France requires 80% on civic exam and B2 French for naturalisation

What changed under the 2024 immigration law

France's Jan. 26, 2024 immigration law introduced a mandatory civic exam and higher French-language thresholds for most long-term residence statuses. The implementing decree landed July 15, 2025, followed by a ministerial order Oct. 10, 2025, setting the program and procedures.

From Jan. 1, 2026, non-EU nationals applying for a first multi-year residence card, a first 10-year resident card or French naturalisation must pass the civic exam first. The 45-minute digital test asks 40 multiple-choice questions on Republican values, institutions, rights, history and daily life, with a 32-correct (80%) pass mark. The certificate is valid for life.

Language floors rose at the same time: A2 for a first multi-year card (up from A1), B1 for a first resident card (up from A2) and B2 for naturalisation (up from B1). Proof must come from recognised tests like TCF, TEF or DELF diplomas.

A separate bill adopted at first reading by the National Assembly on Dec. 11, 2025 would make renewal of multi-year and resident cards automatic if the administration stays silent for four months. The Senate hasn't voted, so it isn't law.

Who feels the new rules

Schengen short-stay tourists aren't affected. The civic exam and language rules apply only to residence cards and citizenship.

Long-stay expats, retirees and remote workers using the visa de long séjour (VLS-TS) or visitor card are squarely in scope once they renew into a multi-year card or push for a 10-year card. France still has no dedicated digital nomad visa, so financially independent remote workers typically ride the visitor track and inherit the same requirements.

Naturalisation tightened further under a 2025 Interior Ministry directive that told prefectures to demand employment contracts paying at least minimum wage (adjusted for family size) and to reject applicants with prior irregular status, on top of the five-year residence rule.

How to prepare before 2026 filings

Book a recognised language test early. B2 takes most learners months of structured study and prefectures won't accept attendance certificates.

Review the civic exam syllabus through the French Interior Ministry's prep portal before scheduling the test, since the certificate must be in hand before lodging the residence or naturalisation application.

Retirees on visitor status should gather pension and passive-income proof at current minimum-wage thresholds and settled residents awaiting renewal should track the automatic-renewal bill through the Senate for further visa updates.

Read our full France guide for the complete picture.