Letters: Income rules for French nationality makes no sense

To the Editor,

I read with concern your recent article regarding the rejection of an application for French nationality for someone deemed to have insufficient attachment to France due to a lack of French-derived income. 

This test makes no sense and appears simply to be an artificial hurdle created on a whim by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.

I am British. With my French wife and our dual nationality son, we relocated to France in the aftermath of Brexit. We have been married for 12 years and lived in the UK until moving to France three years ago. 

Read more: Keyboard confusion adds stress to obligatory French tests

Since 1997, almost my entire career, I have worked on rotation in Norway in the oilfields. 

I continue to do so, meaning my source of income has always been different to my place of residence. 

I find it highly ironic that one of the key tenets of the European model, the free movement of people and the ability to work anywhere in Europe, is being used as a reason to bar my French nationality application. 

I recently had an interview at the prefecture and was told this may be an issue.

How, when my (French) wife, son and only home are based in France can there really be any question as to my “commitment” to France? I have achieved French level B1 and completed all the required civil and citizenship requirements.

If I were French I would, of course, be entitled to work in Norway without the current ongoing need to renew my ‘Brexit’ permit.

As it is, I must renew my Norwegian work permit every two years and simultaneously renew my French residency permit. The administration, cost and time involved is not inconsiderable. 

Jim Lewis, by email

Have you faced issues when it comes to applying for French nationality? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com