What's changing and what's staying the same for French citizenship?

France’s latest immigration law is bringing some big changes for people applying to become French – here’s what changes and what stays the same when it comes to French citizenship.

In mid-July, the French government published a decree highlighting several upcoming changes to acquiring French nationality.

While some of these changes were expected as part of the of the 2024 immigration law – such as the stricter language requirements – others were not part of this legislation.

This article relates to people applying to become French citizens – the immigration law also brings in tougher requirements for French residency, you can find the latest on that here.

What has changed about requesting French nationality?

Stricter language requirements – As outlined in France’s 2024 immigration law, the minimum language level for French citizenship (both for applications by marriage and residency) will increase from B1 (lower intermediate) to B2 (upper intermediate) on the CERL scale.

This change will take effect from January 1st, 2026.

Applicants will still be able to prove their language level via a language test – either the diplôme (diploma) or an attestation de réussite (test score), and there are no proposed changes to existing exemptions for people with disabilities (more on this below).

The decree also clarified that those who earned higher education degrees in France will still be able to use this as proof of language level, but foreign higher education degrees taught in French will no longer suffice as proof of language level.

Civics test – The decree also announced that all applicants (starting on January 1st, 2026) will need to pass a written history and civics test before reaching the interview step.

The French government clarified in the July decree that it will begin to use the written exam to assess applicants’ “required level of knowledge of French history, culture, and society.”

The government explained that the goal of adding the civics exam is to “improve the efficiency of examining applications for French nationality” and to “restrict the scope of the assimilation interview to only those applications that meet the conditions of admissibility.” So the test is in addition to, not instead of, the in-person interview at the préfecture.

It is not clear at this stage exactly what form the exam will take and whether there will be any exemptions. The decree states only that further details will follow in a ministerial document.

The appeals process – The decree also referenced a small change in the appeals process. When applying for nationality, there are four possible results for your application: accepted, ‘unreceivable’, rejected, or adjourned.

It is possible to appeal a rejection or adjournment within two months of notification. The slight change listed in the decree is that previously all appeals would be sent to the ‘minister responsible for naturalisation’, but applications done via the online service ANEF will first need to lodge an appeal using this online service. The only exceptions to this will be related to technical difficulties.

What will stay the same?

The bulk of the application process will stay the same. For applications by residency, officials will still seek to determine your level of integration into French society.

They will continue to require a minimum number of years of consecutive residency, as well as proof that you have completed your yearly tax declaration.

As for applications by marriage, you must still be able to show you have been married (and cohabiting) with a French person for at least four years (three of which were spent in France). If you cannot prove that, then you can instead apply after five years of marriage.

Required documents – In addition to needing to show you passed the civics test and you have achieved the B2 level in French (starting in January), you will still need to provide all of the previously required documents.

While these can vary depending on your situation (e.g. if you are applying as a self-employed person vs. as a full-time employee), the basic documents such as your ID (passport), birth certificate (along with its certified translation), a criminal record check, any proof of civil status (e.g. marriage/divorce certificates), and your proof of address will all still be required.

You can still use the French government’s online simulator to create a Pdf document listing all of the documents you need to submit.

Proof of stable income – For those applying by residency, one of the requirements is to demonstrate stable and regular income, reaching at least the French minimum wage (SMIC), and this is not changing.

While this requirement has long existed, the recent circulaire sent out by the interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, in April 2025 specified that the majority of this income should not come from foreign sources.

It also emphasised the importance of ‘professional integration’, giving the examples of demonstrating at least one year of a CDI (permanent contract) or two years of CDDs (fixed-term contracts) for those who are working.

The interview – The addition of the new civics test will not end the requirement to sit an ‘assimilation’ interview when applying for French nationality, but the content of the interview may shift to focus less on assessing historical and cultural knowledge, as that will be covered in the civics test.

While it is not clear what ‘score’ French government officials will require on the civics test, it appears that failure could lead to your application being closed or adjourned. In this case, it is possible that you might not advance to the interview step.

Exemptions for language level – There are no proposals to change the exemptions to language-level requirements. Currently, only people with disabilities (who can provide a doctor’s note) are exempt from proving their language level via a test.

While there is an exception to the language requirement for refugees, aged over 70 who have lived in France for 15 years or more, there is no broad age-related exemption for people aged 65 and over.

It is unclear whether there will be similar exemptions for the written civics test.

Methods of applying – Applicants applying based on residency will continue to use the ANEF website. Applications by marriage will follow the steps laid out by your local préfecture or consulate. In many cases, applications by marriage will continue to be mailed in by the post.

What if I’ve already applied and am still waiting for a response?

French citizenship applications take time to be processed – years, in fact, depending on the préfecture;

Which means that thousands have people have already submitted applications but have not yet received a decision.

The Interior Ministry confirmed to The Local that the changes apply only to citizenship applications made after January 1st 2026 – anyone who has already applied and is waiting for their application to be dealt with is treated according to the current rules.

A spokesman confirmed: “The decree enters into effect on January 1st 2026, only applications submitted after that date will be subject to the following requirements; B2 level French and the written history and civics test.

“Applications submitted between now and December 31st will be treated according to the current law.”

What’s changing and what’s staying the same for French citizenship?

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