Legislative history
The French Citizenship Code stipulated that “adult French citizens who voluntarily acquire a foreign citizenship shall lose their French citizenship.”[1] While French men under the age of 50 lost their citizenship only if they had the explicit authorization from the French government,[2] French women lost it automatically.
- As a result, a gender-based distinction was established: many French women who were naturalized between October 20, 1945, and January 10, 1973, automatically lost their French citizenship, while most French men in the same situation remained citizens.
- An exception to the rule was French women naturalized who were minors (under 21) until January 10, 1973 (when the las was repealed). This group did not lose French citizenship as they were not considered adults who had voluntarily acquired a foreign citizenship.
Application of the law by the Consulates
Given the complexity of the law and the fact that Consulates were not always aware of the foreign naturalization of French citizens residing in their constituencies, French Consulates abroad continued to issue passports and identity documents to many women who were supposed to have lost their citizenship. Some citizens were thus unaware of the loss of their citizenship, as the French administration continued to treat them as citizens.
Recent jurisprudence – law deemed unconstitutional
In 2014, the Constitutional Council (“Conseil Constitutionnel”)—the court responsible for ruling on the constitutionality of French laws—declared the 1954 law establishing a distinction between men and women unconstitutional.[3] In April 2025, the Constitutional Council also declared the 1945 version of the law unconstitutional.[4]
Practical consequences of the law and the Conseil Constitutionnel decisions
Although the 2014 and 2025 decisions allow women who have lost their citizenship to regain it (through a Certificate of French Nationality application), their descendants cannot avail themselves of the 2014 and 2025 decisions. The discriminatory aspect of the law remains in place to some extent, therefore, despite the two decisions invalidating the law. For example, if the French ascendant lost her French citizenship but never applied for reinstatement, and this ascendant is now deceased, her loss of French citizenship becomes permanent and irrevocable. In this case, the child may be considered to have been born to a foreign (non-French) parent and the mother’s loss of citizenship becomes an insurmountable obstacle to the child’s application for French citizenship by descent.
The Avocat Grégoire team can assist you in your efforts to regain your French citizenship. Each situation is unique and should be analyzed in order to identify the most appropriate solution. Contact us for personalized support and specific advice tailored to your situation.
[1] Article 87 of ordinance n°45-2441 from October 19, 1945
[2] Article 9 of the ordinance.
[3] The January 9, 2014 decision declared the 1954 law unconstitutional (law in effect between June 1921 and January 1973).
[4] The April 25, 2025 decision declared the 1945 law unconstitutional (law in effect between October 1945 and June 1951)