Foreigners wishing to live in France will soon have to meet stricter language requirements before being granted residency permits, raising concerns about whether the new rules are too demanding.
In 2024, 336,710 foreigners received their first residence permit in France, signing a republican integration contract that required them to commit to learning French—without needing to pass an exam. However, this is set to change with Law No. 2024-42, adopted in January 2024, which is expected to take effect in January 2026. Under the new regulations, foreign nationals applying for a resident card will need to prove a higher level of proficiency in French. The government argues that these changes are necessary for proper integration.
Stricter language requirements
The new rules introduce varying levels of language proficiency depending on the type of permit being sought. Those applying for a residence card valid for two to four years must demonstrate an A2 level of proficiency under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This level includes understanding simple sentences and engaging in basic conversations on everyday topics. The threshold increases to B1 for a 10-year carte de séjour, a standard that requires comprehension of clear, standard speech and the ability to write about familiar subjects. Applicants for French nationality will need to meet an even higher requirement, with the level rising from B1 to B2, which involves understanding complex texts and engaging in more detailed discussions.
Concerns over the difficulty of the tests
A recent investigation by France 2’s L’Œil du 20h, aired on 11th February, has raised concerns that the new language tests may be too difficult for many foreigners. L’Œil du 20h conducted an experiment in which 10 native French speakers, including a literature student with a Master’s degree, took the B1-level exam under real conditions. Over 90 minutes, they answered questions based on audio recordings. Shockingly, five of the 10 participants failed the written portion, while two did not score high enough to qualify for their own nationality.
Félix Guyon, General Delegate of the THOT school for refugees and asylum seekers, has warned that the level required is far too high for most foreigners seeking naturalisation or a long-stay permit in France. Many organisations assisting immigrants argue that even well-integrated non-native speakers will face significant challenges in passing.
Fears over accessibility and fairness
One major issue is the reduction in available language training. An anonymous official from the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) revealed to the programme that in-person courses are now only offered to a small minority, with most applicants expected to learn via an online platform. Those who fail to meet the required level within three years could face deportation.
Nearly 20,000 immigrants may struggle to renew their residence permits, while around 40,000 could be denied a resident card altogether due to the language requirement. Experts predict that between 15,000 and 20,000 multi-year residence permits could be refused annually for those who signed an integration contract but failed to meet the new standards.
With these stricter language requirements set to take effect in 2026, advocacy groups and legal experts are calling for a review of the policy to ensure that it does not disproportionately exclude long-term residents who contribute to French society but struggle with the language component.
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