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France brings in stricter French language requirements for foreigners

France's new immigration law ushers in a host of changes - among them stricter language requirements for foreigners, including the introduction of French tests for certain types of residency card and a higher language level requirement for citizenship.

Published: 27 January 2024 11:14 CET
Updated: 29 January 2024 12:33 CET
France brings in stricter French language requirements for foreigners
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin says that a quarter of people with French residency cards speak the language 'extremely badly'. Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP

France’s new immigration law – formally passed into law on Saturday after a turbulent political battle – contains several important provisions on immigration and security, such as the expulsion of radicalised foreigners.

However the full name of the law is Contrôler l’immigration, améliorer l’intégration (control immigration and improve integration) and some of its provisions affect the integration of foreigners already living here.

Along them are new requirements for foreigners to learn French.

Introducing the idea back in 2022, Interior minister Gérald Darmanin said: “Today, a quarter of foreigners who have residence permits understand and speak French extremely badly.”

READ MORE: Your questions answered: New French language requirements for foreigners

At present proof of competence in the French language is only required for people applying for either French citizenship, or for the 10-year long-term EU residency card.

People with very little French can be ordered to attend language classes at the OFII, but there is no requirement to pass a language test.

The new law means that people applying for a multi-year residency permit will have to provide proof that they have at least A2 level French (the second-lowest level on the international DELF scale, just above the beginner level).

READ MORE: How long does it take for your French to reach A2, B1 or B2 level?

The level required for the 10-year carte de résident has been raised from A2 to B1 – defined as intermediate level.

While the level required for French citizenship has been raised from B1 to B2 – the higher level of intermediate French.

You can find a full explanation of the language levels required – and the groups that are exempt – HERE. 

If you have a question about the new rules, or want to make a comment, please take a moment to fill out our survey HERE.

Member comments

  2. I’d like to know whether if you have already submitted a dossier for naturalisation by décret but haven’t had the interview yet, whether they will still accept a B1 language certificate.

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TRAVEL NEWS

Can I use my French carte de séjour for travel?

The carte de séjour is an official document attesting to your right to live in France - but can it be used as a travel document?

Published: 14 May 2024 16:09 CEST
Can I use my French carte de séjour for travel?

Travel within the EU’s Schengen zone is usually a fairly slick business with reduced or no checks as you cross borders – but that doesn’t mean that you can leave your passport at home.

So integrated is the Schengen Area that if you’re travelling by car or train you may not even notice that you’ve crossed a border and entered another country until you start to see signs in a different language – and that’s the intention of the zone of free movement, created in 1995.

But while EU/EEA citizens can move freely within the zone, it’s a different story for non-EU/EEA citizens.

The rules

Borders between countries in the EU/Schengen area still exist and in order to cross an international border you will need a valid travel document – for EU citizens this can be a national ID card, but for non-EU citizens that means a passport.

France’s carte de séjour residency permit is neither of these – it is not a valid travel document and nor is it an ID card (although it can function as proof of ID in non-travel scenarios such as picking up a parcel from the post office). Technically the card is a ‘titre’ – title – which acts as proof of your status as a resident. 

If you try to cross a border without a valid passport you can be turned back.

The carte de séjour acts as proof of your right to live in France and your right to re-enter the country if you have left, so it’s a good idea to have this with you. If you travel without it, you may have your passport stamped as a visitor when you re-enter France. 

If your passport is stamped in error this may cause delays and questions when you next cross a border, but you cannot be penalised or denied entry provided you can show a valid carte de séjour.

On the ground 

As is often the case, there’s a difference between what the rule book says and what happens on the ground, and this is particularly apparent for travel within the Schengen area.

In practice, it’s common to cross a border with no checks at all – although things tend to be stricter if you are travelling by plane.

Cars and trains often pass through with no checks, or with checks when guards will happily accept a carte de séjour.

However checks do happen – sometimes this is in response to a security alert, for example after a terror attack, but sometimes it’s random or when the border police are training their new recruits. We regret to say that there is often an element of racial profiling, so travellers of colour are more likely to be asked to produce their travel documents.

Cars can be pulled over at border checkpoints while if you’re travelling by train, police will often board the train close to the border and check passengers.

If you are asked, you will need to show your passport – so don’t forget to take it within you when travelling within the EU and Schengen zone. 

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