France Grants George Clooney Family Citizenship via Rare “Citoyen Émérite” Pathway

By Zoe Papadakis    |   Wednesday, 31 December 2025 11:39 AM EST

France granted actor George Clooney and his family citizenship after a special request from the country’s foreign affairs minister. The citizenship was approved on December 26 following a direct request from Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, as documented in official government records.

The move bypassed standard naturalization requirements by utilizing the rarely applied “citoyen émérite” pathway. In an October 20 letter to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez—whose office oversees citizenship decisions—Barrot proposed granting French nationality to Clooney, his wife Amal Clooney, and their children under this special provision.

The government document noted that the Clooney family is “permanently based” in southern France, where their children attend school. It highlighted their enduring personal and professional ties to France and emphasized their philanthropic work through the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which focuses on international legal advocacy for free speech and women’s rights across 40+ countries. The document also cited Clooney’s economic impact, stating his professional activities generate significant financial benefits for the French film industry.

A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister Barrot confirmed he initiated the request and that citizenship was formally granted in December. The decision has drawn internal criticism within France’s government. Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister attached to the interior ministry, expressed embarrassment over the move, calling it “a message sent in the wrong direction” and pledging to review how the procedure was applied.

The “citoyen émérite” process allows governments to waive typical requirements such as minimum residency periods, language exams, and integration assessments. While legally permitted, it is rarely used and historically reserved for individuals deemed strategically or economically vital to France. Past beneficiaries include Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel and Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov.

Clooney has resided in France for several years with his wife, a human rights lawyer, and their children. The couple established the Clooney Foundation for Justice to provide free legal aid globally. Their advocacy work has occasionally placed them at odds with political leaders abroad, including Russian authorities and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. In the United States, Clooney maintains ties to Democratic Party officials and played a role in encouraging former President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.

In an October interview with Esquire, Clooney described his family’s life in France as preferable to Hollywood: “We live on a farm in France… I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.” He also cited concerns about celebrity culture in Los Angeles, stating he worried about raising children in environments where fame could overshadow their opportunities.