What Level of French for French Citizenship in 2026 - Guide Aligned with Service-Public

If you're aiming for French citizenship through naturalisation or through a marriage-based declaration, you're probably asking the same question as thousands of other applicants: what level of French do you actually need, how do you prove it, and what changed with the reform that took effect on 1 January 2026.

This guide pulls together the current requirements, strictly aligned with Service-Public (the French government's official information portal) and with the underlying legal texts: required level, accepted proofs, exemptions, and the new 2026 procedure (which now includes a separate civic exam alongside the language requirement).

Since 1 January 2026, to obtain French citizenship through naturalisation by decree ("naturalisation par décret") or through a marriage-based declaration ("déclaration à raison du mariage"), you must show a French level of at least B2 on the CEFR scale (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), in both speaking and writing. Before 2026, the threshold was B1. Proof can be provided by a French diploma or a diploma recognised as equivalent, or by a certificate of success on a recognised language test. Service-Public explicitly mentions the TCF certificate issued less than 2 years ago by France Éducation International (FEI), and the TEF certificate issued less than 2 years ago by the CCI Paris Île-de-France. The 2026 reform also introduced a civic exam in multiple-choice format (40 questions, 32 correct answers required) for naturalisation by decree, separate from the language requirement.

Quick Takeaways

Required level since 1 January 2026: B2 in speaking and writing (previously B1).
Procedures concerned: naturalisation by decree and marriage-based declaration.
Proofs cited by Service-Public: a French diploma or equivalent, a TCF certificate (France Éducation International, less than 2 years old), or a TEF certificate (CCI Paris, less than 2 years old).
What's new in 2026: a civic exam in MCQ format (40 questions, 32 correct answers required) for naturalisation by decree.
Exemptions: they exist but are narrow (disability or medical condition preventing assessment; specific situation of refugees or stateless persons over 70 who have lived in France for at least 15 years with a valid residence permit).

1. The B2 Level - What You Need to Be Able to Do

B2 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) corresponds to an independent user: someone who can hold a full conversation without preparation, follow French media at normal speed, and read the press without reaching for a dictionary every three lines.

What B2 Looks Like in Speaking

Following a conversation between two French speakers at normal speed, even on topics outside your everyday world
Watching a TV news broadcast without subtitles and summarising the main points
Defending an opinion on a current issue (healthcare, education, the environment)
Handling an administrative phone call
Picking up on humour, irony, and informal turns of phrase

What B2 Looks Like in Writing

Reading an article in Le Monde or Le Figaro and summarising the author's stance
Drafting a formal email without major errors (to a doctor, an administration, a school)
Writing an argumentative text of around 250 words on a societal issue
Understanding a letter from the CAF (the family benefits office), the tax authorities, or a notary

Many learners assume they're at B2 because they can hold a simple conversation. In practice, they're usually still at B1. B2 demands real autonomy with unsimplified French, at native speed, across varied topics.

2. How to Prove the B2 Level

Service-Public lists two main ways to prove your level:

A. Through a French diploma or an equivalent

If you hold a French diploma (CAP vocational certificate, baccalauréat, licence/bachelor's, master's, doctorate) issued by a French institution, or a diploma recognised as equivalent that certifies a level at least equal to B2, you can use it as proof. The official wording refers to any diploma certifying a level at least equal to B2, so it's not a closed list.

B. Through a certificate of success on a recognised language test

Service-Public explicitly mentions two certificates:

The TCF certificate, issued less than 2 years ago by France Éducation International (FEI). The TCF IRN format (Intégration, Résidence, Naturalisation) is specifically designed for French citizenship applications.
The TEF certificate, issued less than 2 years ago by the CCI Paris Île-de-France (the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry).

Important: test logistics, exam centres, and prices change over time. Always check the current conditions on Service-Public and with the awarding bodies (FEI for the TCF, CCI Paris for the TEF) before registering.

3. Exemptions Listed by Service-Public

Exemptions from the language requirement are narrower than what many third-party articles suggest. Service-Public mentions in particular:

An exemption when the applicant's disability or medical condition makes any language assessment impossible (with supporting medical documentation).
The specific case of refugees or stateless persons over 70 who have lived in France for at least 15 years with a valid residence permit.

Other situations that occasionally appear in unsourced articles (a foreign diploma from a French-speaking country, vocational training, and so on) are not worded that way on the Service-Public page consulted for this guide. If you think you're in a special situation, check directly with your préfecture (the local government office handling citizenship files) or consult a specialist immigration lawyer.

4. The 2026 Naturalisation Procedure - 3 Distinct Steps

The reform that took effect on 1 January 2026 reorganised the procedure for naturalisation by decree into clearly distinct stages:

Step 1 - Proof of B2 in French

You include in your file either a diploma certifying B2 or a recent TCF / TEF certificate (less than 2 years old), as described above.

Step 2 - Civic Exam (new in 2026)

The big addition for naturalisation by decree in 2026: an official civic exam in multiple-choice format, with 40 questions and 32 correct answers required to pass. This exam is separate from the language proof: it specifically tests your knowledge of the values, institutions, and history of the French Republic.

Step 3 - File Review and Administrative Interview

The administrative "assimilation interview" (entretien d'assimilation) still exists as part of the file review. It complements - rather than replaces - the civic exam. It's the moment where the administration looks at your personal integration journey, your social integration, and your adherence to republican values.

5. How to Prepare Effectively for B2

Here's the trap: mainstream apps (Duolingo, Babbel) won't get you to B2. They build vocabulary and basics, but they plateau. B2 demands the ability to follow French speakers at native speed, produce complex sentences, and sustain a structured argument.

The right mix to reach B2

A structured method for natural spoken French. That's exactly what 360 French Immersion by HelloFrench works on: 60 authentic conversations between natives with word-by-word karaoke, real-time AI conversation with Jean (who adapts, answers, corrects) and a custom guided path, week by week. If you're around A2-B1 and aiming for B2 for citizenship, it's a solid fit. €15.75/month, 7 days free, cancel anytime, 15-day money-back.
Regular reading - simplified press to start (RFI Savoirs), then Le Monde, Le Figaro, Libération.
A TCF or TEF prep book to get used to the exam format.
Real spoken practice - language tandems, a private tutor, a local welcome association. Without practice with French speakers, B2 stays theoretical.
Targeted civic exam revision - the "livret du citoyen" (citizen's booklet) and the official resources on French institutions and republican values.

Discover 360 French Immersion →

Before You Register for Any Exam

Always verify the current conditions on the official Service-Public site, as well as on the France Éducation International portal (for the TCF) and the CCI Paris portal (for the TEF). The applicable rules depend on the type of procedure (naturalisation by decree, marriage-based declaration, etc.) and on the legal texts in force when you submit your file.

Official Sources

NB: This guide reflects the law as it applies from 1 January 2026. Rules can evolve. Always check the current version on Service-Public before submitting your naturalisation file - and keep all original test certificates, alongside copies, throughout the procedure.

FAQ

What level of French is required for French citizenship in 2026?+

Since 1 January 2026, the required level is B2 on the CEFR scale (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), in both speaking and writing - both for naturalisation by decree and for the marriage-based declaration. Before that date, the threshold was B1.

How do you prove a B2 level for French naturalisation?+

Service-Public lists two routes: either a French diploma (or one recognised as equivalent) certifying a level at least equal to B2, or a certificate of success on a recognised language test. Specifically named are the TCF certificate issued less than 2 years ago by France Éducation International, and the TEF certificate issued less than 2 years ago by the CCI Paris.

Is the TEF accepted for French citizenship?+

Yes. Service-Public explicitly cites the TEF certificate issued less than 2 years ago by the CCI Paris among the accepted proofs for French naturalisation. Don't confuse it with TEF Canada or TCF Québec, which are separate tests aimed at immigration to Canada.

What is the civic exam introduced in 2026?+

For naturalisation by decree, the 2026 reform introduced an official civic exam in multiple-choice format: 40 questions, with 32 correct answers required to pass. It tests knowledge of the values, institutions, and history of the French Republic. The exam is separate from the B2 language requirement: it adds to it, it does not replace it.

What are the exemptions from the language requirement?+

Exemptions are narrow. Service-Public mentions in particular the exemption when a disability or medical condition makes any language assessment impossible, and the specific case of refugees or stateless persons over 70 who have lived in France for at least 15 years with a valid residence permit. Broader situations sometimes claimed in unsourced articles (foreign diplomas from French-speaking countries, vocational training) are not worded that way on the Service-Public page.

How long does it take to go from B1 to B2 in French?+

Typically 6 to 12 months of consistent practice (30 minutes to 1 hour a day). Moving from B1 to B2 is one of the harder jumps on the CEFR scale because it demands following French speakers at native speed and producing complex sentences - two skills that gamified apps train poorly.

How long is a TCF or TEF certificate valid?+

Service-Public specifies that the TCF or TEF certificate must have been issued less than 2 years ago to count as valid proof. Important: the validity must hold at the moment you submit the file, not just when you book the appointment. If your certificate expires before submission, you'll need to retake the test.

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