France Officially Grants Citizenship to George and Amal Clooney and Family
Paris, Tuesday, 30 December 2025.
A government decree confirms the family’s naturalization, solidifying their ties to Provence where they seek a normal upbringing for their twins under France’s protective privacy laws.
Official Naturalization and Family Details
The French government has formally recognized George Clooney, his wife Amal, and their eight-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, as citizens following a decree published in the Journal Officiel last weekend [1][2]. The official notice specifies that Amal Clooney was naturalized under her maiden name, Alamuddin, while the actor is listed as George Timothy Clooney [1]. According to French media reports analyzing the decree published on Saturday, December 27, the document confirms the family’s vital statistics, including the twins’ birth date of June 6, 2017, in Westminster, and Amal’s birth in Beirut on February 3, 1978 [4]. The French Interior Ministry emphasized that the family followed a “rigorous procedure” to obtain this status, moving beyond simple residency to full integration [2].
Strategic Residency and Privacy Protections
This change in status cements the family’s commitment to the Provence region, where they purchased a historic wine estate in Brignoles, located between Saint-Tropez and Marseille, in 2021 [1][4]. While the 18th-century villa serves as their primary residence, the decision to pursue citizenship appears heavily influenced by the distinct legal environment in France regarding personal privacy [2]. In an interview with Esquire in October, the 64-year-old actor highlighted that France offers specific legal protections against the photographing of children that are absent in the United States [1][4]. Clooney stated that avoiding the “culture of Hollywood” was essential for his children, ensuring they are not constantly compared to other celebrity offspring or subjected to aggressive paparazzi tactics [1].
Broader Trends in High-Net-Worth Mobility
The naturalization of the Clooney family reflects a wider trend among high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and American celebrities seeking dual citizenship within the European Union to diversify their lifestyle and jurisdictional risks [3]. Reports suggest that for some Americans, the motivation to secure European passports has been partially driven by the political climate under the Trump administration [3]. However, unlike “golden visa” schemes often utilized solely for travel privileges, the Clooneys have demonstrated significant local engagement. Didier Brémond, the mayor of Brignoles, described the family as “very simple and very accessible,” noting on December 30, 2025, that the actor shops in town and attends local cinema openings, actively striving for a normal life [2].
Cultural Integration and Future Outlook
Despite the successful naturalization, cultural assimilation remains a work in progress for the Kentucky-born star. In early December, Clooney admitted to the French radio network RTL that despite 400 days of language courses, his French skills remain poor, though he affirmed that the family is “happiest” at their French estate [1]. The move to France allows the children to grow up away from screens and in a more grounded environment where they “have dinner with grown-ups,” a lifestyle choice the couple prioritized over their properties in Italy, England, and the United States [1]. By securing citizenship, the Clooneys have effectively insulated their domestic life from the volatility of the American entertainment sector while solidifying their footprint in the European luxury real estate market.