Resident card and multi-year residence card: how to justify your knowledge of French?
Verified 10 February 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
Since 1er january 2026, non-european foreigner nationals who apply for a 1re multi-annual residence card or 1re resident card must provide proof of a proficiency in the french language, level A2 for multi-annual residence cards, level B1 for resident cards. All multi-annual residence cards and all residence cards and are not covered by this obligation. The required level can be proven by a diploma, professional certification or language certification. We present you the information to know.
Warning
The passing a civic exam is also mandatory to access a multi-year residence card or a resident card.
If you ask to benefit of a first multi-annual residence card and that you have under 65, you must be able to attest a command of French at a level A2.
The categories of residence permits which are not covered by the language requirement for access to a multiannual residence card are:
- Residence permits not subject to Republican Integration Contract (CIR))
- Beneficiary of subsidiary protection and family
- Stateless and family.
If you make a 1re applying for a multi-annual residence card, you must prove that your proficiency in French is at or above level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CECRL: titleContent) of the Council of Europe.
Level A2 includes the following capabilities:
- Understand single sentences and frequently used phrases in relation to areas of the everyday environment (e.g. simple personal and family information, shopping, work)
- To be able to communicate during simple and usual tasks requiring only a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and usual subjects
- Know how to describe with simple means his training, his immediate environment and evoke subjects that correspond to immediate needs.
Level A2 can be attested in different ways.
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Obtain language certification
Language certifications must meet all of the following conditions:
- Be issued by a certifying body recognized by the Ministry of the Interior
- Proof of written and oral proficiency at level A2 of the CECRL: titleContent
- Separate tests: oral expression, written expression, oral comprehension and written comprehension, with fraud surveillance and identity control
- Face-to-face tests in an examination center, the same day in a single session.
The only recognized tests by the ministry of the interior are:
- French language proficiency test (TCF) issued by France éducation international
- French Assessment Test (TEF) issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris.
FYI
Certificates issued for language certifications, with a validity period of 2 years, shall include:
- Identity of the candidate as verified before the start of the tests from one of the following valid documents: residence permit or passport
- Photograph of the candidate taken before the exam.
Please note
If you are handicapped or if you are in a chronic deficient health status, you can benefit from test arrangements for taking a language test.
If it is impossible to take such a test, you can also be exempted from the requirement of knowledge of the French language.
You must have a medical certificate completed by your attending physician.
The prefecture that examines your request can have your health or disability checked.
Have a diploma attesting a level of knowledge of French at least equal to level A2
- University diploma (DU) awarded by the Association of Directors of French University Studies Centers for foreigners: University Diploma in French Studies (DUEF) level A2 or higher
- Diploma in Professional French (DFP) issued the Paris French Chamber of commerce and industry
- Diploma awarded by France éducation international: Diploma in French Language Studies (DELF), Diploma in French (DALF), Diploma in French as a Professional Language (DELF Pro)
- Diploma of Language Competence (DCL) issued by the ministry of national education
Have a professional certification rated at a level at least equal to level 3 of the national professional qualifications framework
Professional title or certification registered inFrench national directory of professional certifications (RNCP)
Have a diploma at least equal to level 3 of the national professional qualifications framework or the national patent diploma
These are the following diplomas:
- National diplomas from level 3: CAP, BEP, CFG (General Training Certificate)
- National Patent Diploma
Warning
Diplomas awarded by a foreign authority in a foreigners country, even a French-speaking one, are not accepted.
If you ask to benefit of a first resident, long-term resident or UE permanent resident card and that you have under 65, you must be able to attest to your level of proficiency in French.
Not all resident cards are affected. The cards covered by this obligation are as follows:
Resident Cards
- Spouse of French
- Parent of child French
- Family reunification/spouse of resident card holder
Long Life UE Card
- Talent passport / European Blue Card after more than 5 years and family
- Refugee and family card
- Subsidiary Protection and Family Card
- Regular uninterrupted residence 5 years + sufficient, stable and regular resources
Permanent Resident Card
If you make a 1re If you apply for a residence card, you must prove that your proficiency in French is at or above level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CECRL: titleContent) of the Council of Europe.
Level B1 corresponds in particular to the following capacities:
- Understand the essential points of a discussion when clear and standard language is used and if it is familiar things at work, school, leisure, etc.
- Be autonomous in most situations encountered while traveling in a region where the target language is spoken
- To be able to produce a simple and coherent discourse on familiar topics and in his areas of interest
- Know how to tell an event, experience or dream, describe a hope or goal and briefly explain reasons or explanations for a project or idea.
Level B1 can be attested in different ways.
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Obtain language certification
Language certifications must meet all of the following conditions:
- Be issued by a certifying body recognized by the Ministry of the Interior
- Certify the written and oral mastery of level B1 of the CECRL: titleContent
- Separate tests: oral expression, written expression, oral comprehension and written comprehension, with fraud surveillance and identity control
- Face-to-face tests in an examination center, the same day in a single session.
The only recognized tests by the ministry of the interior are:
- French language proficiency test (TCF) issued by France éducation international
- French Assessment Test (TEF) issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris.
FYI
Certificates issued for language certifications, with a validity period of 2 years, shall include:
- Identity of the candidate as verified before the start of the tests from one of the following valid documents: residence permit or passport
- Photograph of the candidate taken before the exam.
Please note
If you are handicapped or if you are in a chronic deficient health status, you can benefit from test arrangements for taking a language test.
If it is impossible to take such a test, you can also be exempted from the requirement of knowledge of the French language.
You must have a medical certificate completed by your attending physician.
The prefecture that examines your request can have your health or disability checked.
Have a diploma attesting a level of knowledge of French at least equal to level B1
- University diploma (DU) awarded by the Association of Directors of French University Studies Centers for foreigners: University Diploma in French Studies (DUEF) Level B1 or higher
- Diploma in Professional French (DFP) issued the Paris French Chamber of commerce and industry
- Diploma awarded by France éducation international: Diploma in French Language Studies (DELF), Diploma in French (DALF), Diploma in French as a Professional Language (DELF Pro)
- Diploma of Language Competence (DCL) issued by the ministry of national education
Have a professional certification rated at a level at least equal to level 3 of the national professional qualifications framework
Professional title or certification registered inFrench national directory of professional certifications (RNCP)
Have a diploma at least equal to level 3 of the national professional qualifications framework or the national patent diploma
These are the following diplomas:
- National diplomas from level 3: CAP, BEP, CFG (General Training Certificate)
- National Patent Diploma
Warning
Diplomas awarded by a foreign authority in a foreigners country, even a French-speaking one, are not accepted.
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Administrative information by telephone - Allô Service Public
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Please note: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their progress.
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The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.
Condition of access to a first resident card
Conditions for renewal of residence permits (legislative part)
Conditions for the renewal of residence permits (regulatory part)
Assessment of the integration condition
Arrangement, dispensation and model of medical certificate
Council of Europe
France international education
French Chamber of commerce and industry of Paris - Île-de-France
Campus FLE - ADCUEFE
French Chamber of commerce and industry of Paris - Île-de-France
France international education
French Chamber of commerce and industry of Paris - Île-de-France