France’s long-anticipated integration tests are no longer just theory—they are now a pre-requisite for many foreign residents. From 1 January 2026, applicants for most multi-year cartes de séjour (excluding Passeport Talent categories), the 10-year resident card and French citizenship must: 1) prove French-language ability (A2 for standard multi-year cards, B1 for resident cards, B2 for naturalisation) and 2) pass a 40-question multiple-choice civics examination covering republican values, everyday life and France’s role in Europe.
The measure flows from the 2024 comprehensive immigration law and two implementation decrees of 15 July 2025. Until now, demonstrating “efforts” to learn French was enough for multi-year status and the prefecture’s assimilation interview sufficed for citizenship. As of this week, only official test scores or recognised diplomas will be accepted, and the prefecture will refuse files that lack the civics-exam certificate. Exemptions are narrow: Talent-Passport permit holders, holders of international agreements, refugees, renewals and certain elderly or disabled applicants are spared the new hurdles.
To navigate the new requirements smoothly, both individuals and HR departments can rely on the online services of VisaHQ. Through its France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/), VisaHQ helps applicants secure test dates, book exam slots, gather recognised language certificates and prepare prefecture-ready application files—streamlining the process and reducing the risk of costly refusals.
![France Activates Mandatory French-Language & Civics Exams for Long-Term Residence and Naturalisation]()
For employers this is more than red tape. Foreign staff who cannot secure the required language level risk remaining on short-term permits limited to three renewals, creating retention headaches and extra renewal costs. HR teams should audit affected assignees immediately, budget for exam fees (about €150–€250 per attempt) and build four-to-six-month buffers into assignment timelines to secure test slots.
The shift also creates regional disparities. While Paris has several test centres, smaller prefectures offer monthly sittings at best; missed slots can push filings well past assignment start dates. Companies should therefore consider relocating staff temporarily to test-rich cities or sponsoring intensive language courses. Looking ahead, immigration advisors expect further clarification on exemptions, especially for scientific professionals whose credentials are already recognised in French law.
In the medium term, the government argues that higher linguistic standards will improve labour-market integration. Multinationals, however, fear a smaller talent pool and will watch refusal rates closely. For now the message is clear: no French, no long-term future in France.
The measure flows from the 2024 comprehensive immigration law and two implementation decrees of 15 July 2025. Until now, demonstrating “efforts” to learn French was enough for multi-year status and the prefecture’s assimilation interview sufficed for citizenship. As of this week, only official test scores or recognised diplomas will be accepted, and the prefecture will refuse files that lack the civics-exam certificate. Exemptions are narrow: Talent-Passport permit holders, holders of international agreements, refugees, renewals and certain elderly or disabled applicants are spared the new hurdles.
To navigate the new requirements smoothly, both individuals and HR departments can rely on the online services of VisaHQ. Through its France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/), VisaHQ helps applicants secure test dates, book exam slots, gather recognised language certificates and prepare prefecture-ready application files—streamlining the process and reducing the risk of costly refusals.
For employers this is more than red tape. Foreign staff who cannot secure the required language level risk remaining on short-term permits limited to three renewals, creating retention headaches and extra renewal costs. HR teams should audit affected assignees immediately, budget for exam fees (about €150–€250 per attempt) and build four-to-six-month buffers into assignment timelines to secure test slots.
The shift also creates regional disparities. While Paris has several test centres, smaller prefectures offer monthly sittings at best; missed slots can push filings well past assignment start dates. Companies should therefore consider relocating staff temporarily to test-rich cities or sponsoring intensive language courses. Looking ahead, immigration advisors expect further clarification on exemptions, especially for scientific professionals whose credentials are already recognised in French law.
In the medium term, the government argues that higher linguistic standards will improve labour-market integration. Multinationals, however, fear a smaller talent pool and will watch refusal rates closely. For now the message is clear: no French, no long-term future in France.
