You need to renew your residence permit but are unsure what French level is required in 2026? Since 1 January 2026, the rules have changed. Decrees n°2025-647 and n°2025-648 raised the language requirements for several permit types. The required level depends on the card you are applying for — and you must now prove it with a recognised certification.
Since January 2026: Higher Language Requirements
The new decrees set precise levels depending on the residence permit you are seeking. Here is what the prefecture may ask of you:
Required levels since 1 January 2026:
- Multi-year residence card → minimum A2 level
- Resident card (10 years) → minimum B1 level
- French naturalisation → minimum B2 level
Source: service-public.fr — Decrees n°2025-647 and n°2025-648.
Not sure what your level is?
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