Among the first questions for new arrivals in France is always the same: how’s your French? Whether about daily conversations, lessons, or confidence in getting by, the language factor is at the heart of adapting to life here.
Now, it’s also at the heart of major
reforms. From 1st January 2026, the French naturalization process will
change significantly, with stricter language and civic requirements for
anyone applying for nationality by decree, reintegration, or marriage.
Applicants
will need to prove B2-level French (oral and written), replacing
today’s B1 standard. Certificates must come from accredited providers,
be less than two years old, or be backed by a French diploma. Foreign
diplomas and comparability certificates will no longer be accepted.
Civic knowledge moves from conversation to examination. Until now,
integration into French society was tested through an individual
“assimilation interview.” From 2026, this will be a standardized civic
exam created by the Ministry of Naturalization, with study materials
published online and accredited test centres running the sessions.
Exemptions remain limited to applicants with certified health conditions or disabilities that prevent participation.
The
process itself will also become more digital and selective: only strong
applications will reach the assimilation interview stage, and appeals
must be filed via the same online platform used for submissions.
Importantly,
these reforms apply only to applications filed on or after 1st January
2026. Files already submitted before that date will still follow the
current rules.
For anyone considering applying soon – the existing
B1 language requirement and interview system still stand. And as
countless expats before you have shown, mastering the process is
possible, even without today’s online resources.
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