Stricter conditions for obtaining residence permits from January 1, 2026
Civic examination and French language proficiency diploma: which changes for foreigners in France starting January 1st, 2026
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 20 of the Immigration law No. 2024-42 of January 26th, 2024, which we analyzed in our previous newsletter (impacts on professional mobility), the requirements for obtaining certain residence permits and for naturalization change as from January 1st, 2026 for foreign nationals wishing to settle permanently in France.
What are the changes?
Passing the civic examination becomes mandatory for any first application for a multi-year residence permit (multi-year residence card or permanent resident card). This examination takes the form of a multiple-choice questionnaire consisting of 40 questions written in French and lasting 45 minutes. The pass mark is set at 80%.
The official website for civic education is now available and allows applicants to prepare for the examination using thematic fact sheets.
The required level of French language proficiency for obtaining a multi-year resident permit or French nationality is also evolving. Applicants must now provide a certificate attesting to their level of French in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (Article R433-5 of the CESEDA):
- For first applications for a multi-year residence permit: minimum level A2. This requirement applies upon first access to the multi-year residence permit. If the applicant already holds a 2-year residence permit, they will not be required to justify level A2 when renewing their permit.
- For first applications for a resident card: minimum level B1.
- For first applications for naturalization: minimum level B2.
These levels must be validated by official tests such as the TCF, DELF, or an equivalent national diploma.
Who is affected by these new requirements?
These new measures will apply to the issuance of certain residence permits, including in particular:
A/ First multi-year residence permit (2 to 4 years), issued after a first year of residence under a long-stay visa or a temporary residence permit (Article L433-4 of the CESEDA):
- “Private and family life”. Exception: residence permits issued for medical reasons OR to foreign nationals born in France with continuous residence in France for at least 8 years and schooling for at least 5 years after the age of 10 in a French educational institution.
- “Employee” (except where the employee has already completed one year of university studies in France)
- “Entrepreneur / self-employed professional
- ”Beneficiaries of international protection
B/ First resident card (10 years):
- Spouse of a French national
- Parent of a French child
- Family reunification
- Resident card issued to the spouse and children under 18 of a resident card holder
- EU long-term resident card for “Talent” permit holders and their family members, refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, etc.
- Permanent resident card
C/ First application for naturalisation
What are the exceptions?
Residence permits covered by Article L413-5 of the CESEDA are not subject to the Republican integration process, notably the “Talent” and “ICT” categories are exempted.
Furthermore, the decree of July 15th, 2025, the ministerial order of July 22nd, 2025, and the ministerial order of October 10th, 2025 specify exemptions from these measures for:
- Foreign nationals aged over 65.
- Persons with disabilities making it impossible to sit the French language test.
- Cases where the requested resident card falls under certain bilateral agreements.
Our immigration team remains at your disposal should you require any further clarification regarding the implementation of these new provisions.
Sources:
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000049040245
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000051900489
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000052008894
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000052381620
https://formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr/
