(FRANCE) — France began enforcing January 1, 2026 rules that require most non-European Union nationals seeking long-term residency or French citizenship to meet higher language standards and pass a new mandatory civic exam.
Legal basis and policy intent
The changes took full effect under the 2024 French Immigration Law, Law No. 2024-42 of January 26, 2024, and were described by authorities as a move away from a model based on attending integration classes and toward one based on test results.
“L’acquisition de la nationalité française doit demeurer l’aboutissement d’un parcours d’intégration puis d’assimilation réussi et exigeant.”
— Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, circular dated May 2, 2025
A government press release dated December 12, 2025 made the administration’s stance explicit:
“Becoming French must be earned, and we must be very, very demanding.”
The French Ministry of the Interior is responsible for residency and naturalization rules. These policy changes are outside U.S. jurisdiction; U.S. agencies such as USCIS and DHS did not issue statements.
What changed — overview
- Higher language standards under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- Mandatory standardized digital civic exam (computer-based QCM) required before filing applications for:
- Multi-year residence permits (Carte de séjour pluriannuelle)
- 10-year residence cards (Carte de résident)
- Naturalization (French citizenship)
Attendance in integration classes alone is no longer sufficient for the categories covered. Applicants must provide recognized diplomas or pass certified tests.
Language requirements — detailed
Proof of proficiency must be demonstrated through an official diploma (e.g., DELF or DALF) or an approved test (e.g., TCF IRN) taken within the last two years at an approved center.
The new required CEFR levels by application type:
| Application type | Previous CEFR level | New CEFR level required |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-year residence permit (Carte de séjour pluriannuelle) | A1 or evidence of learning | A2 |
| 10-year residence card (Carte de résident) | A2 | B1 |
| Naturalization (citizenship) | B1 | B2 (comparable to standards for international students entering French universities) |
Key points:
– Accepted evidence includes diplomas (DELF, DALF) or certified tests (TCF IRN).
– Tests must be taken within the last two years at an approved testing center.
Plan your language evidence early: secure a DELF/DALF diploma or an approved cert (TCF IRN) within the last two years and ensure it meets the required CEFR level for your application type.
Civic exam — structure and passing criteria
The state introduced a mandatory civic exam formalized in Decree No. 2025-647 of July 15, 2025. The decree states the exam “will be administered at approved centers” and “will be mandatory nationwide from 1 January 2026.”
Exam format and requirements:
– Format: Computer-based multiple-choice exam (QCM)
– Number of questions: 40
– Time allowed: 45 minutes
– Passing score: 80% (at least 32 correct answers)
– Retakes: Candidates may retake the exam as many times as necessary
– Requirement: Must obtain an “Attestation de Réussite” before filing an application
Exam content covers five government-defined areas:
– Principles and values of the French Republic (including Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, and Secularism)
– The institutional and political system of France
– Rights and duties of residents and citizens
– French history and geography
– Culture and life in French society
Administrative effects and consequences
Practical consequences for not meeting the thresholds:
– Applicants who fail the required language or civic tests are ineligible for long-term status.
– Such applicants may be limited to temporary one-year permit renewals.
– One-year renewals are subject to a maximum of three consecutive renewals under the same law, tightening the pathway for those who do not meet the thresholds.
The policy thereby links the right to settle long term to measurable outcomes (test results) rather than participation alone.
Who is affected and exemptions
Affected groups highlighted by the policy summary include:
– Non-EU nationals on local hire contracts (salarié)
– Beneficiaries of family reunification
– Entrepreneurs
Notable exemptions and special cases:
– Age-based relief: Individuals aged 65 and older may be exempt from the language test in certain categories.
– Some refugees and beneficiaries of specified international agreements may have specific exemptions for the 10-year card.
– Talent Passport holders are generally exempt from these specific language thresholds at the initial multi-year stage, but must meet the thresholds if they later apply for a 10-year resident card or citizenship.
Practical administration and resources
- Main portal of the French Ministry of the Interior: interieur.gouv.fr
- Official public service administrative guidance: service-public.fr
- Civic training and exam platform information: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr
- French Office for Immigration and Integration: ofii.fr
Overall effect and final framing
In practice, the new structure:
– Sets clear pass-fail gates at multiple stages (multi-year permit → 10-year card → naturalization)
– Standardizes the evidentiary burden for language (recognized diplomas or approved tests taken within a defined window)
– Replaces local discretionary assessments with a standardized, digital civic exam
Bruno Retailleau’s May 2, 2025 phrasing captures the intended direction: nationality as the endpoint of an “assimilation” process that is réussi et exigeant.
France has heightened its requirements for long-term residency and citizenship as of January 2026. Key updates include raising language requirements to levels A2, B1, and B2, alongside a new 40-question digital civic exam. This policy, rooted in the 2024 Immigration Law, prioritizes proven integration results over simple course attendance, linking legal status directly to linguistic and civic competency scores.
