The Workers Rights 
France has made its integration rules stricter for all non-EU nationals wanting to obtain some long-term residence documents. As of 01/01/2026, applicants for the first time for multi-year residence card / resident card will be required to display French-language competence and a civic test.
New French Language Requirements
The needed level varies according to the residence status sought. Applicants for a first multi-year residence card normally must present French level A2 while applicants for a resident card normally must present French level B1. These minimum requirements are those required to cover first applications, rather than just each renewal.
The requirement is greater for the French naturalisation. From January 2026, applicants will introduce French skills at the B2 level.
Civic Exam Becomes Part of the Process
All those who are eligible to apply for covered multi-year and resident cards must also take a civic exam. This exam evaluates the knowledge of the French republican values and institutions, rights and obligations, history, geography, culture and life in the French society.
The civic test for naturalisation is a multiple-choice digital test with 40 questions. The required mark for passing is 80%, of which candidates must achieve 32.
Employer Penalties for Illegal Employment
Employing foreign nationals without the necessary authorization to work will have some severe consequences for French employers. The administration has a tiered system of graduated fines, based on the number of unauthorised foreign workers, computed on the top end of the minimum guaranteed wage hours per week and subject to higher levels of fines for repeat offences.
Singularly, undocumented work can be a criminal violation which can be fined at up to € 30,000 per illegal worker, and, partially, even be punished with prison. So, the “€20,000 fine” may not always be the highest limit to be expected.
ANEF and Renewal Planning
A lot of the immigration processes involving French foreigners go through ANEF. Applicants are kindly requested to verify the application dates for the residence document which vary from one to two months before its expiration from four months for some applications, depending on the residence document.
HR must monitor employee residence and work authorisation expiration dates, check work rights prior to hiring and monitor any applications for work rights. Employment contracts can also specify the documentation requirements needed for immigration as appropriate.
FAQs
Do all foreign workers take a French language test?
No. The new language requirements are applicable only to certain residence and nationality rules and exemptions exist/must be taken into consideration.
What is the French level needed to obtain a residence card?
The general requirement for the first application is A2.
What should be the minimum level of the resident card?
The general requirement for the first residence card is B1.
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