France’s 2026 French-Language Requirement for Residence Permits and Citizenship

For years, many foreign residents in France could obtain or renew a residence permit mainly by showing that they had followed French classes, without proving a specific level. A reform adopted in 2024 changed that logic. According to official French government information, since 1 January 2026 the level of French you must prove depends on the document you are applying for. If you are a Bangladeshi already living in France, planning to move there, or helping family members who live there, this article explains in plain language what has been announced and how to prepare as a learner.

01What changed and where it comes from

The basis is the French law on immigration and integration of 26 January 2024. An implementing decree published in 2025 set the required language levels and the date they apply: 1 January 2026. Broadly, under the earlier system a first multi-year permit mostly required attending the language training linked to the republican integration contract, the 10-year resident card required A2, and naturalisation required B1. The reform raises each step to a defined and higher level, and it expects that level to be proven, not just studied.

02The three levels at a glance

• A2 for a first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle).
• B1 for the 10-year resident card (carte de résident).
• B2 for French nationality by naturalisation.

These are levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the same scale used by DELF diplomas. How exactly they apply to renewals, changes of status or applications already in progress depends on your case, so check with the préfecture.

What these levels mean in daily life

• A2: you can handle simple, routine situations: shopping, appointments, describing your family, work and surroundings in short sentences, and understanding clear, slow speech on familiar topics.
• B1: you can manage most everyday situations on your own, follow the main points of clear speech about work or daily life, write a simple connected text and give brief reasons for an opinion.
• B2: you can follow longer discussions and the news, argue a point of view with some nuance, and write clear, detailed texts. This is a significant step up from B1.

03What counts as proof?

The official information indicates that the level must be shown with a recognised language certificate or diploma, rather than a simple certificate of course attendance. This typically includes DELF and DALF diplomas and versions of the TCF or TEF that the French authorities recognise for these procedures (there are versions designed for integration, residence and nationality). Some French school or university diplomas may also be accepted. The exact list, any minimum scores and how recent a test result must be are set by official texts, so check service-public.fr or ask your préfecture before you book an exam.

04The civic exam

The reform also introduced a civic exam (examen civique) covering the values of the Republic, its institutions, rights and duties, history and everyday life in France. It is linked to certain permits and to nationality, and it is taken in French. So even where the civic exam is a separate requirement, your language level directly affects how comfortable you will be with it. The format, the pass mark and who must take it are described on official French government websites.

05Exemptions and special cases

Not every residence permit is affected in the same way, and exemptions exist for some people, for example where health or a disability makes the test impossible. Other situations may follow different rules depending on age, status or the type of permit. Whether you fall into an exempt category is a question for the préfecture or a lawyer, not for a blog post or a Facebook comment. Be cautious with anyone who promises a shortcut.

06What this means for Bangladeshi learners

If you already live in France

Find out which document you will apply for next and when your current permit expires. Then work backwards: how many months do you need to reach the required level, and when are the next exam sessions near you? Exam sessions can fill up, and results take time to arrive, so leave a comfortable margin.

If you plan to move to France

Your first permit (for study or work, for example) may have its own conditions, but the next steps in France are now tied to language levels. Starting French while you are still in Bangladesh means arriving with a base instead of starting from zero under time pressure.

If you are aiming for nationality

B2 requires real, sustained study. As a rough estimate often cited for learners starting from zero, B2 takes around 550 to 650 hours of guided learning, plus practice. Someone who already holds B1 is much closer, but the jump to B2, especially in writing and speaking, still needs focused preparation.

07How to prepare: a practical plan

1. Find your current level with our free level test, so your plan starts from facts rather than guesses.
2. Match your target to a course: A2 for a multi-year permit (DELF A2 course), B1 for the resident card (DELF B1 course), or B2 for nationality (DELF B2 course).
3. Confirm with your préfecture or on service-public.fr which certificates they accept for your application.
4. Register for the exam early and check the session dates and fees directly with the test centre.
5. Keep certified copies of your diploma or results, and note any validity dates.

Practise all four skills, not only speaking. Many learners who chat comfortably in French lose points in reading or writing, and an official certificate requires the full set.