New language tests for French residency cards: Eight key questions

People applying for or renewing many (but not all) types of French residency cards will be obliged to take a French test – and pass it – to stay in France according to rules set to come into force by January 1, 2026, at the latest. We answer eight key questions on this topic.

Who is affected by the new French language tests?

The new French tests for residency cards affect non-Europeans who have moved to France on certain long-stay visas for work or family reasons as well as people applying for French citizenship.

This includes Britons and Americans applying for certain cards.

Are Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cards affected by the new French language tests?

No. 

Renewals (and applications) for the five-year and 10-year Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cards are not affected by the new rules.

Read more: Renewing a Brexit WA residency card early in France

What are the new French language requirements for residency cards?

Applicants will have to demonstrate an A2 level of French language proficiency on the CEFR scale when applying for multi-year residency cards and B1 level for a 10-year carte de résident (up from A2).

At present those applying for so-called ‘multi-year’ cards (typically issued for four years) do not have to pass a test to obtain the card.

They merely have to have taken French lessons if they were asked to do so when signing a ‘Republican integration contract’. 

At present, they are only asked to take these lessons if initial assessments find them to have a level of less than A1 (very basic French). 

Similarly, those applying for French citizenship will now be required to prove a B2 level of French proficiency (up from B1 at present).

Note that at present only applications for naturalisation française par décret have been confirmed as affected by the new citizenship language tests, however applications by declaration could also be affected.

This point should be clarified when the government publishes its decree announcing the introduction of the new rules.

Do I have to agree to Republican values to get French residency?

An A2 level requires a basic understanding of the language. Speakers should be able to express themselves in short and simple sentences in a variety of situations. 

Applicants should also be able to describe themselves, refer to the past and explain future plans using basic grammar.

A B1 level is ‘lower intermediate’, with speakers able to express themselves in everyday situations and certain specialist situations using technical language and context-specific terms. 

Applicants should be able to understand most of what native speakers say and read texts and shorter novels with only moderate difficulty.

A B2 level is ‘upper intermediate’, with speakers able to engage in both concrete and abstract subjects, as well be able to have in-depth, technical conversations about their interests or job.

Applicants should be able to interact with native speakers with a degree of fluency and spontaneity without strain for either party and be able to read most texts and understand complex grammar.

Read more: Obligatory new French tests for some residency cards: is level too tough?

Which visas and residency cards are affected?

The visas and residency cards affected are those that require signing a ‘Republican integration contract’ (CIR), which is a contract with the French state in which a non-EU citizen pledges to uphold ‘republican’ values and to seek to integrate in France.

Read more: French residency cards: Key terms to know (and understand)

The affected cards are :

• Carte de séjour salarié (when applying for the ‘multi-year’ of these after having previously been in France under a VLS-TS or one or more one-year cards)

• Carte de séjour pour exercer une profession commerciale, industrielle ou artisanale (‘multi-year’)

• Carte de résident

• Certificat de résidence pour Algérien

• Multi-year carte de séjour vie privée et familiale (except for foreign nationals born in France with continuous residence in France for at least eight years and who attended school in France for at least 5 years after the age of 10)

Which residency cards are NOT affected?

Short-stay visas and temporary (one-year) residency cards without a requirement for applicants to sign a CIR. The application process for the following cards is not affected by the new language tests:

• Carte de séjour visiteur (valid up to one year but does not give right to work in France - often used by retired people)
• Carte de séjour mention ‘Accord de retrait du Royaume-Uni de L’UE’
• Carte de séjour étudiant (for students, valid up to one year with limited right to work in France)
• Carte de séjour stagiaire (for people on apprenticeships, valid up to one year with limited right to work in France)
• Carte de séjour travailleur temporaire (for workers, valid up to one year)
• Carte de séjour passeport talent/passeport talent (famille) (for skilled workers, investors, researchers and certain artists, valid up to one year)
• Carte de séjour travailleur saisonnier (for seasonal workers, valid up to three years, allows work for six months per year)
• Carte de séjour salarié détaché ICT/salarié détaché ICT (famille)/salarié détaché mobile ICT/salarié détaché mobile ICT (famille) (for workers from foreign companies while working in France, valid up to three years)

What do the French language tests involve?

Applicants will have to provide a certificate from an approved language test, such as a TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) or a DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) with their application. 

These tests have speaking, listening and writing sections as well as a short presentation or mock interview.

For example, a DELF B1 test (to prove a B1 level of French) involves:

Speaking: Three exercises - listen to documents and answer questions about them (25 minutes)

Listening: Two exercises - read documents and answer questions about them (45 minutes)

Writing: One exercise - write one text of 160 words minimum (45 minutes)

Oral presentation: Three exercises - do a mock interview, express a point of view and participate in a roleplay (10 minutes preparation then 15 minutes)

Those required to take the test will likely have to pay for it themselves, with the cost estimated at around €100. The tests can be taken at accredited testing centres in France and abroad. 

The TCF language certificates are typically valid for two years. DELF certificates do not expire.

What happens if an applicant fails the test?

The tests can be repeated. However, applicants will have to provide a certificate of their language level with their visa or residency card application, which means scheduling a repeat test could prove difficult.

Failure to meet the language requirement may result in an application being denied or only being granted for a shorter duration. 

Are there any age or other exemptions to the language tests?

The existing exemption from the language tests for over-65s applying for a carte de résident will be maintained.

As now, for a carte de résident or French citizenship, people whose disabilities or health conditions make it difficult to take an ordinary test may either be offered an 'adapted' version of the test, or be exempt if they are unable to take any test.