IMMIGRATION & INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY · LEGAL UPDATE
Higher language levels for residence permits, B2 for citizenship, a new standardised civics exam for both — and the end of several long-standing shortcuts. Here is the complete picture for foreign nationals in France.
In force since 1 January 2026 · Law no. 2024-42 of 26 January 2024 (the "Darmanin law") and its 2025 implementing decrees
A wave of decrees and orders adopted through 2025 has reshaped the language and civics conditions attached both to the right of residence and to the acquisition of French nationality. Required language levels have been raised, a new standardised civics exam has been introduced, and several long-standing facilities — such as recognition of French-language diplomas obtained abroad — have been withdrawn.
If you hold a French residence permit, are about to apply for one, or are planning a naturalisation application, these rules almost certainly affect your timeline. This note sets out the whole framework, requirement by requirement.
LexCase Immigration can identify the language level, civics requirement and evidence that apply to your situation.
Have your situation assessedTHE REFORM IN ONE PARAGRAPH
Residence permits now require A2 (multi-year card) or B1 (resident card), plus a civics exam. Naturalisation moves from B1 to B2 and adds a civics exam in the same 40-question format. A pass mark of 80% (32 out of 40) is required, and French-language diplomas obtained abroad no longer stand in for a recent language test.
Part I — Impact on residence permits
Required language level, by permit
| Residence permit | Level required | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) | A2 — understand and use everyday expressions | Art. L. 433-4 CESEDA |
| Resident card / EU long-term resident card / permanent resident card (all three, on first issue) | B1 — hold a simple conversation, produce coherent speech on everyday topics | Art. L. 413-7 CESEDA |
Who is affected — and who is exempt from the language test
| Affected | Not affected / exempt |
|---|---|
| Holders of a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) or of a temporary permit applying for a first multi-year card; and applicants for a first issue of any of the three resident cards — including spouses of French nationals, parents of French children, family reunification, EU long-term residents, refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. | Holders exempt from signing the Republican Integration Contract (CIR, art. L. 413-5): étudiant and étudiant – mobilité, visiteur, stagiaire, travailleur temporaire, talent and famille de talent, intra-corporate transferees (ICT), seasonal workers. Also: vie privée et familiale cards issued to a person born and raised in France or issued on health grounds; and young people who completed three years of secondary schooling in France or one year of higher education in France. |
How to prove your language level
| Route | Accepted evidence | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Language tests | TCF or TEF — "Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité" (IRN) versions, or the general-public versions | 2 years |
| Diplomas | DELF, DFP, DCL; the brevet national; any State-issued diploma or professional certification at RNCP level 3 or above | No expiry |
Approved bodies: France Éducation International (TCF, DELF, DALF) · CCI Paris — Le français des affaires (TEF, DFP) · French Ministry of Education (DCL). Remember the level you actually need: A2 for the multi-year card, B1 for the resident card.
The civics exam for residence permits (since 1 January 2026)
| 40 | multiple-choice questions |
| 45 min | maximum, on screen |
| 80% | pass mark (= 32/40) |
| No expiry | validity of the result |
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Applies to | First multi-year card (art. R. 433-5) and first resident card (art. D. 413-12-2) |
| Content | 28 knowledge questions across five themes — principles and values of the Republic; institutions; rights and duties; history, geography and culture; living in French society — plus 12 situational questions |
| Approved operators | Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Paris (CCIP) and France Éducation International (FEI) |
| Note | Anyone exempt from signing the CIR (and therefore from the civics training) is also exempt from the civics exam |
Exemptions — residence
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Over 65 | Exempt from both the language condition and the civics exam — for residence permits only |
| Disability / chronic illness | Adjusted test conditions or full exemption, on presentation of a compliant medical certificate (order of 30 December 2025). People using sign language or braille are exempt from the language test; braille users are also exempt from the civics exam |
| Algerian nationals | Governed by the Franco-Algerian agreement of 27 December 1968 — the new rules do not apply |
| Tunisian nationals | The resident card is governed by the Franco-Tunisian agreement of 17 March 1988 — the CESEDA conditions for the resident card do not apply |
| EU citizens and their family members | Not concerned — they hold neither a multi-year card nor a resident card |
Our lawyers can review your permit category, nationality procedure and supporting documents before filing.
Request legal guidancePart II — Impact on French nationality (naturalisation)
Language level — from B1 to B2
| Before | Since 1 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| B1 — threshold level | B2 — advanced level, assessed across all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing), both orally and in writing |
Procedures caught by the B2 requirement: naturalisation and reinstatement by decree, and declaration on the basis of marriage. Legal basis: decree no. 2025-648 of 15 July 2025, implementing article 20 of the law of 26 January 2024.
How to prove B2 — and the end of "comparability"
| Evidence | Detail | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Language test | TCF or TEF certificate | 2 years |
| French diploma | Brevet, or a State-issued diploma at level 3 or above | No limit |
| Language diploma | Certified CEFR level of B2 or higher | No limit |
IMPORTANT — THE END OF COMPARABILITY
The 2020 order that allowed an "attestation de comparabilité" has been repealed (order of 22 December 2025, art. 4). A diploma obtained in French abroad no longer exempts an applicant from the test. A recent TCF or TEF, or a French diploma, is now required. If your file was built around a francophone degree from another country, it needs rethinking.
The civics exam for nationality
| 40 | multiple-choice questions |
| 45 min | maximum duration |
| 80% | pass mark (= 32/40) |
| For life | validity of the result |
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Content | Knowledge of the Republic: historical landmarks, principles and institutions, laïcité and equality between women and men, rights and duties, life in society — the content of the livret du citoyen |
| Where | At an approved centre, before filing the application |
| Relationship with the interview | It is in addition to — it does not replace — the assimilation interview at the prefecture (art. 41 as amended) |
Scope — who sits what
| Procedure | B2 language test | Civics exam |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation / reinstatement (by decree) | Yes | Yes |
| Declaration on the basis of marriage | Yes | No |
| Declaration as ascendant, brother or sister of a French national | No | No |
Exemptions — nationality
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Health / disability | Full exemption from the language exam and/or the civics exam where the person's state of health makes assessment impossible; failing that, adjusted test conditions — on presentation of a compliant medical certificate |
| Older refugees | A refugee over 70 who has been resident in France for at least 15 years is exempt from the language condition (art. 21-24-1 of the Civil Code) |
Four misconceptions worth clearing up
| The assumption | The reality |
|---|---|
| "I'm over 65, so I'm exempt." | Not for nationality. The age-based exemption applies to residence permits (CESEDA), not to naturalisation. The B2 test and the civics exam still apply. |
| "My French-language degree is enough." | Not since 2026. Comparability has been abolished. A recent TCF or TEF, or a French diploma, is required. |
| "I speak French well, so the civics exam doesn't apply to me." | No. No level of French exempts you from the civics exam, which tests knowledge, not fluency. |
| "The civics exam replaces the interview." | No. It is additional to the assimilation interview at the prefecture, which remains in place. |
What to do now
Practical takeaways
- Plan for the level, early. A2 for the multi-year card, B1 for the resident card, B2 for nationality. Obtain a valid certification well ahead of filing — test results expire after two years.
- Book the civics exam in advance. 40 questions, 80% to pass, at a CCIP or FEI centre, to be booked before you file your application.
- Check whether a special regime applies to you. Algerian and Tunisian nationals, EU citizens, and holders of permits exempt from the CIR are governed by different rules.
- Stop relying on the old shortcuts. Francophone degrees obtained abroad no longer replace a test, and age alone does not exempt you where nationality is concerned.
The practical consequence of the reform is a longer runway. Between booking a test, waiting for results, sitting the civics exam and assembling the file, applicants who used to prepare in weeks should now think in months. Because language test results are only valid for two years, timing matters in both directions: sit the test too late and the file is not ready, too early and the certificate may no longer be usable.
Talking it through
An initial conversation is essential to assess your situation, the prospects of success and the strategy to put in place. We hold first consultations by WhatsApp, Zoom, Teams, telephone or Skype — whichever you prefer — or in our offices. Documents are exchanged by secure email.
Our immigration team handles the full range of administrative and regulatory steps, for both business and private immigration to France. We are available Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 7.00pm; otherwise leave your details on our contact form and we will call you back within 24 hours.
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This article is general information on the law in force as at 1 January 2026 and is not legal advice on any particular situation. Individual circumstances — nationality, permit category, family situation, health — can change the analysis materially.
LexCase assists individuals, families and employers with residence and nationality procedures in France.
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