Latest news with #JournalOfficiel
Local France
a day ago
- Politics
- Local France
Do new French language rules affect ongoing citizenship applications?
In a decree published in July 2025, the French government announced that the new, stricter language requirements for French nationality applications - increasing the difficulty from B1 (lower intermediate) to B2 (upper intermediate) - will begin on January 1st, 2026 . The decree also outlined other changes, such as the introduction of a civics exam, which will be required for all citizenship applications. READ MORE: New law: What's changing and what's staying the same for French citizenship? While it is clear these changes are both set to come into effect from January 1st 2026, it was unclear whether they applied to only new applications or if ongoing ones would be affected as well. Advertisement Because of the lengthy processing times for French citizenship, there are many thousands of people who are waiting for a response to their application. In some cases applications were submitted several years ago. A spokesperson for the French interior ministry told The Local that ongoing applications will not be affected. The spokesperson added: "As the decree comes into force on January 1st, 2026, only applications submitted from that date onwards via the digital administration for foreign nationals in France will be subject to these requirements; language level of B2 and a written civics test. "Applications submitted between now and December 31st 2025 will be subject to current legislation." READ MORE: France confirms new written test for citizenship applications As for other changes expected in the future - like stricter language requirements for French residency cards due to come into effect by January 2026 at the latest - these are also expected to follow the same principle, but more details will be clear when a decree is published in France's Journal Officiel.
Local France
2 days ago
- Politics
- Local France
Revealed: Start date for new French language requirements
The French government has published confirmation of the start date for stricter language requirements for those applying for French nationality, as outlined in the 2024 immigration law. 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 . Advertisement 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.
Local France
7 days ago
- Business
- Local France
France offers aid to households for high-speed fibre internet
France's rollout of the high-speed fibre-optic internet network is almost complete, with the vast majority of homes now in an area with available fibre. But from September, financial assistance will be offered to households who are struggling to make the switchover from the older ADSL connection. A decree published in France's Journal Officiel on July 18th establishes financial assistance for fibre-optic connection work carried out between September 1st 2025 and May 31st 2027 in certain towns, villages and hamlets – including in areas where the existing copper network is due to be shut down by the end of January 2026. Further details here . Advertisement The ageing copper network is being slowly shut down, and – if targets are met – will be completely switched off by 2030. The Economy Ministry maintains an online interactive map , on which users can discover when shutdown is planned for their area, by entering their postcode. For households, assistance is available for primary residences only where 'a failure to connect to the fibre optic network must have been confirmed due to the need for work to be carried out on private property.' Assistance allocated is determined according to the nature of the work to be carried out, classified into three categories: 'small-scale,' 'medium-scale,' or 'major work.' By the end of December 2024, 91 percent of properties – 40.6 million – in France were connectable to the country's fibre-optic network, while four million premises still needed to be made connectable, according to figures published by administrative authority the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Electroniques, des Postes et de la Distribution de la Presse (Arcep) . It said that more than eight out of 10 internet subscriptions were to very high-speed networks at the end of last year, while three-quarters of internet subscriptions were to the fibre optic network. Households can check whether fibre optic networks are available in their area by entering their address on a dedicated page here .
CairoScene
14-07-2025
- Politics
- CairoScene
Egyptian MP Gihane Zaki Awarded France's Highest Civilian Honour
Recognised for her influence at the crossroads of archaeology, heritage, and diplomacy, MP Gihane Zaki is the latest Egyptian to receive France's highest civilian honour, the Légion d'Honneur Jul 14, 2025 France has awarded Egyptian MP and cultural diplomat Dr. Gihane Zaki with the Légion d'Honneur, the country's highest civilian distinction, by presidential decree. The honour, granted without application and based solely on nomination, acknowledges her longstanding contributions to cultural diplomacy and academic thought. Dr. Zaki was named Chevalier (Knight) in the decree published in France's Journal Officiel, joining an exclusive group of foreign recipients cited for upholding values such as peace and human dignity. The award ceremony traditionally takes place at the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris, reflecting the symbolic weight of the honour in French national life. As an archaeologist, academic, and former director of the Egyptian Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, Zaki has worked extensively on cultural heritage policies and intercultural exchange, both in government and global institutions. Her collaborations span organisations like UNESCO and ICCROM, with affiliations to the Sorbonne and Senghor University. The Légion d'Honneur was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. Past Egyptian recipients include Mahmoud Fakhry Pasha and Mona Zulficar. The award continues to underline France's cultural engagement with the Arab world, with recent honours also extending to figures from the UAE.
See - Sada Elbalad
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Macron Awards Egypt's Jehan Zaki France's Highest Civilian Honor
Mohamed Mandour French President Emmanuel Macron has awarded Egyptian parliamentarian and Egyptologist Dr. Jehan Zaki the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor), France's highest civilian distinction, in recognition of her distinguished contributions to culture, diplomacy, and the promotion of peace and intercultural understanding. The decision, published Monday in France's Journal Officiel, listed Dr. Zaki among a select group of international figures honored for dedicating their lives to the service of humanity and for upholding universal values such as knowledge, tolerance, and equality—beyond the boundaries of geography, ethnicity, or religion. A professor of ancient Egyptian civilization and a current member of Egypt's House of Representatives, Dr. Zaki was nominated for the honor by France's Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs. The award highlights her pivotal role in cultural diplomacy and her sustained efforts to foster dialogue between civilizations. Dr. Zaki has long served as a prominent intellectual voice representing Egyptian, Arab, and African cultural heritage on the global stage. Her advocacy has helped elevate Egypt's image as a soft power rooted in a deep and diverse civilizational legacy. A formal ceremony for the medal presentation is scheduled for the fall at the historic Légion d'honneur palace on the banks of the River Seine in Paris. The event is expected to draw high-ranking international and cultural figures. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
