{"id":28666,"date":"2026-08-29T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lexcase-immigration.com\/?p=28666"},"modified":"2026-08-27T17:54:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T15:54:58","slug":"france-language-civics-requirements-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lexcase-immigration.com\/en\/france-language-civics-requirements-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"France’s new language and civics requirements: what changed on 1 January 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

IMMIGRATION & INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY \u00b7 LEGAL UPDATE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Higher language levels for residence permits, B2 for citizenship, a new standardised civics exam for both \u2014 and the end of several long-standing shortcuts. Here is the complete picture for foreign nationals in France.<\/p>\n\n

In force since 1 January 2026 \u00b7 Law no. 2024-42 of 26 January 2024 (the "Darmanin law") and its 2025 implementing decrees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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long-standing facilities \u2014 such as recognition of French-language diplomas obtained abroad \u2014 have been withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

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Preparing a residence permit or nationality application?<\/div>\n

LexCase Immigration can identify the language level, civics requirement and evidence that apply to your situation.<\/p>\n Have your situation assessed<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n

THE REFORM IN ONE PARAGRAPH<\/h2>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Part I \u2014 Impact on residence permits<\/h2>\n\n

Required language level, by permit<\/h3>\n\n
\n
Residence permit<\/th>Level required<\/th>Legal basis<\/th><\/tr>\n
Multi-year residence card
(carte de s\u00e9jour pluriannuelle)<\/td>		A2 \u2014 understand and use everyday expressions<\/td>Art. L. 433-4 CESEDA<\/td><\/tr>\n
Resident card \/ EU long-term resident card \/ permanent resident card
(all three, on first issue)<\/td>		B1 \u2014 hold a simple conversation, produce coherent speech on everyday topics<\/td>Art. L. 413-7 CESEDA<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n

Who is affected \u2014 and who is exempt from the language test<\/h3>\n\n
\n
Affected<\/th>Not affected \/ exempt<\/th><\/tr>\n
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 \u2014 including spouses of French nationals, parents of French children, family reunification, EU long-term residents, refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection.<\/td>Holders exempt from signing the Republican Integration Contract (CIR, art. L. 413-5): \u00e9tudiant and \u00e9tudiant \u2013 mobilit\u00e9, visiteur, stagiaire, travailleur temporaire, talent and famille de talent, intra-corporate transferees (ICT), seasonal workers. Also: vie priv\u00e9e 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.<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n

How to prove your language level<\/h3>\n\n
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Route<\/th>Accepted evidence<\/th>Validity<\/th><\/tr>\n
Language tests<\/td>TCF or TEF \u2014 "Int\u00e9gration, R\u00e9sidence et Nationalit\u00e9" (IRN) versions, or the general-public versions<\/td>2 years<\/td><\/tr>\n
Diplomas<\/td>DELF, DFP, DCL; the brevet national; any State-issued diploma or professional certification at RNCP level 3 or above<\/td>No expiry<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n

Approved bodies: France \u00c9ducation International (TCF, DELF, DALF) \u00b7 CCI Paris \u2014 Le fran\u00e7ais des affaires (TEF, DFP) \u00b7 French Ministry of Education (DCL). Remember the level you actually need: A2 for the multi-year card, B1 for the resident card.<\/p>\n\n

The civics exam for residence permits (since 1 January 2026)<\/h3>\n\n
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40<\/td>multiple-choice questions<\/td><\/tr>\n
45 min<\/td>maximum, on screen<\/td><\/tr>\n
80%<\/td>pass mark (= 32\/40)<\/td><\/tr>\n
No expiry<\/td>validity of the result<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n
\n
Item<\/th>Detail<\/th><\/tr>\n
Applies to<\/td>First multi-year card (art. R. 433-5) and first resident card (art. D. 413-12-2)<\/td><\/tr>\n
Content<\/td>28 knowledge questions across five themes \u2014 principles and values of the Republic; institutions; rights and duties; history, geography and culture; living in French society \u2014 plus 12 situational questions<\/td><\/tr>\n
Approved operators<\/td>Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Paris (CCIP) and France \u00c9ducation International (FEI)<\/td><\/tr>\n
Note<\/td>Anyone exempt from signing the CIR (and therefore from the civics training) is also exempt from the civics exam<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n

Exemptions \u2014 residence<\/h3>\n\n
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Category<\/th>Scope<\/th><\/tr>\n
Over 65<\/td>Exempt from both the language condition and the civics exam \u2014 for residence permits only<\/td><\/tr>\n
Disability \/ chronic illness<\/td>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<\/td><\/tr>\n
Algerian nationals<\/td>Governed by the Franco-Algerian agreement of 27 December 1968 \u2014 the new rules do not apply<\/td><\/tr>\n
Tunisian nationals<\/td>The resident card is governed by the Franco-Tunisian agreement of 17 March 1988 \u2014 the CESEDA conditions for the resident card do not apply<\/td><\/tr>\n
EU citizens and their family members<\/td>Not concerned \u2014 they hold neither a multi-year card nor a resident card<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n
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Unsure which test or exemption applies?<\/div>\n

Our lawyers can review your permit category, nationality procedure and supporting documents before filing.<\/p>\n Request legal guidance<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n

Part II \u2014 Impact on French nationality (naturalisation)<\/h2>\n\n

Language level \u2014 from B1 to B2<\/h3>\n\n
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Before<\/th>Since 1 January 2026<\/th><\/tr>\n
B1 \u2014 threshold level<\/td>B2 \u2014 advanced level, assessed across all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing), both orally and in writing<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

How to prove B2 \u2014 and the end of "comparability"<\/h3>\n\n
\n
Evidence<\/th>Detail<\/th>Validity<\/th><\/tr>\n
Language test<\/td>TCF or TEF certificate<\/td>2 years<\/td><\/tr>\n
French diploma<\/td>Brevet, or a State-issued diploma at level 3 or above<\/td>No limit<\/td><\/tr>\n
Language diploma<\/td>Certified CEFR level of B2 or higher<\/td>No limit<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n

IMPORTANT \u2014 THE END OF COMPARABILITY<\/h3>\n\n

The 2020 order that allowed an "attestation de comparabilit\u00e9" 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.<\/p>\n\n

The civics exam for nationality<\/h3>\n\n
\n
40<\/td>multiple-choice questions<\/td><\/tr>\n
45 min<\/td>maximum duration<\/td><\/tr>\n
80%<\/td>pass mark (= 32\/40)<\/td><\/tr>\n
For life<\/td>validity of the result<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n
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Item<\/th>Detail<\/th><\/tr>\n
Content<\/td>Knowledge of the Republic: historical landmarks, principles and institutions, la\u00efcit\u00e9 and equality between women and men, rights and duties, life in society \u2014 the content of the livret du citoyen<\/td><\/tr>\n
Where<\/td>At an approved centre, before filing the application<\/td><\/tr>\n
Relationship with the interview<\/td>It is in addition to \u2014 it does not replace \u2014 the assimilation interview at the prefecture (art. 41 as amended)<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n

Scope \u2014 who sits what<\/h3>\n\n
\n
Procedure<\/th>B2 language test<\/th>Civics exam<\/th><\/tr>\n
Naturalisation \/ reinstatement (by decree)<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>\n
Declaration on the basis of marriage<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>\n
Declaration as ascendant, brother or sister of a French national<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n

Exemptions \u2014 nationality<\/h3>\n\n
\n
Category<\/th>Scope<\/th><\/tr>\n
Health \/ disability<\/td>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 \u2014 on presentation of a compliant medical certificate<\/td><\/tr>\n
Older refugees<\/td>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)<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n

Four misconceptions worth clearing up<\/h3>\n\n
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The assumption<\/th>The reality<\/th><\/tr>\n
"I'm over 65, so I'm exempt."<\/td>Not for nationality. The age-based exemption applies to residence permits (CESEDA), not to naturalisation. The B2 test and the civics exam still apply.<\/td><\/tr>\n
"My French-language degree is enough."<\/td>Not since 2026. Comparability has been abolished. A recent TCF or TEF, or a French diploma, is required.<\/td><\/tr>\n
"I speak French well, so the civics exam doesn't apply to me."<\/td>No. No level of French exempts you from the civics exam, which tests knowledge, not fluency.<\/td><\/tr>\n
"The civics exam replaces the interview."<\/td>No. It is additional to the assimilation interview at the prefecture, which remains in place.<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n

What to do now<\/h2>\n\n

Practical takeaways<\/h3>\n\n