Thinking of starting a new life in France next year? 2026 brings new integration rules tied to the immigration law of 26 January 2024 and decrees/arrêtés published in July 2025, with application from 1 January 2026 (language and civic exam). With the right preparation, choosing the correct long-stay visa, lining up health insurance and accommodation, and starting French early, you can make the move with confidence. This guide breaks down exactly what to do, including the A2 French requirement for most multi-year residence permits, the new civic QCM, and practical steps for housing, health coverage, and community.
Table of Contents
Choose the right visa for your situation
Before moving to France in 2026, the most important decision you’ll make is choosing the right visa. Your visa category determines how long you can stay, whether you can work, and what rights you’ll have (healthcare access, banking, pathways to longer-term status). Most non-EU arrivals staying over 90 days need a long-stay visa.
Overview of French visa types
- Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS): The standard entry for stays over 90 days. You must validate it online within 3 months of arrival (not at OFII in person).3 After validation, you’re lawfully resident for the visa’s validity period.
- Family Reunification / Family visas: For eligible family members to join a resident in France.
- Entrepreneur / Profession libérale: For those creating or running a business with sufficient resources.
- Talent Permit (Talent Passport): Multi-year permit (up to 4 years) for specific categories (high-skilled workers, investors, researchers, etc.). 2026 language/QCM rules may apply differently at first issuance depending on category; always confirm with your préfecture. Regardless, language proof is required later for a 10-year resident card or citizenship.
Key changes to visa/residency policies in 2026
From 1 January 2026, France implements new integration requirements when you apply for multi-year residence permits and when you progress to longer-term statuses:
- A2 French required for most multi-year residence permits (cartes de séjour pluriannuelles).
- B1 French required for the 10-year resident card (carte de résident).
- B2 French required for citizenship (naturalisation) (raised from B1).5
- A civic multiple-choice exam (QCM) is added to the integration pathway (CIR), covering republican values, institutions, rights/duties, and culture/history; the pass threshold is set by decree, don’t assume a fixed 80% figure.
Tip: If you already sat an official test, note that language test/attestation validity is now limited (≤2 years) for residency purposes; make sure your proof is current.
Who’s affected (and who’s not)?
✅ Affected: Non-EU nationals applying for multi-year residence from 1 January 2026, and anyone later applying for a 10-year resident card or citizenship.
❌ Not affected: EU/EEA citizens. UK nationals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement keep their WA status and are processed under that regime; those moving after 1 Jan 2021 without WA links are under ordinary third-country rules.
Exemptions & discretion: Some exemptions and accommodations exist (e.g., serious health conditions). Application of the rules and any waivers is handled by your préfecture; check local guidance.
Understand the new language requirements (2026 update)
From January 2026: plan for A2 (multi-year card), B1 (10-year resident card), and B2 (citizenship). What A2 looks like in practice: everyday interactions, basic personal information, simple routine tasks (bureaucracy, healthcare, errands). Consider preparing with TCF IRN or DELF; since May 2025, TCF IRN can assess up to B2, which aligns with the new citizenship threshold.
What is the Civic Knowledge Exam (QCM)?
The 2026 changes add a QCM at the end of the CIR civic training, on republican principles/values, rights & duties in France, and basic institutional/cultural knowledge. The format and scoring are defined by decree; do not assume a fixed “80% pass” rule.
Preparing now: Don’t leave it too late
Start French now, even 15 minutes daily compounds over a year. Track your study hours and keep certificates. If you initially fall short, préfectures can impose additional integration steps or shorter permits while you reach the level, this isn’t automatic.
Secure accommodation before you move
Whether you’re planning to buy a property in France or rent while you get settled, securing a place to live before you move is one of the most important parts of your relocation journey. Accommodation planning is crucial, for peace of mind and because proof of accommodation is often required for visas/border checks (lease/deed or attestation d’accueil if staying with a private host). Short-term rentals and hotels often don’t satisfy proof-of-address for residency formalities.
Buying in France
If you’re confident about your new life in France and ready to put down roots, buying a property can be a rewarding step.
Some key things to keep in mind: Foreigners can freely buy property in France, no special permission is needed. You’ll typically pay notaire fees of around 7–8% of the purchase price (lower for new builds). Transactions are handled by a notaire (state-appointed officer). A French bank account often makes practicalities easier (payments, utilities), though some providers accept foreign SEPA IBANs.
The compromis de vente (pre-sale contract) is legally binding, with a short cooling-off period. You’ll need a French bank account to manage the transaction and utilities.
🏡 Download our Free eBook: Guide to Buying Property in France for everything you need to know, step-by-step.
Renting in France
If you’re not ready to buy or just want to explore the country before committing to one location, renting is a smart choice. But be warned, renting in France as a foreigner can be surprisingly complex, especially without a French credit history or employment contract.
Landlords typically request:
- A rental dossier (proof of income, ID, visa/residence status)
- A French guarantor or insurance-based rental guarantee (like Visale)
- A French bank account and often a French phone number
🔗 Need help securing a rental before you arrive? Explore our long-term rentals assistance service for support with finding properties, viewings, negotiations, and dossier preparation.
Getting private health insurance
For a long-stay visa, you must show comprehensive private health insurance covering your full visa validity (requirements vary by consulate and purpose) that includes hospitalisation, emergency care, and full medical coverage appropriate for a resident (not a short-term tourist policy). Don’t confuse this with the 30,000 € minimum, that figure applies to short-stay Schengen visas.
When can you apply for public healthcare?
After 3 months of stable, lawful residence, you can apply to join PUMa (the French national health system). Bring proof of residence (e.g., lease, bills) and your ID/visa. Some categories are admitted without delay.
Once you’re in the system, add a complémentaire santé (mutuelle) to cover the portion not reimbursed by the state.
Learn some French
Let’s be honest: while you can survive in France without French, you won’t thrive. From navigating bureaucracy to making local friends and integrating into everyday life, learning the language is key to a smoother, more fulfilling expat experience. And with new French language requirements taking effect in 2026, there’s now an official reason to start studying sooner rather than later.
- It’s now legally required: from 2026, plan for A2 (multi-year), B1 (resident card), B2 (citizenship).
- It improves your quality of life and job options.
- Certification: Consider TCF IRN/DELF; remember the ≤2-year validity rule for language attestations used in residency files.
How to start learning French (before you move)
You don’t need to wait until you arrive, there are plenty of resources available online or locally in your home country.
Free Options:
- Duolingo: Good for vocabulary and daily practice.
- TV5MONDE Apprendre: Designed for French learners with real-world video content. FrenchPod101 & YouTube: Great for listening practice on the go.
- Anki: Flashcards for learning essential vocabulary.
Paid Courses & Apps:
- Alliance Française: Global network of language schools with high-quality classes.
- Babbel or Rosetta Stone: Good for structured online lessons.
- italki or Preply: 1-on-1 lessons with native tutors tailored to your level.
Language Tip: Don’t let perfection stop you. Even if your accent is strong or your grammar’s off, don’t worry, just speak. French people respect the effort, and every awkward conversation is one step closer to fluency.
Join expat & local communities before the move
Moving to France can be thrilling, but it can also feel isolating, especially if you don’t know anyone, don’t speak French fluently yet, or are navigating complex systems alone. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. Joining expat and local communities before you move can make a massive difference in how quickly and comfortably you settle in.
Why community matters
When moving to France, whether you’re coming solo, with a partner, or as a family, connecting with others helps you:
- Find housing leads and local recommendations
- Understand how the system works (CPAM, CAF, Préfecture, etc.)
- Navigate culture shock
- Make local friends and feel like you belong
Expat life is easier when you have people to turn to who’ve been through it all before, or are going through it right alongside you.
Where to find communities online (before you arrive)
You can start building your support network before you even set foot in France:
- Facebook groups: Search “[City/Region] expats” or “British/American in [City]”. There are thriving groups for Paris, Dordogne, Nice, Lyon, Occitanie, and more.
- Meetup.com: Look for groups centred around language exchange, hiking, book clubs, business networking, or culture.
- Internations: A global network for expats, with regular events in most French cities.
- Reddit: Subreddits like r/expat and r/France can be surprisingly helpful for real talk and honest answers.
Planning ahead = Settling in faster
By lining up your visa, accommodation, insurance, and language plan early, and understanding the 2026 rules, you’ll land in France ready to thrive.
Planning a move to France or just thinking about it?
Book a free 30-minute call with our team for personalised guidance on relocating to France. 👉 Schedule your call here
Not ready for a call? No problem. Explore our free resources to learn at your own pace:
📚 Browse the blog for expert tips
🎧 Listen to our podcast for real stories and insights
Wherever you are in your France journey, we’re here to help.
