Can I apply for French nationality if I am now living in the UK?

[FrigideBarjot]

My DH is French and we've been married for almost 30 years and lived and worked in France until July 2016. In all that time I never thought it necessary to apply for French nationality (hollow laugh) but now, obviously with Brexit, I am wishing I had.
We have now been living and working in the UK since August 2016 with no immediate plans to return to France but it's an option we are considering for the future depending on where our DC eventually settle.
So, I am wondering if I should apply now for French nationality and is it even possible whilst being an UK resident?
Does anyone have any experience of this?

[ChariotsofFish]

I think you can, if you’re applying on the basis of being married to a french citizen rather than the length of your residence in France.

[Impicciona]

I think you have a minimum residency requirement as well as being married to a citizen. I have dual citizenship with DH's home country (both EU citizens) but I had to live there for at least 2 years continuously despite being married.

[FrigideBarjot]

I was resident there for 20+ years up until August 2016. Will that not count?

[ChariotsofFish]

I don’t think that will count, usually a six month break in residency is enough to have to start again. But I think France is one of the countries where you don’t have to be resident to get citizenship through your spouse.

[Impicciona]

Best check with the French Embassy. I know I had to have 2 years continued residency in the last 5 years. May be the same so move quickly just in case!

[AdaColeman]

Has your French husband registered as a French national now living abroad?

[Evalina]

I have a friend, married to a French man, who has now got French Residency despite never having lived in France. There is a minimum period for the marriage I think (10 years?) plus she had to do a language test.

They've had a home in France for a long time, but it's never been their primary residence.

[Evalina]

French nationality I should say - she now has a French passport.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I think you can apply for permanent residency if you've been married to a French national for more than three years even if you don't live in France, but for citizenship you need to have had a period of continuous living in France and that period is void it you leave France for more than 6 consecutive months.

[amyboo]

According to service public, you can still apply as long as (at some point) you have lived together continuously for at least 4 years in France since you got married.

www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2726

It also mentions some other conditions that might be relevant - I'm not sure about the "titre de sejour" bit, as those are no longer compulsory for EU nationals, so many people living in France don't have them... It might be worth contacting Service Public to clarify.

[FrigideBarjot]

Yes, my husband is registered with the French embassy as resident here. He had to renew his passport last year.
I have checked out the French embassy website and I can apply for French nationality by marriage. It's not easy but do able. Loads of documents to provide with official translations and a language test to pass. If you do the language test here (only centres - Manchester or London) it costs £135, if you do it in France it costs €80 🙄. So I think I will do it when we go next summer. The certificate is then valid for 2 years.