B2 French for French citizenship in 2026: what changed and how to pass

Since 1 January 2026, applying for French citizenship requires B2 French, in speaking and in writing. Until the end of 2025, B1 was enough. If you are an English speaker living in France and planning to naturalise, this single change may have moved your timeline by months. Here is what changed, which tests count, and how to close the gap efficiently.

What changed in 2026

The immigration law of 26 January 2024 raised the language requirements for long-term residence and nationality, with the new levels applying from 1 January 2026 at the latest. The result:

• First carte de séjour pluriannuelle: A2 (no level was required before).

• 10-year carte de résident: B1 (previously A2).

• Naturalisation: B2 (previously B1), in both oral and written French.

A separate civic exam, a multiple-choice test on French institutions, values and history, was also introduced for these applications. It is distinct from the language test, so plan for both.

Some groups have exemptions for certain residence cards (for example, older applicants or holders of the post-Brexit Withdrawal Agreement card). Rules can evolve, so always confirm your own situation with your préfecture before filing.

Which tests are accepted

Attending classes is not proof. You need an official result or diploma. The most common routes:

TCF IRN

Run by France Éducation international and designed for integration, residence and nationality. Since 2025 it assesses up to B2, and its listening and reading sections were lengthened. You receive a level per section, and the certificate is generally valid for two years, so time it close to your filing date.

TEF IRN

Run by the Paris Chamber of Commerce, with the same purpose and recognition. The format differs slightly, and some candidates simply perform better on it. A useful alternative when TCF sessions near you are full.

DELF B2

A diploma with no expiry date. It is pass or fail at B2, sessions are less frequent, and it is more demanding in stamina. A good choice if you are not in a hurry and want a credential for life.

Why so many people stall at B1

B1 means you can get your meaning across in everyday situations. B2 means you can defend a point of view: weigh pros and cons, concede a point, express a hypothesis, and adapt your register. That is a different skill, and it is the one the examiner scores.

Apps build vocabulary. Group classes give you a few minutes of speaking per session. Friendly conversation tutors rarely correct the structures that cost points. All of them help you reach B1. Very few train the argument-building that B2 demands.

A practical 12-week approach

If you are at a solid B1 today, twelve focused weeks are usually enough to reach B2, provided the work targets the exam.

1. Weeks 1–2, diagnose. Take a full timed mock in the format of your chosen test. Identify your weakest section rather than studying everything equally.

2. Weeks 3–8, build. Train argumentation daily: 90 seconds of recorded speaking on a debatable topic, using connectors like pourtant, bien que, à condition que. Write two structured texts a week and get them corrected.

3. Weeks 9–12, perform. Do timed mocks every week, practise listening and reading at exam speed, and rehearse an exam-day routine.

The bottleneck is almost always feedback. You cannot hear your own fossilised mistakes, and you cannot grade your own essay. Get an expert to correct you often, even briefly.

Frequently asked questions

Already around B1 with a filing date in sight? See the B2 Citizenship Sprint, 12 weeks of private coaching →