Revealed: Start date for new French language requirements
The decree, published in the country's
Journal Officiel
on July 15th, specified that all applications for French nationality from
January 1st, 2026
, will need to show a minimum B2 (upper intermediate) level in French on
the CERL scale
, a step up from the previous B1 (lower intermediate) level.
READ MORE:
How long does it take for your French to reach A2, B1 or B2 level?
The new rules will apply to all applications, meaning requests based on residency and marriage will both be affected, as previously
reported by The Local
.
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Applicants will still be able to prove their language level via
a language test
- either the
diplôme
(diploma) or an
attestation de réussite
(test score).
Medical exemptions will still be available for those with disabilities who are unable to take a test, but there is no broad age-related exemption for over-65s.
READ MORE:
Who is exempt from France's new language test rules?
The decree also clarified that those who earned higher education degrees in France will still be able to use this as proof of language level, but foreign higher education degrees taught in French will no longer suffice as proof of language level.
The new language requirements for French citizenship are part of a broad-ranging immigration law that was passed in January 2024.
Some sections of the law are already in effect, but until now it has been unclear exactly when the new language requirements would take effect - although the law itself states a cut-off date of January 1st 2026.
The decree from July 15th applies only to applications for citizenship - language requirements for residency cards are also changing, but so far there is no confirmed start date for these changes, although we know that it cannot be later than January 1st, 2026.
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