French nationality law

Civil Code of the French Articles 17 to 33-2 Code civil des Français
French Parliament
Citation	Art. 17–33-2 C. civ
Territorial extent	France
Enacted by	French Parliament
Enacted	22 July 1993
Commenced	22 July 1993
Status: Amended

French nationality law is historically based on the principles of jus soli (Latin for "right of soil") and jus sanguinis,^[1] according to Ernest Renan's definition, in opposition to the German definition of nationality, jus sanguinis (Latin for "right of blood"), formalised by Johann Gottlieb Fichte.

The 1993 Méhaignerie Law, which was part of a broader immigration control agenda to restrict access to French nationality and increase the focus on jus sanguinis as the nationality determinant for children born in France,^[2] required children born in France of foreign parents to request French nationality between age 16 and age 21, rather than being automatically accorded citizenship at majority. This "manifestation of will" requirement was subsequently abrogated by the Guigou Law of 1998,^[3] but children born in France of foreign parents remain foreign until obtaining legal majority.

Children born in France to tourists or other short-term visitors do not acquire French nationality by virtue of birth in France: residency must be proven. Since immigration became increasingly a political theme in the 1980s, both left-wing and right-wing governments have issued several laws restricting the possibilities of access to French nationality.^[4][5]