. $80 800 | ≈ $107 860 | 12–18 |
| Türkiye | Türkiye Citizenship by Investment Programme | $400 000 | ≈ $534 000 | 4–9 |
France does not sell citizenship to investors
France attracts investors through business visa pathways (entrepreneur visa, skilled worker), but none grant citizenship. These visas provide legal residence, but French citizenship is not purchasable and requires 5+ years of residency plus naturalization.
French investor visa options
Entrepreneur / Liberal Professional Visa (visitor status with work rights): - Investment: varies (business plan required, no fixed minimum) - Timeline: business must generate sustainable income - Result: temporary residence renewable annually - Citizenship: NOT automatic; requires 5 years residency + application
Skilled Worker / Talent Visa: - Investment: none (position-based) - Timeline: 1–3 months to approval - Result: work residence permit (usually 3 years) - Citizenship: eligible after 5 years of continuous residence
The key distinction: these visas provide residence, not citizenship. Citizenship is a separate legal status.
Why France does not offer citizenship by investment
France citizenship law is rooted in Republicanism and national sovereignty. It cannot be purchased. French citizenship can only be acquired through:
- Birth in France (with conditions)
- Naturalization after ≥ 5 years residency + language test + civics knowledge
- Marriage to a French citizen (after ≥ 4 years, with conditions)
- Descent (French parents)
This is constitutional principle, not a policy quirk.
Investor visas lead to residence, not citizenship
If your goal is to legally live and work in France:
1. Entrepreneur Visa — establish a business generating sustainable income 2. Work 4+ years while building your business 3. Apply for long-term resident status (carte de résident) 4. After 5 years, apply for citizenship (carte d'identité)
Total timeline: 5–8 years minimum to citizenship.
Comparison: France vs. citizenship-by-investment countries
| Country | Investment | Path to Citizenship | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Business plan | Residency → naturalization | 5–8 years |
| Malta | — | Closed 24 July 2025 | No longer available |
| Portugal | $323K+ | Residency + golden visa | 5–10 years (or 6 months for citizenship) |
| Turkey | USD $250K | Direct citizenship | 3–6 months |
| Grenada | USD $235K–$250K | Direct citizenship | 2–4 months |
France's path is long and requires business integration. Countries like Turkey and Grenada offer direct citizenship in months; Malta did as well, until its programme closed in July 2025.
If your goal is French residence (not citizenship)
The Entrepreneur visa is viable if you can establish a sustainable business. However: - There is no set investment minimum - The business must generate sufficient income - Processing times vary - You do not gain citizenship automatically
If you want citizenship quickly and cannot invest 5+ years in France
Consider: - Malta: closed on 24 July 2025 — its residence programme is still open, the passport route is not - Turkey: citizenship in 3–6 months (USD $250K) - Grenada: citizenship in 2–4 months (USD $235K–$250K)
All offer direct citizenship pathways without the 5–year French residency requirement.
What to do next
1. Actual citizenship-by-investment programmes 2. Compare by cost and speed 3. Find programmes you qualify for
See also: - Citizenship by investment in the USA (no) - Citizenship by investment in the UK (no) - Citizenship by investment in Canada (no)
See also
Freedom. Anywhere.
Find my programme
What we do for you
You are looking at a passport, not a brochure. We take the whole procedure with you — eligibility, the route that actually fits your situation, the file, the follow-up — with one person on your side from the first call to the oath.
For Portugal specifically, you are talking to someone who already knows the file: who to speak to on the ground, what the unit actually asks for, and the points where applications stall.
- One point of contact, from the first call to the certificate
- Vetted partners on the ground — law firms, licensed agents, banks — introduced, not listed
- It starts with a short qualifying call, and no, it is not a sales call
Prefer to write? Leave us a message and we come back with a slot that suits you.