Can you get a resident card (carte de résident) as a foreign former combatant of the French army?

Yes: a foreign former combatant of the French army can get a resident card if the former combatant's stay is regular. The former combatant must meet one of the following conditions. The former combatant can get a resident card by serving in a combat unit of the French army or of an allied army. The former combatant can get a resident card by serving at least 3 years under contract with the Foreign Legion and obtaining the certificate of good conduct. The former combatant can get a resident card by fighting in the ranks of the French forces of the interior (FFI).

Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04

How do you apply for naturalisation while you are under the colours?

1. If you are under the colours, you hand your naturalisation application to the military authority.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
2. If the naturalisation applicant is under the colours, the military authority files the naturalisation application of the applicant under the colours within 8 days with the administrative authority responsible for receiving the naturalisation application, together with the opinion of the military authority.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
3. If you are under the colours, the administrative authority then compiles the naturalisation file.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04

How do you apply for naturalisation once you have returned to civilian life?

1. If you have returned to civilian life, you file an application for naturalisation by decree.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04

What can a foreign former combatant of the French army obtain in France?

• A foreign former combatant of the French army can obtain a resident card (carte de résident) only if their stay is regular.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
• You meet one of the conditions for the resident card (carte de résident) if you served at least 3 years under contract with the Foreign Legion and obtained the certificate of good conduct.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
• A foreign former combatant of the French army can also acquire French nationality on the proposal of the Minister of Defence.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
• As a person enlisted in the French armed forces, you can be naturalised if you were wounded on mission during an operational engagement.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
• Being the foreign child of a former combatant of the French army does not open a right of residence in France, and an entry visa or a residence permit (titre de séjour) still requires the required conditions.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04