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French Language Requirements to Move to France in 2026: Do You Need to Speak French?

If you are thinking about moving to France in 2026, you may have come across alarming headlines about new language rules and immigration requirements. With the introduction of the Examen Civique or French Civic exam, as some people call it, and stricter residency conditions, it is easy to see why so many people are worried, and we’re getting a lot of calls about it!

But do you actually need to speak French to get your visa and move to France? And what do these changes really mean for expats planning to relocate?

The short answer is: for most people moving to France right now, there is no immediate need to panic. As our immigration specialist Juliette explains, the new language and civic requirements do not impact you when you first arrive in France. They only become relevant if and when you decide to apply for a multi-year or long-term residency card after several years of living in the country. Here is a clear, honest breakdown of exactly what is required, when, and who it affects. Watch the video below!

Do You Need to Speak French to Get a French Visa?

No. One of the biggest misconceptions circulating online is that you now need to pass a French language test just to get your initial French visa. This is simply not the case.

When you apply for a long-stay visa (visa de long s茅jour) from your home country, whether that is a visitor visa, a professional visa, or a spouse visa, there is no language test required at that stage. Whether you are moving from the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere outside the EU, you do not need to prove any level of French proficiency to enter France.

The core requirements for a standard long-stay visitor visa remain unchanged. You will need to demonstrate:

• Proof of sufficient financial resources (currently around 1,400 euros net per person, per month, or held across 12 months)
• Proof of accommodation in France (a long-term rental or a purchased property)
• Comprehensive private medical insurance (at least initially, until you integrate into the French healthcare system)

As long as you meet these criteria, you can secure your visa and begin your life in France without speaking a word of French.

Is There a Language Test When You Renew Your Visa Each Year?

Once you are in France, your initial long-stay visa is typically valid for up to 12 months. When it comes time to renew your residency status at your local prefecture, many expats worry that a language test will suddenly be required. It will not.

There is no language test required for . You simply need to demonstrate that your circumstances remain unchanged: you still have sufficient funds, a place to live, and healthcare coverage. That is it.

This yearly renewal process happens at your local prefecture, and as Juliette confirms, it takes place “with no need for them to speak French.” Of course, learning French is always encouraged, but it is not a condition of your renewal.

Crucially, if you are happy to continue renewing on a yearly basis, the new 2026 language and civic requirements do not apply to you at all. You can continue this process without ever sitting a formal French test. The new rules only come into play when you choose to upgrade to a more permanent status.

When Do the New 2026 Language Requirements Actually Apply?

The 2026 changes stem from the . They introduce stricter language proficiency standards and a new mandatory civic exam for those seeking to move from temporary, one-year permits to longer-term residency status.

For most expats, this decision to upgrade typically arises after several years of living in France. Here is what each stage requires.

The Multi-Year Residence Permit (Carte de S茅jour Pluriannuelle)

If you wish to apply for a multi-year residence permit (valid for 2 to 4 years), you must now demonstrate an A2 level of French. As Juliette explains, “A2 is just one above A1, which is basic.” It is mainly speaking and talking, with some basic reading and writing. You will not be asked to discuss complex topics; it is genuinely basic conversation about familiar subjects. It is a level that, after several years of living in France, most people will find very achievable.

The 10-Year Resident Card (Carte de R茅sident)

For those applying for the , the language requirement has been raised to a B1 level (intermediate). This is an increase from the previous A2 requirement. At B1, you can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters, deal with most situations likely to arise while living in France, and produce simple connected text on familiar topics.

French Citizenship (Naturalisation)

If your goal is to become a French citizen, the is now set at B2 level (upper-intermediate). This is a significant step up from the previous B1 requirement. At B2, you are an independent, confident user of the language, able to understand complex conversations, express your opinions clearly, and write structured texts.

It is worth noting, as Juliette and Richard point out in the video above, that you do not need to become a French citizen to stay in France long-term. A long-term resident card is a perfectly valid option, and many expats have held one for decades without ever applying for nationality.

Summary of 2026 Language Level Requirements

Application Type	Required CEFR Level (from 2026)	Previous Requirement
Multi-Year Residence Permit	A2 (Advanced Beginner)	A1
10-Year Resident Card	B1 (Intermediate)	A2
French Citizenship	B2 (Upper Intermediate)	B1

Source:

What Is the New Examen Civique (Civic Test)?

Alongside the language tests, the 2026 reforms introduced a mandatory Examen Civique (civic exam) for non-EU nationals applying for a multi-year permit, a 10-year resident card, or French citizenship.

This is a 45-minute, computer-based multiple-choice test. It consists of 40 questions (28 general knowledge questions and 12 scenario-based questions), and you must score at least 80% (32 correct answers out of 40) to pass. The exam is administered entirely in French.

As Juliette describes it, “they ask basic questions about France, how France is organised, about the politics, the history of France.” The five themes covered are:

• The principles and values of the Republic (the motto and symbols of France, 濒补茂肠颈迟茅)
• The institutional and political system (how France is governed, the EU)
• The fundamental rights, obligations, and duties of people living in France
• History, geography, and culture
• Everyday life in France (parental authority, the education system, working in France)

One important and reassuring point: the certificate of successful completion of the civic exam has no expiry date. This means you can take the test at any point and use the same certificate for both a multi-year permit application and a citizenship application later on. You do not need to sit it twice.

Just like the language tests, the civic exam is not required for your initial visa or for standard yearly renewals.

Are There Any Exemptions to the Language and Civic Tests?

Yes, there are several important exemptions built into the 2026 rules.

Are There Age Exemptions?

Yes: If over 65, you are fully exempt from any civics or language tests associated with the application for a first carte de s茅jour pluriannuelle application.

• Over 65s: If you are 65 years or older, you are fully exempt from both the language test and the Examen Civique when applying for a multi-year residence permit or a 10-year resident card. You do not need to provide a language certificate or sit the civic exam at either stage.
• Please note that citizenship (naturalisation) applications follow separate rules, and age exemptions do not apply in the same way. If French citizenship is your long-term goal,

Renewals Are Not Affected

If you are renewing an existing multi-year residence card or resident card (rather than applying for one for the first time), you do not need to pass the civic exam. As confirmed by the , the new requirements apply only to first-time applications for these longer-term statuses.

What If You Are Happy With Yearly Renewals?

This is perhaps the most important reassurance in the whole debate. As Juliette confirms, “technically speaking, if you were happy just doing the yearly renewals, none of this applies.” You are not forced to upgrade to a multi-year card. The prefecture may encourage you to do so, but it is not mandatory. You can continue renewing your one-year temporary permit and avoid the tests entirely, for as long as you choose.

Spouses of EU Nationals

If you are a non-EU citizen married to an EU national (who is not French) and you move to France together, you can apply for a directly from France, without needing to apply from your home country first. This permit is typically granted for 5 years, includes the right to work immediately, and does not require a language test. When you renew this permit, there is still no language test required. However, if you later decide to apply for a 10-year card, the language test and civic exam would then apply.

Spouses of French Nationals

If you are married to a French citizen, the process is slightly different and, as Juliette notes, “actually harder” in some respects than other routes. You apply for a spouse visa in your home country (no language test required) and arrive in France with the right to work straight away. During your first year, you will sign the Contrat d’Int茅gration R茅publicaine (CIR), described in more detail below. When you renew your visa for the second year, you receive a temporary 1-year card with no test required. However, when you apply for a multi-year card as a spouse of a French national (which typically becomes possible in year two or three), you will need to demonstrate an A2 level of French, unless you are over 65.

Talent Visa Holders

Holders of the multi-year Talent Visa (Passeport Talent) and intra-corporate transferees are generally exempt from the new language and civic requirements during their initial application phases.

What If You Are Not Ready After 5 Years?

This is another question that causes a lot of anxiety, and the answer is reassuring. If you have been in France for 5 years but do not yet feel ready to sit the language or civic tests, you can simply renew your one-year temporary permit for another year and apply the following year. There is no hard deadline that forces you into a multi-year application. You have the flexibility to take your time and prepare properly.

As Juliette confirms, “even if they don’t feel ready after 5 years, they can renew for one more year and apply for the year after. So it’s not an issue.”

How to Prepare for Your Move to France

The key takeaway from the 2026 immigration changes is that France is not closing its doors. As Juliette puts it, “nothing is closed.” The process has simply become more structured for those seeking long-term, permanent status, so it’s important when you are applying for our French visa, you use the right team of people to help!

Start with your initial visa. Do not let the fear of future language tests stop you from applying for your French visa. There are no language requirements for your initial long-stay visa or your standard yearly renewals.

Begin learning French gradually. While you do not need French to get your visa, living in France is far more enjoyable when you can communicate. Start with the basics before you arrive, use language apps, watch French films, and immerse yourself in the culture from day one. Five years is a long time, and an A2 level is genuinely achievable for anyone living in France.

Remember the civic test certificate does not expire. Once you pass the Examen Civique, that certificate is valid indefinitely. You can sit it early and use it for multiple applications down the line.

Seek professional guidance. At French Connections HCB, we specialise in taking the stress out of your relocation. Whether you need help with your initial visa application, your yearly renewals, or preparing your dossier for a 10-year resident card, our team is here to guide you through every step. We monitor all legislative changes closely and can provide tailored advice based on your specific situation, age, and visa type.

麻豆传媒 is still very much possible in 2026. The dream of living your best life is within reach with the right team!