Skip to content French immigration law No. 2024-42 of January 26th, 2024 changed the requirements for obtaining certain residence permits and for naturalization. The changes are effective from January 1st, 2026 and they mainly affect foreigners who wish to settle permanently in France.
The reform aims to standardize integration procedures. It focuses to align with French values and make integration a mandatory condition for long-term residency and citizenship.
French language requirement
First, authorities changed the French language proficiency level required for obtaining a multi-year residence permit or the French nationality.
Applicants must now provide a French language certificate as per Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
In details, first applicants for multi-year residence permit must possess a minimum A2 level. This applies only for first applications and not, for instance, to permit renewals.
For first applications for a resident card, the minimum level required is B1. For first applications for naturalization, instead, the minimum level is B2.
Civic examination
In addition to the language requirements, passing a civic examination becomes mandatory.
The exam covers five core areas: the principles and values of the French Republic; French institutions and the political system; rights and duties of residents; French history, geography and culture and the practical aspects of living in French society.
The examination is a digital, multiple-choice questionnaire in French language conducted at accredited centers. It lasts 45 minutes and requires a minimum score of 80%.
The authorities made available an official website for civic education through which applicants can prepare for the examination.
Categories affected and exemptions
The new measures apply to certain types of residence permits, including 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. The category of people affected are workers, entrepreneurs or self-employed professionals, beneficiaries of international protection, people holding family permits.
Furthermore, the measures apply to first resident cards (10 years) and to first applicants for naturalization.
An exemption to the requirements applies to people holding permits for medical reasons, applicants born in France with certain years of continues residence and schooling and to employees who completed one year of university studies in France.
Furthermore, the law excludes the talent and ICT category of workers.
Finally, the authorities applied specific exemptions for foreigners aged over 65, persons with disabilities preventing them to sit the French language test and cases in which the requested resident card falls under specific bilateral agreements.