Effective January 1, 2026, the French Ministry of the Interior has implemented new mandatory requirements, including a formal civic exam and increased language proficiency standards, that will fundamentally change the application process for multi-year residence permits, resident cards, and naturalization.
Below is an overview of these critical updates to help you and your workforce navigate the new compliance pathway.
The New French Civic Exam: A Mandatory Requirement
Born from the law of January 26, 2024, the “Examen Civique” is now a prerequisite for any non-EU national applying for their first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle), a 10-year resident card (carte de résident), or French citizenship.
Exam Format and Content
The exam is a digital, multiple-choice test conducted at accredited centers. It is designed to ensure that residents have a comprehensive understanding of French society and its republican values.
- Duration: 45 minutes.
- Total Questions: 40 multiple-choice questions.
- Pass Mark: A minimum score of 80% (32 out of 40 correct answers) is required.
- Key Themes: Questions cover five core areas:
- Principles and values of the Republic (e.g., Laïcité, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity).
- French institutions and the political system.
- Rights and duties of residents.
- French history, geography, and culture.
- Practical aspects of living in French society (e.g., healthcare, education, work).
- Language: The exam is administered entirely in French.
Elevated French Language Standards
In tandem with the civic exam, the 2026 reforms have raised the bar for French language proficiency across several permit categories.
| Application Type | New Required CEFR Level | Previous Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Year Residence Permit | A2 (Basic) | A1 or informal assessment |
| 10-Year Resident Card | B1 (Intermediate) | A2 |
| Naturalization | B2 (Upper Intermediate) | B1 |
Important Note: Simply attending language classes is no longer sufficient; applicants must now provide an official diploma (such as the DELF) or a certificate from a recognized test (like the TCF) to prove their level.
Who is Affected?
The new rules primarily target non-EU nationals seeking to move from temporary (one-year) status to more permanent residency.
- Subject to New Rules: Signatories of the Integration Republican Contract (CIR), including local hire employees (salarié), private and family life applicants, and entrepreneurs.
- Exemptions: EU/EEA citizens, UK nationals under the Withdrawal Agreement, and certain “Talent Passport” holders during their initial application phase are typically exempt. Additionally, applicants over 65 or those with specific medical conditions may qualify for exemptions or modified testing arrangements.
Strategic Considerations for Employers and Individuals
For global mobility managers and assignees, these changes introduce new timelines and costs into the relocation process.
- Preparation is Key: The Ministry of the Interior has launched a dedicated platform (https://formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr/) featuring 222 thematic sheets to help applicants prepare.
- Budgeting and Timelines: Employers should account for exam fees (ranging from €100 to €200 for language tests) and build an additional 4–6 weeks into assignment planning to allow for test scheduling and processing.
- Compliance Risk: Failing to meet these standards may result in the issuance of a one-year “probationary” permit rather than the desired long-term status, leading to continued administrative uncertainty.
As France moves toward a more “performance-based” immigration model, demonstrating active integration through language and civic knowledge is no longer optional—it is a cornerstone of a successful long-term stay.
