From January 1, 2026, learning French is no longer just recommended in France. It’s a legal requirement for obtaining your next residence permit. The free French course for immigrants is integrated into the Contrat d’Intégration Républicaine (CIR), managed by the OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration).
It’s mandatory for almost any non-European foreigner who wants to settle permanently in France.
How the process works in France
When you sign the CIR, the OFII administers a written and oral proficiency test. If your French is below level A2, you’ll be assigned up to 600 hours of free language training, either in person or on an online platform like Frello. The in-person course is offered in three formats depending on your availability: intensive (between 20 and 30 hours per week), semi-intensive (between 11 and 19 hours), or extensive (between 6 and 10 hours).
This allows you to combine your French course with work or job searching. If you already have a language diploma or certificate demonstrating level A2 or higher, you are exempt from this assessment. The certificate must be less than two years old.
You are also exempt from signing the CIR (Certificate of French Language Proficiency) if you completed at least three years of secondary education at a French institution, or at least one year of higher education in France. Holders of a student residence permit are also exempt. The most important change in the 2026 reform: you now need a certified A2 level to obtain a multi-year residence permit, and a B1 level if you are applying for a 10-year residence permit.
Before 2026, this certified language requirement did not exist in most cases. If you want to progress faster than the pace of the public course, there are also private language academies and online French tutors offering intensive conversation classes. It’s a good complementary option if your goal is to reach B1 level before a deadline.
In addition to language training, the CIR includes a mandatory 4-day civics course on French history, citizenship, and the workings of French society. At the end, you take a 40-question civics exam, where you need at least 32 correct answers to pass. The entire process—language training, civics course, and exam—is completely free, funded by the French government through the OFII (French Office for International Relations).
You only need to pay for each additional retake of the civics exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the French course free?
Yes, the CIR language training is completely free, funded by the government. Private academies and private lessons are not free.
What level of French do I need?
A2 for the multi-year residence permit, B1 for the 10-year residence permit, and B2 if you are applying for citizenship.
Am I exempt if I already have a language certificate?
Yes, if your diploma or certificate is less than two years old and demonstrates A2 or higher.
Can I study online?
Yes, if your initial level allows it, you can continue your training on the Frello platform. Once you have your language skills sorted, the next logical step is to understand how your residence permit works in France and what changed with the 2026 reform.
We explain it in our guide on living and working in France .