Proving your level of French for naturalisation: which tests and which diplomas are accepted

What the authorities require exactly since 2026

Until 31 December 2025, a B1 level was enough for a naturalisation application. This is no longer the case. The decree no. 2025-648 of 15 July 2025 raised the level of knowledge of French required of applicants for French nationality, both spoken and written, to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The same decree created the civic exam. Both measures apply to applications submitted from 1 January 2026.

In practice, the question is therefore no longer “do I speak French well enough?” but “which document proves my level, and is that document admissible?”. The two questions have nothing in common: you can have an excellent level and see your application declared incomplete because the certificate provided does not meet the formal requirements.

Only two routes: a diploma, or a test certificate

The order of 22 December 2025 on proof of the level of command of French required of applicants for French nationality (NOR INTV2536113A, published in the Journal officiel of 26 December 2025, applicable from 1 January 2026) settles the matter: there are only two types of proof.

Route 1, a diploma

Article 1 of the order lists the diplomas that count as proof of the required level:

• the diplôme national du brevet;
• a diploma issued by the State certifying a level at least equal to level 3 of the national classification of qualification levels;
• a professional certification registered in the national register of professional certifications at a level at least equal to level 3;
• any diploma certifying a level of French at least equivalent to CEFR B2.

This is the simplest route if you went to school in France: the brevet des collèges, a CAP, a BEP or any higher state diploma is enough, without taking any test. French as a foreign language diplomas such as DELF B2 or DALF fall under the fourth line: they are diplomas, not tests, and they have no expiry date.

Route 2, a language test certificate

If you have none of the diplomas above, you need a test. And here, the list is very short. Theorder of 22 December 2025 on language tests designates only two tests :

No other test is admissible for a nationality application. The version of the TEF adapted to these procedures is the TEF IRN IRN for integration, residence and nationality.

The formal requirements the certificate must meet

This is the point nobody reads, and the one that gets applications sent back. Article 2 of the order of 22 December 2025 imposes a series of conditions on the test itself. A certificate obtained under non-compliant conditions is worthless, even if the score is good.

1. 1All four skills must be assessed : listening comprehension, reading comprehension, spoken expression and written expression, in four separate papers. A test that assesses only speaking is not enough.
2. 2The test is taken in person, at a centre. Not remotely from home.
3. 3In a single session, on the same day : all four papers must be taken on the same day. The certifying body repeats this on its TEF IRN presentation page : “All papers must be taken on the same day for your certificate to be recognised by the competent authorities.”
4. 4Anti-fraud supervision during all the papers.
5. 5An identity check on a valid travel document, passport or European Union identity card, and a photograph of the candidate taken before the exam, which appears on the certificate (article 3).

The four mistakes that get a language document rejected

• Providing a B1. A perfectly valid B1 certificate is still not enough for an application submitted from 1 January 2026. The required level is B2, both spoken and written.
• Providing a certificate more than two years old. You have to take it again: there is no extension.
• Having taken the papers over several days, or remotely. The certificate exists, but it is not recognised for the application. This is the most costly mistake, because you only notice it when you submit.
• Taking a test that is not on the list. Only the TCF and the TEF are designated by the order of 22 December 2025.

To find out exactly which documents make up your application, beyond language, the administration’s official presentation, “Naturalisation française par décret” (French naturalisation by decree), offers a simulator that draws up the list according to your situation.

Where to take the TEF IRN, and at what price

MYSTORY FORMATION (registered name MY STORY, SASU, SIREN 913 423 083) has been an approved exam centre for the TEF IRN for two years. The certifying body is Le français des affaires: CCI Paris Île-de-France, the body designated by the order of 22 December 2025 for the TEF. The preparation course is registered under France Compétences listing RS6775, and our Qualiopi certification number is QUA007960 (valid from 19 July 2025 to 18 July 2028).

Before choosing a number of hours, the most useful thing is to measure your starting level: our free level test is taken online and places you on the CEFR scale. If you are aiming for B2, the B2 preparation course for naturalisation is the matching course, and it is eligible for CPF funding.