French naturalisation 2026: every change taking effect on 1 January

In brief: what changes on 1 January 2026

1 January 2026 marks the most important shift in French naturalisation procedure in a generation. Decree No 2025-648 of 15 July 2025^[1], supplemented by the order of 10 October 2025^[2], redefines the language requirements and introduces a new mandatory civic exam.

Timeline of the reform

The reform did not arrive overnight. It has been building since January 2024 through successive legislative and regulatory steps.

The turning point began with Law No 2024-42 of 26 January 2024 to control immigration and improve integration (commonly called the “Immigration Law” or the “Darmanin Law” after its sponsoring minister). It broadened the integration requirements applicable to foreign residents in France, raising language thresholds and introducing systematic verification of knowledge of republican principles. The 2025 decree and order are its implementing texts.

The three tracks, explained

One civic exam, three levels of difficulty. The reform applies to three distinct tracks, each with its own language and exam requirements.

From B1 to B2: a meaningful leap

For naturalisation, raising the required level from B1 to B2 is not a minor adjustment. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) defines these levels in very different ways.

• B1 (intermediate) — understand the main points of clear speech in standard language; produce simple, coherent discourse on familiar subjects.
• B2 (upper intermediate) — understand the essential content of concrete or abstract topics in complex texts; communicate with a degree of spontaneity and fluency; express clearly and in detail across a wide range of subjects.

In concrete terms, a B2 candidate must be able to:

• Hold a nuanced conversation about current French affairs
• Argue a point of view on a societal issue
• Read journalistic texts without a dictionary
• Write a structured formal letter

The two accepted tests

To validate this level, two tests are accepted by every préfecture^[3].

The civic exam: 40 questions, 5 themes, 80% to pass

This is the major novelty of the reform. Every candidate for naturalisation, the residence card, or a first multi-year residence permit must now pass a civic exam in multiple-choice format: 40 questions, to be completed in 45 minutes, with a passing threshold set at 80% (32 correct answers out of 40).

The exam consists of:

• 28 knowledge questions on the fundamental themes of the Republic
• 12 scenario questions evaluating the candidate's ability to apply these principles to concrete everyday situations

The five official themes

Set by the order of 10 October 2025, the five themes cover the full Republic — from the Declaration of the Rights of Man to daily life.

1. Principles and values of the Republic (~11 questions) — liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism, the motto, the flag, the Marseillaise, 14 July, the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man.
2. French institutional system (~6 questions) — President, Government, National Assembly, Senate, Constitutional Council, judiciary, European Union.
3. Rights and duties of the citizen (~11 questions) — universal suffrage, taxes, national service, labour law, social security, gender equality, the fight against discrimination.
4. History, geography and culture (~8 questions) — French Revolution, successive Republics, world wars, decolonisation, major figures (de Gaulle, Marianne), heritage, regions.
5. Living in French society (~4 questions, most of the scenario questions) — school, health, housing, employment, family, social codes, public services.

The 12 scenario questions: the real challenge

The 12 scenario questions account for nearly a third of the exam and are the main challenge for candidates. Unlike pure knowledge questions (“In what year was the law separating Church and State adopted?”), scenario questions test the ability to apply republican values to concrete cases.

Example: Your neighbour regularly organises noisy gatherings after 10 p.m. What is the most appropriate course of action according to republican values?

1. Engage in direct physical confrontation
2. Request mediation from a justice conciliator
3. Do nothing and move out
4. Spread negative information about them in the neighbourhood

The correct answer is B, which combines respect for legality, recourse to republican conflict-resolution mechanisms, and refusal of private justice. Each of the other options violates a different principle.

How to prepare: three timelines

Effective preparation depends on your starting level and your planned file submission date. Here are three typical tracks.

Track A — B1 heading to naturalisation (6 to 12 months)

• Months 1–4. Move from B1 to B2 — 4 to 6 h/week of classes (Alliance française, online FLE), formal and journalistic vocabulary.
• Month 5. Register for the TCF IRN or DELF B2, take the test.
• Months 6–10. Civic exam — read the Livret du Citoyen, daily MCQs, scenario questions.
• Months 11–12. Interview — personal narrative, motivations, plans in France.

Track B — Already at B2 (3 to 6 months)

• Months 1–4. Intensive civic exam prep, 30 minutes of MCQs per day.
• Months 5–6. Interview and file finalisation (CERFA form, supporting documents, certified translations).

Track C — Residence card renewal (3 months)

• Month 1. Verify your B1 level (TCF IRN if needed).
• Month 2. Civic exam at the residence card level (less demanding than naturalisation).
• Month 3. Take the exam, submit the file.

Exemptions and special cases

Not all candidates are affected by the new civic exam. The following are exempt^[4] :

• People aged 65 and over — since the introduction of language thresholds
• Renewals of the multi-year residence permit — the exam is only required on first application
• Holders of a French diploma at the required level or above (middle school, high school, higher education in France)
• Certain nationals of Francophone countries with specific attestations

The assimilation interview: a new grid

The individual interview at the préfecture remains central, but its evaluation grid has been significantly tightened. The 2025 Retailleau circular directs agents to verify the sincerity of republican adherence rather than mere factual mastery of knowledge.

In practice, the agent evaluates four dimensions:

• Your personal narrative — why France, since when, what ties you to it
• Your knowledge of current French affairs — main political threads, societal debates, local life
• Your adherence to republican values — secularism, equality, democracy, rule of law
• Your plans in France — family, career, civic engagement, outlook

Next steps: start now

If you plan to submit a file in 2026, do not delay. Four concrete actions to launch this week:

1. Assess your current level with an online TCF IRN mock test (many free options exist).
2. Assemble your administrative file — proof of residence, payslips, tax notices, criminal record extract, translated civil status documents.
3. Register for a language test (TCF IRN or DELF B2) at least 3 months in advance.
4. Train for the civic exam with daily MCQs — consistency beats intensity.