French is now a condition of staying, not only of fitting in. Since 1 January 2026, a first multi-year residence card requires French at A2 plus the civic exam, and the ten-year carte de résident requires B1. If you sign the CIR with the OFII, you may get free lessons. Universities run French courses at about €1,500 to €2,500 per session, and the Alliance Française, the CNED and local associations fill the gaps. You prove your level with a DELF, DALF or TCF.
Key takeaways
- Since 1 January 2026, a first multi-year card needs A2 and the civic exam; the carte de résident needs B1.
- Naturalisation asks for a higher level, and its stamp duty is €255 since 1 May 2026.
- The CIR via the OFII can include free French lessons for newcomers.
- University FLE courses cost about €1,500 to €2,500 per session and can support a student visa.
- The DELF, DALF and TCF certify your level for residence and naturalisation files.
Do you need to speak French to live in France?
French is not required to arrive in France, but a lack of it quickly becomes a barrier. Daily life (shops, doctors, schools, neighbours), the workplace and almost every contact with the administration run in French. Learning early gives you independence and opens more jobs. In patient care, French is a legal requirement, so a nurse or care worker should plan for B2 before applying.
Newcomers underestimate this more than anything else. A synthesis of Reddit reports from international students in France ranks underestimating French for daily life as their top regret, with bureaucracy as complaint number one, according to this compilation (accessed October 2026). An English-taught degree does not change the language of your landlord, your bank or the CAF.
Levels are set by the administration
What French level do residence cards require since 2026?
| Step | French level | Civic exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| First carte de séjour pluriannuelle | A2 | Yes | €350 first card |
| Carte de résident (10 years) | B1 | Yes | €350 first card |
| Naturalisation | Higher level; check service-public.fr | Check service-public.fr | €255 stamp duty (was €55) |
Since 1 January 2026, the first multi-year card a non-EU resident receives after the one-year VLS-TS depends on French at A2 and on passing the examen civique, a test on French institutions and values. The ten-year carte de résident, open after five years of regular residence, requires B1 and the same civic exam. Some categories are exempt, so check yours on service-public.fr.
The timing matters more than the level. A1 to A2 takes many learners several months of classes, and a multi-year card is usually requested at the end of year one. Start in your first months, not in the month before your renewal window opens on ANEF. See our titre de séjour renewal guide for the four-to-two-month filing window and the 2026 fees.
What is the CIR and OFII training?
The contrat d'intégration républicaine (CIR) is signed by many newcomers settling in France, through the OFII (Office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration). When you sign it, the OFII assesses your French level. If your level is below the target, you may be offered free French language training, with the number of hours depending on your starting point. Family-reunion arrivals sign it as part of their file.
The CIR also includes civic training about life and values in France, which now doubles as preparation for the examen civique required for a multi-year card. Attend every assigned session and keep the attendance certificates, because the language hours are the cheapest route to A2. Check who must sign the CIR and what it covers on service-public.fr.
Where can you learn French?
France offers six main routes to learn French, and most learners combine two or three of them:
- OFII courses: free lessons offered through the CIR for eligible newcomers.
- University FLE centres: French-as-a-foreign-language diplomas (DU FLE) at centres such as Inalco or the CUEF in Grenoble cost about €1,500 to €2,500 per session, some with ECTS credits; a course over 90 days can support a student visa.
- Alliance Française: a national network of schools offering structured classes for all levels.
- CNED: the public distance-learning service for studying French at your own pace.
- Apps: useful for vocabulary and daily practice between classes.
- Local associations and mairie courses: often low-cost or free community classes near where you live.
Mix classes with real practice
Which certificate proves your level?
Three certifications are widely recognised. The DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue française) and DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) are lifelong diplomas issued under France Éducation international, covering levels from beginner through advanced. The TCF (Test de connaissance du français) is a test that gives you a level valid for a set period.
For a residence card or naturalisation file, the level and the exact certificate accepted depend on the procedure. Confirm which proof your procedure requires on service-public.fr before booking an exam, so you sit the right one at the right level. If you plan to apply for the carte de résident later, aim for B1 from the start rather than stopping at A2.
Sources: OFII (ofii.fr), service-public.fr, France Éducation international (DELF and DALF) and loi de finances 2026, as of October 2026. Verify current levels and requirements before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to speak French to live in France?
You can arrive without French, but daily life, work and the administration are far easier with it, and residence now depends on it. Since 1 January 2026, a first multi-year residence card requires French at A2 plus the civic exam, and the ten-year carte de résident requires B1. International students most often name underestimating French as their top regret.
Are French lessons free for newcomers?
They can be. Newcomers who sign the contrat d'intégration républicaine (CIR) with the OFII are assessed and may be offered free French training when their level is below the target. The number of hours depends on your starting level.
What level of French do you need for a residence card or naturalisation?
Since 1 January 2026, a first carte de séjour pluriannuelle requires A2 and the examen civique, and the carte de résident requires B1 and the civic exam. Naturalisation asks for a higher level, and its stamp duty rose to €255 on 1 May 2026. Confirm whether your category is exempt on service-public.fr before you apply.
Which French certificate should you take?
The DELF and DALF are lifelong diplomas issued under France Éducation international, while the TCF is a test that gives a level valid for a set period. For residence and naturalisation files, check which certificate and level the procedure accepts before booking.
How much does a university French course cost?
University French-as-a-foreign-language centres such as those at Inalco or the CUEF in Grenoble charge about €1,500 to €2,500 per session for a DU FLE, and some award ECTS credits. A course longer than 90 days can support a student visa.
How long does it take to learn French?
It depends on your starting point, study time and exposure. With regular classes plus daily practice, many learners reach A2 within several months and B1 over a year or more. Using French in daily errands and at work speeds it up.
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