As of July 28, 2025, France 🇫🇷 has introduced major changes to its citizenship laws, with the most significant reforms coming from the January 2024 law called “Controlling Immigration While Improving Integration.” These changes affect how people can become French citizens, especially through naturalisation, and set new standards for language skills, employment, and commitment to French values. The reforms will continue to roll out through 2025 and into 2026, with some rules already in effect and others starting soon. This update explains what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what these changes mean for people hoping to get French citizenship.
Summary of the Changes
The new law, officially known as Law no. 2024-42, was passed on January 26, 2024. Its main goal is to control immigration more strictly while helping foreign nationals become part of French society. The law focuses on three main areas:
- Stricter requirements for naturalisation (the process of becoming a citizen)
- Greater emphasis on employment as a sign of integration
- Stronger commitment to French republican values
- Higher language proficiency standards
These changes mean that getting French citizenship is now more challenging, especially for those who do not already speak French well or who are not working in jobs that are in high demand.
Key Legislative Changes and Their Context
The “Controlling Immigration While Improving Integration” law marks a big shift in how France 🇫🇷 handles citizenship and immigration. The government wants to make sure that people who become citizens are well integrated into French society, can speak the language at a higher level, and share the country’s core values. The law also aims to connect the process of getting citizenship more closely with employment, especially in sectors where there are not enough workers.
Changes in Citizenship Eligibility and Application Process
Language Proficiency
One of the most important changes is the new language requirement. Starting January 1, 2026, anyone applying for French citizenship must show that they have a B2 level in French. This is an upper-intermediate level, which means you need to be able to understand and use complex sentences, hold conversations on a wide range of topics, and write clearly. Before this change, the requirement was only B1, which is a lower level.
To prove your language skills, you must take the TEF IRN (Test d’Évaluation de Français pour l’Intégration, le Résidence et la Nationalité). This test checks your listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities. The TEF IRN was updated on April 1, 2025, to match the new standards, so applicants need to prepare for the latest version of the test.
Commitment to Republican Principles
Another key change is the requirement to sign a formal contract showing your commitment to the values of the French Republic. This contract covers:
- Respect for personal freedoms
- Gender equality
- Secularism (the separation of religion and government, known as laïcité)
- Human dignity
You must sign this contract before you can get a residence permit or apply for citizenship. This step is meant to make sure that new citizens understand and accept the core values that shape French society.
Integration Through Employment
The new law also creates a special pathway for undocumented workers in sectors with labor shortages. If you are working in a job where there are not enough workers, you may be able to regularize your status and eventually apply for citizenship. This makes employment a much more important part of the naturalisation process. However, if you are not working in one of these high-demand sectors, it may be harder to qualify.
Citizenship by Birth (Jus Soli)
The rules for children born in France 🇫🇷 to foreign parents have also changed. Before, many of these children could automatically become French citizens at birth. Now, the law has made it harder, adding new conditions that must be met. This change affects many families who have lived in France for a long time but do not have French citizenship.
Application Processing Time
The process for naturalisation usually takes 12 to 18 months. However, delays are common, especially because of the new language testing, document checks, interviews, and citizenship ceremonies. It is a good idea to get legal advice to help you through the process and avoid mistakes that could slow things down.
| Country/Type | Visa Category | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| France | Naturalisation | 12 to 18 months |
| France | TEF IRN test preparation | Varies, but requires significant study time |
| France | Application decision | Usually 12 to 18 months |
| France | Citizenship ceremony | After approval, typically within a few months |
Practical Implications for Applicants
These changes have real effects on people who want to become French citizens:
- Higher language standards: You now need to reach B2 level in French, which takes more time and effort than the old B1 requirement. This means more studying and practice, especially for those who do not use French every day.
- Mandatory contract: You must sign a contract promising to respect French values. This is not just a formality; it is a legal requirement.
- Employment matters more: If you work in a sector with a labor shortage, your chances of getting legal status and citizenship are better. If not, you may face more obstacles.
- Children’s citizenship: Children born in France 🇫🇷 to foreign parents will not automatically get citizenship. Families need to check the new rules to see if their children qualify.
- TEF IRN test: The updated test is now required, so applicants should get familiar with the new format and what is expected.
Recent Official Statements and Guidelines
On January 23, 2025, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau released a circular updating the rules for exceptional residence permits (AES). The new guidelines stress:
- Stricter integration requirements
- Proof of respect for republican values
- French language proficiency, shown by diplomas or certificates
- Preference for jobs in high-demand sectors when applying for AES
A new decree (no. 2025-648) issued on July 15, 2025, makes the B2 language requirement official for naturalisation applications starting January 1, 2026. The government has said that these rules may become even stricter in the future, but there will still be some flexibility for special cases.
What Remains the Same
Despite these changes, some parts of the process have not changed:
- Basic naturalisation process: You still need to have legal residence, show that you are integrated into French society, and meet the required number of years living in France (usually five years, with some exceptions).
- Processing time: The average time to process a citizenship application is still 12 to 18 months.
- Knowledge of French culture and history: You must still show that you know about French culture and history, as well as the language.
- Employment as a factor: Having a job has always helped show that you are integrated, but now it is even more important, especially in sectors with labor shortages.
Step-by-Step Citizenship Application Process (Post-Reform)
Here is a simple breakdown of the steps you need to follow if you want to apply for French citizenship after these reforms:
- Legal Residence: Make sure you have lived in France 🇫🇷 legally for the required number of years (usually five).
- Language Proficiency: Study for and pass the TEF IRN test at the B2 level. You can find more information and register for the test on the official TEF IRN website.
- Commitment Contract: Sign the contract that shows you agree with French republican values.
- Employment Verification: Collect proof of your job, especially if you work in a sector with a labor shortage.
- Submit Application: Send in your naturalisation application with all the required documents, including your language test results and proof of integration.
- Interview and Verification: Go to interviews and provide any extra documents if asked.
- Decision and Ceremony: Wait for the decision (usually 12–18 months). If you are approved, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony.
Expert Analysis and Perspectives
Legal experts say that raising the language requirement to B2 shows that France 🇫🇷 wants new citizens to be able to communicate well and be fully part of society. This matches what other European countries are doing. Employers and economic experts think that linking citizenship to jobs in sectors with shortages is a smart way to fill important roles while keeping control over immigration. However, some human rights groups are worried that making it harder for children born in France to get citizenship could hurt families who have lived in the country for many years. Government officials say the new rules are meant to keep the country safe, meet economic needs, and help everyone get along.
Future Outlook and Pending Developments
The new B2 language requirement will start on January 1, 2026, and is expected to have a big impact on who can become a French citizen. More changes may come in late 2025 or 2026, as the government looks at how these reforms are working and decides if more adjustments are needed. The effects on immigrant communities and the job market will be closely watched, and there will likely be more debates about how to balance the need for integration with fairness and compassion.
Official Resources and Contact Information
If you want to learn more about the new rules or need help with your application, here are some useful resources:
- The French Ministry of the Interior provides official updates on immigration and citizenship laws.
- The TEF IRN Official Website has information about the language test and how to prepare.
- For legal help, you can contact immigration lawyers such as Giambrone & Partners or Majorelle Avocats.
- For general questions, you can reach out to the Paris office at +33 6 75 45 90 13 or the Los Angeles office at +1 949-394-0232.
Practical Tips for Applicants
- Start preparing early: If you plan to apply for French citizenship, begin improving your French now, especially if you are not yet at the B2 level.
- Gather documents: Keep all your important papers, such as proof of residence, work contracts, and diplomas, in one place.
- Stay informed: Check official websites regularly for updates, as rules can change quickly.
- Consider legal advice: A lawyer can help you avoid mistakes and make sure your application is complete.
- Practice for the TEF IRN: Use sample tests and study materials to get ready for the new format.
Case Example:
Let’s look at a real-life scenario. Maria, a nurse from Brazil, has lived in France 🇫🇷 for six years. She works in a hospital, which is a sector with a labor shortage. Maria speaks French well but needs to reach B2 level. She signs up for language classes and passes the TEF IRN. She signs the republican values contract and gathers all her work documents. After submitting her application, she attends an interview and waits 14 months before being invited to the citizenship ceremony. Maria’s case shows how the new rules work in practice: language skills, employment, and commitment to French values are all essential.
Conclusion
The reforms to French citizenship laws under the “Controlling Immigration While Improving Integration” law bring stricter requirements, especially for language skills and employment. Applicants must now show a higher level of French, sign a contract supporting republican values, and, in many cases, work in sectors with labor shortages. While the basic process remains the same, these changes make it more important than ever to prepare carefully and stay informed. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these reforms reflect France’s 🇫🇷 ongoing efforts to balance the need for integration with the realities of immigration and the country’s economic needs. For those seeking French citizenship, understanding and meeting these new requirements is the key to a successful application.
Learn Today
Naturalisation → The legal process by which a non-citizen becomes a citizen of a country.
B2 level → An upper-intermediate French language proficiency required to speak, understand, read, and write effectively.
TEF IRN → Test d’Évaluation de Français for Integration, Residence and Nationality assessing French language skills for citizenship.
Republican values → Core French principles including liberty, equality, secularism, and respect for human dignity.
Jus soli → Citizenship acquired by birth on a country’s territory, subject to specific legal conditions.
This Article in a Nutshell
France has reformed citizenship laws, raising language requirements to B2 and linking naturalisation to employment. Applicants must sign a contract endorsing republican values. New regulations affect children’s citizenship and focus strongly on integration, employment, and language skills, shaping future citizen eligibility and legal residence pathways.
— By VisaVerge.com
