France’s 2026 Residency Changes: Language Levels + New Civic Exam

There are some important updates coming for anyone planning to apply for long-term residency in France. Beginning January 1, 2026, France is implementing new residency requirements for all non-EU citizens. These rules affect long-stay visas, multi-year residency cards, and future applications for permanent residency.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what will change:

1️⃣ No French required for the first year

Your first year in France — whether on a VLS-TS or renewing for a one-year carte de séjour — does not require a language test.
This applies to all ages and all visa categories.

2️⃣ A new mandatory civic exam for long-term residency

Starting in 2026, France will introduce a required civic knowledge exam as part of the OFII integration pathway.
This exam checks:

• understanding of French values,

• the principles of the Republic,

• basic knowledge of civic life in France.

The material is based on Le Livret du Citoyen.
This is a significant change, because the civic component will now be an exam you must pass, not just a class you attend.

3️⃣ A2 French required for the multi-year residency card

When you apply for the carte pluriannuelle (usually after your first year — or after 5 years for visitor visas), you will need A2 level French, which is basic conversational French.

4️⃣ B1 French required for the 10-year residency card

The long-term, 10-year carte de résident will require B1 French, a level of everyday working fluency.

5️⃣ B2 French required for French nationality

Applicants for French citizenship will be required to demonstrate B2 French, upper-intermediate fluency.

6️⃣ What about people over 65?

Some prefectures currently exempt people over 65 from language testing for long-term cards — but these exemptions vary across France. The national rules for 2026 have not yet been clarified, so this may still depend on your prefecture.

Resources to help you prepare

If you’re planning ahead, here are two helpful tools:

• Le Livret du Citoyen (for the civic exam)

• The official French residency page

• A detailed overview of the 2026 requirements here:

​https://www.immigration.interieur.gouv.fr/Integration-et-Acces-a-la-nationalite/La-nationalite-francaise/Le-livret-du-citoyen​

​https://frenchconnectionshcb.com/resources/the-complete-guide-to-french-visa-and-residency-language-requirements/​

​https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2208​

More information will be published by the French government as we approach 2026.

If France is part of your future, I hope this helps you plan your next steps with confidence. 🇫🇷✨ Make sure you stay up to date with new laws so you have no surprises for your relocation!

Here is a brief pdf download for you with the above information summarized which you can print:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cPPc8AHFeP85hwV9fdz2u_Ozp8GrR9iP/view?usp=sharing

Merci!