Major Changes to French citizenship requirements: what you need to know

There has recently been some news about the language requirements to apply for French citizenship.

What is changing and when?

On 15th July, 2025, the French government announced that from January 1st, 2026, the required level of French for acquiring French nationality will increase from B1 to B2. This change applies to all applications, whether by marriage or by decree. This means that if you’re planning to apply for French citizenship from the start of 2026, you’ll need to have a B2 level of French.

Why has the French government made these changes?

The French government wanted to increase the language requirement from B1 to B2 to oblige people to be truly capable of integration thanks to a higher level of French. As Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau stated, “becoming French must be earned, and we must be very, very demanding.” By increasing the level to B2, France aims to ensure new citizens can truly understand complex information, take part in detailed discussions, and become truly integrated into the community.

What is the difference between a B1 level and a B2 level?

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is based on six levels of language proficiency, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (fluent). Here’s how B1 and B2 compare:

A B1 (Intermediate) speaker can understand the main points on familiar topics (work, school, leisure) and produce simple, connected texts on personal interests, describing experiences or giving brief explanations and opinions. Generally, they can tell stories, describe events in the past, and make future plans.

A B2 (Upper Intermediate) speaker can understand complex texts (even technical) and produce clear, detailed texts on diverse subjects, explaining viewpoints. Essentially, they can express themselves spontaneously with a degree of fluency; they can argue, debate, and negotiate. This level shows greater accuracy, precision, and the ability to engage in sophisticated, nuanced discussions.

A B1 speaker can get by in daily life in France, but a B2 speaker can truly engage, debate, and express themselves effectively in a wider range of situations, including more formal or complex contexts.

What are my testing options?

For French citizenship, the DELF B2, TCF, and TEF are all officially accepted.

DELF B2: the DELF B2 is valid for life, so it is a one-time investment. It’s a pass or fail diploma for a specific level, assessing the four main language skills – listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Most of our students opt for the DELF exam, which can be taken at Alliance Française in Annecy. The cost of a DELF B2 exam is currently €150.

TCF IRN & TEF IRN: these exams are only valid for 2 years. These are proficiency tests specifically designed for citizenship applications, also assessing all four skills. They assess the full range and then give you the appropriate level (A1-C2).

What does the B2 DELF exam consist of?

The DELF B2 exam has four sections, each worth 25 points (100 total). To pass, you need at least 50/100 overall and a minimum of 5/25 in each section.

Here’s a breakdown of each skill:

Compréhension de l’oral (Listening):

B2: (Approx. 30 mins, 25 pts) Listen to two longer, more complex recordings (e.g., interviews, news, lectures) and answer comprehension questions, requiring understanding of main ideas, details, and implied meanings.

Compréhension des écrits (Reading):

B2: (1 hour, 25 pts) Read two longer texts (opinion pieces, in-depth); interpret arguments and implicit meanings.

Production écrite (Writing):

B2: (1 hour, 25 pts) Write one structured text (approx. 250 words minimum), often an essay or formal letter, presenting a reasoned personal position on a general or contemporary topic.

Production orale (Speaking):

B2: (20 mins + 30 mins prep, 25 pts) Present and defend your opinion on a given topic, followed by a debate/interaction with examiners.

The leap from B1 to B2 requires a noticeable increase in your ability to express yourself with nuance, precision, and a greater command of vocabulary and grammatical structures.

Reach out to us today and follow us on social media for all the details of how we can assist you on your journey to French citizenship!

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