France Raises French-Language Requirement for Naturalisation to B2 in 2026
France
In short. Since 1 Jan 2026, France requires French level B2 (up from B1) plus a civic exam for citizenship, with new A2/B1 thresholds for residence permits.
- Since 1 January 2026, the French level required for naturalisation rose from B1 to B2 (spoken and written).
- A new civic exam was introduced alongside it: 40 questions, at least 32 correct answers (80%) needed.
- Requirements are now tiered: A2 for a first multi-year residence permit, B1 for a first 10-year resident card, B2 for citizenship.
- The change applies to first-time issuance, not renewal of an existing status.
- The legal basis is Decree No. 2025-648 of 15 July 2025, implementing Law No. 2024-42 of 26 January 2024.
What changed
Since 1 January 2026, France requires a higher level of French for naturalisation: level B2 on the CEFR scale (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), both spoken and written, instead of the previous B1, which was mostly checked orally. The change comes from Decree No. 2025-648 of 15 July 2025, which implements Law No. 2024-42 of 26 January 2024 on immigration control and integration. Two implementing orders (arrêtés) of 22 December 2025 set out the accepted proof documents and the verification procedure in more detail.
Alongside the language requirement, a new civic exam was introduced: a computer-based test of 40 multiple-choice questions across five themes (French history, culture, values and society), requiring at least 80% correct answers — 32 out of 40 — to pass. The civic exam is not limited to naturalisation: from 1 January 2026 it is also required for a first multi-year residence permit and a first resident card.
French-language requirements now differ by type of document:
| Document | Before 1 January 2026 | From 1 January 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle, 2–4 years), first issuance | no separate language requirement | A2 |
| Resident card (carte de résident, 10 years), first issuance | A2 | B1 |
| French citizenship (naturalisation, reinstatement, declaration by marriage) | B1, mostly spoken | B2, spoken and written |
This is part of a broader European trend: more countries now tie naturalisation not only to years of legal residence, but also to demonstrated language proficiency and civic integration.
Who this affects
The new B2 requirement applies to applicants seeking French citizenship by decree (naturalisation or reinstatement) or by declaration through marriage to a French citizen (Article 21-2 of the Civil Code). The intermediate A2 and B1 thresholds apply to people applying for a first multi-year residence permit or a first resident card — including many Ukrainians who move from temporary protection to standard residence statuses in France.
The requirement applies specifically to first-time issuance of a document. If you already hold a valid resident card or multi-year permit, you do not need to prove the new language level to renew that same status. Exemptions exist for people with a documented health condition or disability that objectively prevents taking the test, and for refugees or stateless persons over 70 who have lived in France for at least 15 years with a valid residence permit.
What to do now
- Work out which procedure applies to you — a multi-year permit (A2), a resident card (B1), or citizenship (B2) — and which level you need to prove.
- Assess your current French level; if it's below what's required, start classes early, since preparing for B2 usually takes considerably longer than for B1.
- Prepare official proof: a TCF (Test de connaissance du français) certificate from France Éducation International or a TEF (Test d'évaluation de français) certificate from CCI Paris Île-de-France, issued within the last 2 years, or a recognised French diploma.
- If your procedure includes the civic exam, book it at an approved centre and prepare for the 40-question test.
- If your citizenship application was complete and filed by 31 December 2025, the previous B1 requirement generally still applies — but if documents were missing and you submit them after 1 January 2026, your case may fall under the new rules.
- Before submitting anything, check the current requirements with your prefecture, the French consulate, or the official service-public.gouv.fr portal — application details can vary by region and individual situation.
Common mistakes
- Relying on outdated information that B1 is still enough for naturalisation — since 1 January 2026 it no longer is.
- Confusing the thresholds for different documents: A2 for a multi-year permit, B1 for a resident card, B2 for citizenship are separate requirements for separate procedures.
- Submitting a TCF or TEF certificate that is more than 2 years old — it will not be accepted.
- Forgetting about the civic exam — a language certificate alone doesn't always cover all the new requirements.
- Assuming that renewing an existing residence permit also requires new proof of French — the requirement applies only to first-time issuance.
Rules change frequently — before taking any action, always check the current requirements on the official government source linked above.
Official sources
Questions
- What is level B2 and how does it differ from B1?
- B2 is the "independent user" level on the CEFR scale: you can understand complex texts, communicate fluently on abstract topics, and write well-structured text. B1 is the lower "threshold" level, covering everyday communication and simple texts. Since 1 January 2026, French citizenship requires B2, checked both orally and in writing, whereas the previous B1 requirement was checked mostly orally.
- Does the new requirement apply to applications already filed?
- If your citizenship application was complete and filed by 31 December 2025, the previous B1 requirement generally still applies. If your earlier application was missing documents and you submitted them after 1 January 2026, it falls under the new B2 rules. All applications filed from 1 January 2026 onward are assessed exclusively under the new requirements.
- Which documents are accepted as proof of B2?
- The most common options are a TCF (Test de connaissance du français) certificate from France Éducation International or a TEF (Test d'évaluation de français) certificate from CCI Paris Île-de-France, issued within the last 2 years, a DELF B2 or DALF diploma, or a recognised French diploma at least equivalent to the brevet des collèges. The exact list is set out in the implementing orders of 22 December 2025.
- Does the B2 requirement also apply to residence permits, not just citizenship?
- No — residence permits have lower thresholds: A2 for a first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle, 2–4 years) and B1 for a first resident card (carte de résident, 10 years). B2 applies specifically to acquiring French citizenship.