The French citizenship minister Marlène Schiappa announced the move in Paris on Thursday, saying “these workers responded to the nation in its moment of need, so it is normal that the nation responds to them in turn”.
Schiappa went on to thank the key workers for their hard work in the name of the republic.
Among the 12,000 people to be granted citizenship are healthcare professionals, cleaners, cashiers, childcare workers and many other professions which could not be carried out at home.
Last year, the government cut the French residency requirement from five years to two, meaning applicants need to have spent just two years living in the country. The application process was also reduced. In the last year, around 61,000 foreign residents have been granted citizenship, 20% less than the previous year.
