France has introduced 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. If you are planning a move to France or seeking naturalisation read on.
The new law is called Contrôler l’immigration,améliorer l’intégration (control immigration and improve integration)
Some of the provisions affect foreigners already living here; among them are new requirements for foreigners to learn French. The language requirement for residency cards only applies to non-EU citizens, but the requirements in order to secure French citizenship apply to everyone. These changes do not affect those British citizens living and working in France who are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement and have either the 5-year (known as ‘WARP’) or the 10-year Brexit residency cards (known as ‘Article 50 TUE’).
New arrivals in France get a visa and then move on to a carte de séjour (residency card). The first carte de séjour issued is usually a short-term card (one year), although there are different paths for specific groups such as those applying for a Passeport Talent visa. There remain no language requirements for short-term cards.
For a multi-year residency permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle)people will have to provide proof that they have at least A2 level French (the second-lowest level, just above the beginner level). This will not affect anyone who already has such a card.
The level required for the 10-year carte de résident has been raised from A2 to B1 – defined as intermediate level. The level required for French citizenship has been raised from B1 to B2 – the higher intermediate level of French.The A2, B1 and B2 are measured according to the international DELF scale, also known as Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues (CERL).
An explanation of each level are given by Service Public and can be read here.
If you would like any more information about the language levels, moving to France or living and working in France, please contact us at info@franco-british-network.com