Will stricter language tests for some French residency cards start in July 2025?

New applicants for French citizenship and certain multi-year residency cards are due to face tougher language tests.

However the date that these changes will come in is not yet known amid current political uncertainty.

Changes included in the 2024 immigration bill (passed last January) must be brought in by decree by January 1, 2026 at the latest, according to the law itself. 

One year on and the language rules included in the bill are yet to be brought in, with no clear indication of when the changes will be implemented.

What are the new language rules?

The main changes regarding language rules included: 

• Cartes de séjour pluriannuelles applicants needing A2 French (compared to A1 currently) 

• Cartes de résident applicants needing B1 French (compared to A2 currently)

• CItizenship applicants needing B2 French (compared to B1 currently)

Read more: New tougher French language rules for immigration: who is affected?

These levels relate to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale, which you can read more about below. 

In all cases, the tougher restrictions relate to an increase in proficiency, with A2 being a strong basic level of France, B1 being lower-intermediate, and B2 upper-intermediate.

Read more: A1, C2: What is the CEFR language rating in France?

With regard to citizenship applications, strictly speaking, the wording in the bill only relates to applications for naturalisation par décret - the standard route, involving living in France at least five years and being integrated in the community. 

It is unclear whether the new higher level will also be extended to those applying by déclaration, due to family links, including marriage. 

We note, however, that France’s existing immigration laws in both cases state that the applicants must have a “sufficient” level of French, with the details left to be clarified by decree.

At present both kinds of application require level B1, so it is possible the decree will clarify that both now require B2.

Political instability affecting rollout?

In October 2024, the then-minister for citizenship Othman Nasrou said he had asked prefectures across France to implement the tougher language rules ‘as a trial’ form in July 2025, ahead of the January 2026 deadline. 

He made the comments in an interview with French media outlet Le Parisien (paywall article).

However, Mr Nasrou no longer holds this role, having left when the government of former prime minister Michel Barnier was toppled by a vote of no confidence in December.

No information has been provided by the ministry up to this point as to whether this ‘trial’ period is still set to come into force.

Changes need to be officially announced via a decree in the Journal Officiel.

Applications submitted prior to this currently still follow the old rules, including language requirements. The decree will state when the new rules are effective from.

In addition to the new ministerial make-up, a new immigration bill is expected to be drafted in early 2025 before being debated in parliament.

The bill could possibly overwrite some contents of the old bill before it even comes into effect, including the introduction of even tougher language requirements than those included in the 2024 version.

Current Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is known for hardline views on immigration, and is expected to heavily influence the contents of the new bill. 

Read more: What changes are proposed in the planned new French immigration law?

To pass, the bill would need either the support of the left-wing Nouveau Front Populaire alliance – extremely unlikely to support tougher restrictions on any part of the bill – or the far-right Rassemblement National. 

However, the far-right is aware of the influence they hold in the matter, and may leverage even further concessions before backing the bill.

The Connexion publishes several in-depth help guides on key topics in France, including one explaining French visas and residency cards, which also looks at changes related to the 2024 immigration bill. The guide is available to purchase here.