France: Civic and Language Tests Now Required for Some Multi-Year Residence Permits, Residence Cards and French Citizenship
January 2, 2026
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At a Glance
- Effective January 1, 2026, French language and civic exam requirements for certain residence permit and naturalization applicants have been implemented.
- The requirements stem from the publication of the 2024 comprehensive immigration law.
- As a result, it will be more difficult for impacted foreign nationals to obtain residency or citizenship in France, particularly for applicants with limited French proficiency.
The situation
Effective January 1, 2026, language and civic exam requirements, stemming from the 2024 comprehensive immigration law, for certain multi-year residence permit, residence card and naturalization applicants have been implemented.
A closer look
Details of the language requirements are as follows:
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- Multi-year residence permits. Applicants for certain multi-year residence permits now need to prove at least an A2 level of French to be eligible for these statuses. Affected applicants include signatories of the Integration Republican Contract (CIR): salarié (local hire employees), vie privée et familiale (private and family life category), and entrepreneur/profession libérale (entrepreneurs; self-employed professionals in liberal professions); and those in regulated careers that require intellectual, technical or scientific expertise, such as lawyers, doctors and architects. Previously, multi-year residence permit applicants were only required to prove that they were learning French as part of a training program, offered by the French government or through other means.
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- Exemptions. These increased requirements do not apply to multi-year talent categories and intra-corporate transferees.
- Exemptions. These increased requirements do not apply to multi-year talent categories and intra-corporate transferees.
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- 10-year residency card. Applicants for the 10-year residency card must show French language proficiency at the B1 level, up from the current A2 level.
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- Exemptions. Beneficiaries of international agreements (such as Article 50 Treaty on European Union permit holders or refugees) are not subject to this new requirement.
- Exemptions. Beneficiaries of international agreements (such as Article 50 Treaty on European Union permit holders or refugees) are not subject to this new requirement.
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- French citizenship. Applicants seeking to obtain French citizenship (including through declaration of French nationality by marriage or reintegration) must show French language proficiency at the B2 level, up from the B1 level.
- Proof of proficiency. In order to prove their proficiency at the above levels, applicants can pass official tests, such as the Test of Knowledge (TCF) or DELF Diploma of French Language, provide a B1-level diploma or certificate, or show proof of sufficient French schooling. Further, the French language test should be taken at an approved examination center, unless the applicant can provide an official diploma or language certification.
- Multi-year residence permits. Applicants for certain multi-year residence permits now need to prove at least an A2 level of French to be eligible for these statuses. Affected applicants include signatories of the Integration Republican Contract (CIR): salarié (local hire employees), vie privée et familiale (private and family life category), and entrepreneur/profession libérale (entrepreneurs; self-employed professionals in liberal professions); and those in regulated careers that require intellectual, technical or scientific expertise, such as lawyers, doctors and architects. Previously, multi-year residence permit applicants were only required to prove that they were learning French as part of a training program, offered by the French government or through other means.
Details of the civic exam requirement are as follows:
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- Required individuals. Non-EU nationals are required to pass a civic exam to acquire a multi-year residence permit, a 10-year residence card or to obtain French citizenship.
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- Exemptions. Individuals who are renewing their multi-year residence permits or residence cards as well as beneficiaries of international agreements (such as Article 50 Treaty on European Union permit holders or refugees) are not subject to this new requirement. Foreign nationals aged 65 or older and persons with disabilities or chronic health conditions may also benefit from additional flexibilities or be exempted from these tests, depending on the circumstances. Further clarifications are expected on which other categories of applicants will be subject to the new civic requirement and under what conditions exemptions may apply.
- Exemptions. Individuals who are renewing their multi-year residence permits or residence cards as well as beneficiaries of international agreements (such as Article 50 Treaty on European Union permit holders or refugees) are not subject to this new requirement. Foreign nationals aged 65 or older and persons with disabilities or chronic health conditions may also benefit from additional flexibilities or be exempted from these tests, depending on the circumstances. Further clarifications are expected on which other categories of applicants will be subject to the new civic requirement and under what conditions exemptions may apply.
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- Details on exam. The exam is a 45-minute multiple choice exam administered at official examination centers where individuals must obtain a score of at least 80%. The exam is expected to test republican principles as well as the rights and duties of residents of France.
- Required individuals. Non-EU nationals are required to pass a civic exam to acquire a multi-year residence permit, a 10-year residence card or to obtain French citizenship.
Impact
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- Limitations on non-compliant individuals. Foreign nationals who do not fulfill the relevant language or civics requirements will not qualify for the relevant permit or citizenship. For example, individuals who do not fulfill the language requirements to apply for a multi-year residence permit will need to renew their temporary residence permit (with the three-time renewal limitation), limiting their duration of stay in France. This may decrease the available talent pool for employers in France, due to permit refusals or employment disruptions, unless in-country change of status is possible.
- Applications in progress. The new requirements should not apply to applications submitted prior to January 1, 2026, but there may be discrepancies in how different prefectures apply these new requirements, including for pending applications.
- Limitations on non-compliant individuals. Foreign nationals who do not fulfill the relevant language or civics requirements will not qualify for the relevant permit or citizenship. For example, individuals who do not fulfill the language requirements to apply for a multi-year residence permit will need to renew their temporary residence permit (with the three-time renewal limitation), limiting their duration of stay in France. This may decrease the available talent pool for employers in France, due to permit refusals or employment disruptions, unless in-country change of status is possible.
Background
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- Purpose. The intent of the new language and civic exam requirements is to increase the ability of foreign nationals seeking long-term residency or citizenship to integrate into French society.
- Legislative background. The 2024 comprehensive immigration law was published on January 27, 2024, which amended integration pathways and strengthened integration requirements to obtain certain residence permits and citizenship. However, some provisions, such as the language and civic examinations, did not immediately go into effect, and have been progressively implemented. The full implementation of the law went into effect on January 1, 2026.
- Purpose. The intent of the new language and civic exam requirements is to increase the ability of foreign nationals seeking long-term residency or citizenship to integrate into French society.
Looking ahead
These new requirements introduce additional steps for foreign nationals seeking long-term residence in France or naturalization. While these measures aim to reinforce integration, expecting applicants to have a solid understanding of French society, values, culture and language, they will also require businesses to anticipate potential impacts on workforce planning and compliance timelines.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
