People applying for many (but not all) types of French residency cards will soon have to prove their language level, with rules set to come into force by January 1, 2026, at the latest.
Many employees and self-employed people, for example, will have to demonstrate an A2 level of French language proficiency on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) scale when applying for multi-year residency cards and B1 level for a 10-year carte de résident (up from A2).
These tests do not apply to British WA 'Brexit card' holders although, depending on the circumstances, Britons moving to France can be required to prove their French level.
The Connexion has published articles explaining the different CEFR levels and providing example exam questions, as well as answering eight key questions about the language requirements for certain residency cards - including who is affected by these new rules.
We now break down the different ways of officially proving your language level, as recognised by the Ministry of the Interior, and share the advantages of each.
Obtain a language certificate
A popular way of proving your language level is by obtaining a certificate. Currently, the only officially-recognised tests are:
They do not result in a pass or fail result, but rather provide a level on the CEFR scale by testing reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
The final certificate is only valid for two years and those required to take the test will have to pay for it themselves, with the cost estimated at around €100.
Since October 1, 2024, your TEF training and exam could be funded by France Compétences via your Compte Personnel de Formation (CPF).
Note that if you are disabled or chronically ill, special arrangements can be made before sitting a language test or you may be completely exempt from the requirement to prove your French level.
Read also: French residency cards and obligatory new language tests: list of online resources to help
Language certificates must be issued by a government-recognised organisation and prove written and oral proficiency at CEFR A2 level or above (oral expression must be assessed in a face-to-face interview).
The test should also be taken within two years prior to a residency card application, at an accredited examination centre.
Read also: Immigration chief replies to Connexion over French residency cards and ‘hard’ language tests
Obtain a relevant language diploma
Various French educational diplomas at an appropriate level are also accepted.
For most language diplomas, you must select which CEFR level you are aiming for, resulting in a pass or fail result. Once obtained, the certificates are valid for life.
DUEF
The diplôme universitaire d'études françaises (DUEF) is awarded by the Association of Directors of University Centers for French Studies for foreigners. Courses are available for all CEFR language levels.
According to their website, DUEFs offer “high-quality language teaching, combining theoretical and practical courses [that] enable students to immerse themselves in a French university environment.”
The courses are generally aimed at those preparing to study at a French university (over the age of 18) and who have at least the equivalent of a baccalauréat (secondary school diploma) from their own country.
Depending on the educational institution, the programme can be completed over one or two semesters of roughly 200 hours of training with regular work assessed by continuous assessment.
The cost of these language courses are estimated at an average of €2,000, however you are provided with teaching and training to help you succeed.
DUEF schools and centres can be found across France.
French Language Degrees from Sorbonne University
The French government website states that French language degrees from Sorbonne University can also be used to prove your language level, however no direct links to relevant courses are provided.
You should always double check with the provider before enrolling in a course or exam, that it is approved for use to confirm your French level for a residency card application.
The Sorbonne University offers language certificates for CEFR levels B1 and above.
The exams are open to all, with the B1 programme aimed at all foreign nationals who are beginning to make progress in learning French.
The B1 exam lasts roughly two hours and 30 minutes, testing skills in grammar and spelling, reading, writing, listening and speaking. Each section is graded out of 20 and the pass mark is 50/100. However, a mark of less than 4/20 in any of the sections would result in a fail, regardless of the average score.
Sample questions and further resources are available on the Sorbonne site.
The Sorbonne exams can be sat in France or abroad, and cost:
B1 - B2: €150
C1 - C2: €160
DFP
The diplôme de français professionnel (DFP) is issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a way of developing your language skills for professional contexts.
The diploma is split into four different sectors, with the available CEFR levels differing slightly for each:
This could be an option to consider if you already have a solid foundation in French and are interested in validating your residency card language requirements while also boosting your CV - perhaps if you own a business or are interested in working in international journalism or the hospitality industry.
No previous degree or diploma is required to sit the exam.
The length of the exam varies from between one hour to two hours and 35 minutes, depending on the professional sector and language level being assessed.
Each exam features an online assessment (writing, reading, listening), followed by an in-person oral interview. Test areas could include:
Responding to customer comments on a forum
Drawing up a plan for a guided tour
Writing the promotional text for a tourist offer
Welcoming and advising a customer
Taking an order
The official website also offers sample questions and resources to help prepare for the DFP exam, and each professional ‘sector’ comes with a downloadable handbook.
Assessment centres can be found across France and abroad. The estimated price for lower level exams is roughly €160, however registration fees are set by the examination centre and so may vary.
DELF/DALF
The diplôme d'études en langue française (DELF) covers CEFR levels A1-B2 and the diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF) covers the more advanced levels, C1 and C2. Both certificates are approved by France Éducation International.
The Ministry of the Interior also mentions the diplôme d'études en langue française professionnelle (DELF Pro), however France Éducation international suspended this particular programme in 2022. If you obtained a DELF Pro diploma prior to this date, it should still be accepted as a way of proving your language level.
The test questions are tailored to each specific level and themes covering all aspects of society (public, personal, professional or educational) can be evoked in the DELF/DALF exam.
France Éducation International offers DELF resources that can be filtered by target level, including practical information, FAQs and example subjects for written and oral expression.
Full DELF details and example exercises can be found in the candidate handbook.
PrepMyFuture offers further resources and reports that on average, examination centres in France offer the following prices for DELF/DALF tout public:
A1 - A2: €90
B1 - B2: €100
C1 - C2: €130
DCL
The diplôme de compétence linguistique (DCL) is issued by the Ministry of National Education upon assessing language skills for use in professional environments.
The DCL is intended for anyone wishing to have their language skills officially recognised. The exam is open to all, regardless of age, nationality, previous training, diplomas or professional activity.
Unlike other educational diplomas, candidates do not have to choose the target CEFR language level when they register for the exam.
In the context of residency cards, there are two DCL diplomas available:
The FLE test lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes (only 1 hour and 30 minutes for FP) and consists of a case study involving a series of varied tasks (listening, reading, writing, speaking) based on a particular professional scenario.
Sample questions and resources, including tips on understanding the exam format are available here. Accredited DCL formation centres are also a way of ensuring you are properly prepared.
The registration fee is €100 and assessment centres are located across France.
Have a 'level three' national professional degree
You can also prove your language level through holding a national French degree with a level three ranking (at least) in ‘la nomenclature nationale des niveaux de formation’.
This includes French school diplomas such as the baccalauréat, for people who moved to France at a young age.
Diplomas and degrees include:
Certificat d'aptitude professionnelle (CAP) - Level 3
Brevet d'études professionnelles (BEP) - Level 3
Certificat de formation générale (CFG) - Level 3
Baccalauréat - Level 4
Brevet professionnel (BP) - Level 4
Diplôme d'études universitaires générales - Level 5
Brevet de technicien supérieur - Level 5
Diplôme universitaire de technologie - Level 5
Diplôme d'études universitaires scientifiques et techniques - Level 5
Licence or licence professionnelle - Level 6
Bachelor universitaire de technologie - Level 6
Master - Level 7
Diplôme d'études approfondies - Level 7
Diplôme d'études supérieures spécialisées - Level 7
Diplôme d'ingénieur - Level 7
Doctorat - Level 8
Habilitation à diriger des recherches - Level 8
If in doubt, you can check whether a professional title or diploma is registered in the répertoire national des certifications professionnelles (RNCP), and if so, it can also be used to prove your language level - even if the certification is unrelated to learning French.
Note that diplomas must have been issued by France. If ‘equivalent’ degrees were issued by a foreign authority or country, even French-speaking, they are not accepted.
Read also: Obligatory new French tests for some residency cards: is level too tough?
