French Naturalisation in 2026: B2 French, the Civic Exam and the Conditions

The short answer: since 1 January 2026, becoming French by naturalisation needs two new proofs: B2 French, spoken and written, and a passed civic exam, before you apply. For people who followed the integration path, it is the next step after the A2 level and the civic exam asked for the multi-year card.

This guide follows Service-Public and the arrêté of 22 December 2025 on Légifrance, checked on 2 November 2026. It also exists in French. It covers naturalisation by decree; nationality through marriage is a declaration with its own rules.

What changed in 2026

• B2 French: the arrêté of 22 December 2025 requires a command of written and spoken skills at B2 level. It applies from 1 January 2026; naturalisation applications filed before that date stay under the earlier texts.
• The civic exam: since 1 January 2026 you must have passed it to be naturalised, and take it before you apply.

The conditions

• Age: 18 to be naturalised; you can apply from 17.
• Residence: usually 5 years of residence in France. It drops to 2 years in some cases, for example after successful higher education in France or an exceptional integration record, and does not apply in others, such as for a refugee.
• Living in France: when the decree is signed, with the centre of your material interests and family ties in France. If your spouse or children live abroad, the application can be refused.
• Lawful stay: a valid residence permit when you apply (unless you are an EEA or Swiss national), and no expulsion order or entry ban in force.
• Income: stable and sufficient income for you and your household.
• Assimilation: checked through the civic exam and an interview at the préfecture, where you sign the charter of the rights and duties of the French citizen.
• Good conduct: no prison sentence in France of 6 months or more without suspension, and no conviction for a crime against the fundamental interests of the Nation or for terrorism, with exceptions such as rehabilitation.

Proving B2 French

The arrêté of 22 December 2025 and Service-Public accept:

• the diplôme national du brevet;
• a French state diploma or a professional certification in the RNCP, at level 3 or above;
• any diploma showing French at B2 level or above;
• a TCF or TEF pass certificate under 2 years old, with four tests (speaking, writing, listening and reading), taken in person at a test centre on the same day.

Test adjustments are possible for a disability or a health condition, on a medical certificate, and an exemption where no assessment is possible. For naturalisation, a refugee or stateless person over 70 who has lived in France for at least 15 years with a residence permit is also exempt.

The naturalisation civic exam

Point	According to Service-Public
Format	40 multiple-choice questions, written in French: knowledge questions and real-life situations
Time	45 minutes at most, on a digital device
Pass mark	32 right answers
Themes	Key moments in French history; the principles, symbols and institutions of the Republic; exercising French citizenship; France's place in Europe and the world
Where	A centre approved by the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce or France Éducation international; abroad, an Institut français, an Alliance française or the consulate explains the procedure

The themes differ slightly from the exam for the multi-year card (see our civic exam guide for residence cards). Cheating bars you from the exam for 2 years. The exam covers naturalisation and reinstatement by decree, not declarations such as marriage.

Applying

• How: online through the naturalisation online service, or by post to the naturalisation platform for where you live; from abroad, through the consulate.
• Fee: a €255 tax stamp since 1 May 2026 (a reduced rate applies in French Guiana).
• Time: the decision is due within 18 months of the receipt, or 12 months if you have lived in France for at least 10 years by then. This can be extended once by 3 months, with reasons given.

Tip: Keep your residence permit current. It must be valid when you apply: plan the renewal for the months the procedure takes.

For the residence cards that usually come before naturalisation, see our guides to the multi-year card and renewing an employee residence permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What level of French is needed for French naturalisation in 2026?

B2, spoken and written, for applications filed since 1 January 2026 (the arrêté of 22 December 2025). It is proved with an accepted diploma or a TCF or TEF under 2 years old.

Is the civic exam required for French naturalisation?

Yes, since 1 January 2026, for naturalisation and reinstatement by decree. You must pass it before applying: 40 questions in French, 32 right answers to pass.

How much does a French naturalisation application cost?

A €255 tax stamp since 1 May 2026, with a reduced rate in French Guiana.

How long does French naturalisation take?

The decision is due within 18 months of the receipt, or 12 months if you have lived in France for at least 10 years. This can be extended once by 3 months.

Do I need a residence permit to apply for French naturalisation?

Yes, a valid residence permit when you apply, unless you are an EEA or Swiss national.

How Settio helps employers and agencies in France

Settio helps employers and immigration and relocation agencies run every residence permit case in one place, from the first application to the renewal:

• Before and after arrival: a plan for every hire, with each step and its deadline, the OFII appointment included.
• For the employee: the employee portal shows their next steps on their phone, in their language, with no account or password.
• Before the renewal: permit monitoring tracks every expiry date and flags the renewal in good time, which leaves room to gather the training certificate, the French level and the civic exam before filing.

Start with a 30-day free trial, no card needed. See how to start.

Sources

6 official sources

• Service-Public: French naturalisation by decree (in French)
• Service-Public: French nationality, proving your level of French (in French)
• Service-Public: French naturalisation, how to take the civic exam (in French)
• Légifrance: Arrêté of 22 December 2025 on the French level of nationality applicants (in French)
• Service-Public: A civic exam from 1 January 2026 (in French)
• Service-Public: New residence permit fees (in French)