What level of French do you need for French citizenship, and how do you prove it?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Service-public.fr says applicants for French nationality, by naturalisation or by marriage, must prove spoken and written French at least at CEFR level B2. Proof is a French diploma such as the brevet, a diploma showing B2, or a TCF or TEF certificate issued less than two years ago. Health-based exemptions exist.

Key facts

What	The ministry’s guidance says	Source
Level	At least B2 of the CEFR, spoken and written	Service-public.fr F11926, “quel est le niveau exigé”
Applies to	Naturalisation or reintegration by decree, and declaration by marriage	Service-public.fr F11926
French diplomas	Diplôme national du brevet; a state diploma at least at level 3 of the national qualifications framework; a professional certification at least at level 3 registered in the RNCP	Service-public.fr F11926, “quels documents sont acceptés”
Other diplomas	Any diploma showing at least B2	Service-public.fr F11926
Tests	TCF (France Éducation International) or TEF (Paris chamber of commerce), issued less than 2 years ago	Service-public.fr F11926
Adjustments	Possible for disability or health, with a medical certificate	Service-public.fr F11926
Exemption	Health or disability makes testing impossible; for naturalisation also refugees or stateless people over 70 resident 15+ years with a valid permit	Service-public.fr F11926

The level

Service-public.fr says that to obtain French nationality you must prove French at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, both spoken and written. The same level applies to naturalisation and reintegration by decree and to the declaration of nationality by marriage.

What counts as proof

You must provide a French diploma or a certificate of success in a language test. The guidance lists:

the diplôme national du brevet;
a diploma issued in the name of the State at least at level 3 of the national framework of professional certifications;
any professional certification at least at level 3 registered in the national directory of professional certifications (RNCP);
any diploma showing French at least at B2;
a TCF certificate issued less than two years ago by France Éducation International;
a TEF certificate issued less than two years ago by the Paris chamber of commerce and industry.

Adjustments and exemptions

If your disability or health requires it, you can get adjusted test conditions with a medical certificate stating which adjustments are needed. If your health or disability makes any language evaluation impossible, you can be exempt from providing proof, again with a medical certificate. The authorities can order a new medical check.

For naturalisation by decree, the guidance adds one more exemption: refugees or stateless people over 70 who have lived in France for at least 15 years with a valid residence permit.

The civic exam is a separate requirement for naturalisation by decree.
Legal references cited by the guidance: Civil Code arts. 21-2, 21-24 and 21-24-1; two orders of 22 December 2025 on proof of French and language tests.

Sources

Nationalité française : comment justifier de son niveau en français ? (Service-public.fr, DILA, checked by the source 1 January 2026) checked 2026-10-25

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

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