Article
The 50-Year Rule In French Citizenship By Descent: What Article 30-3 Really Means For Your Case
For many applicants pursuing French citizenship by descent, one of the most significant hurdles is often Article 30 3 of the French Civil Code, commonly known as the “50 year rule.” This provision can extinguish an otherwise valid claim to French nationality if a family has lived abroad for more than fifty years without maintaining a demonstrable connection to France. Since the rule has been the subject of extensive litigation, understanding how French courts apply this provision is essential before investing time and resources into an application.
Harvey Law Group