In 2025, 98,139 people acquired French nationality, 5.3% fewer than in 2024, according to INSEE, France's national statistics institute (publication of July 9, 2026). French naturalisation applications submitted since January 1, 2026 require a B2 level in French, instead of B1 previously, as well as the civic exam (Decree No. 2025-648). Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia are the leading nationalities, according to France's Ministry of the Interior.
Acquisitions of French nationality from 2023 to 2025
The table shows all acquisitions of French nationality and two of the routes to it: naturalisation by decree and declaration by marriage. Sources: INSEE (July 9, 2026) and the Ministry of the Interior's report to Parliament “Les étrangers en France 2025” (Foreigners in France 2025), dated September 28, 2026.
| Acquisitions of nationality | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 97,288 | 103,661 | 98,139 (−5.3%) |
| of which naturalisations by decree | 39,721 | 48,494 | 42,063 |
| of which declarations by marriage | 19,455 | 15,910 | 17,579 |
Naturalisations by decree fell from 48,494 in 2024 to 42,063 in 2025, while declarations by marriage rose again, from 15,910 to 17,579. The two “of which” lines do not add up to the total: the other ways of acquiring nationality are not detailed here.
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia: the leading nationalities
By nationality, the Ministry of the Interior's preliminary 2025 figures put Morocco first with 9,548 acquisitions, ahead of Algeria (7,985) and Tunisia (4,917). Côte d'Ivoire has 1,947, Senegal 1,830 and Cameroon 1,672. These figures cover the Ministry of the Interior's scope.
For Mali, the DRC, Guinea, the Comoros and Haiti, our research did not find any published figures for 2024 and 2025. These data describe the past: they guarantee no naturalisation. For the test itself, see our articles on the TEF IRN and naturalisation and on whether the TEF can be taken online.
Why 2025 fell: a circular and early applications
The Ministry of the Interior attributes the 2025 decline to the circular of May 2, 2025, which it describes as “more demanding in terms of integration”. According to the same source, naturalisation applications submitted online rose from 131,083 in 2024 to 153,850 in 2025, an increase attributed to applicants anticipating the new requirements.
In other words, some applicants filed before the switch to the B2 level. If your application is submitted on or after January 1, 2026, B2 applies (Decree No. 2025-648): allow the preparation time you need before putting your file together.
The French levels required since 2026
Since January 1, 2026, each procedure has its own level, under Decrees No. 2025-647 and No. 2025-648. The level is proven with a test that assesses all four skills, taken in person on the same day and listed in the specific register (répertoire spécifique) of France Compétences, according to the ministerial orders (arrêtés) of December 22, 2025.
| Procedure | French level | Civic exam | Legal text |
|---|---|---|---|
| First multi-year residence permit | A2 | Yes | Decree No. 2025-647 |
| First resident card | B1 (A2 before 2026) | Yes | Decree No. 2025-647 |
| Naturalisation | B2 (B1 before 2026), for applications submitted since January 1, 2026 | Yes | Decree No. 2025-648 |
| Nationality through marriage | B2 | No | Decree No. 2025-648 |
Some third-party websites say the civic exam is required for nationality through marriage. For nationality, however, the official texts only provide for it in cases of naturalisation and reinstatement: rely on the official texts rather than on third-party websites before you apply.
The orders name the TEF from CCI Paris and the TCF from France Éducation international. On the TEF side, only the TEF IRN is active in the France Compétences register, according to our research: a TEF Canada does not appear to meet this criterion, as our TEF or TCF Canada comparison notes. The TEF IRN scoring for B2 is set out in our article on the TEF IRN and naturalisation.
On the TEF scale, B2 corresponds to a score of 400 to 499 out of 699, according to the test publisher's official correspondence table. To check your level, try a reading comprehension mock test: its format is that of the TEF Canada, not the TEF IRN, but its estimated score out of 699 shows where you stand. A free account is enough for mock tests marked “Free”.
The civic exam in figures
The civic exam has been mandatory since January 1, 2026 for the procedures in the table, except nationality through marriage. As of May 26, 2026, 71,125 people had taken it, with an 81% pass rate, in 444 centres, according to the Ministry of the Interior. It costs EUR 60 to 80 according to the same source, an amount to check with the centre before you register.
Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France), the publisher of the TEF, has also been running this exam since December 2025. But the civic exam is not a TEF: it does not replace the French test, and naturalisation requires both.
Residence permits: other useful figures
The higher levels also affect residence permits. First multi-year residence permits (cartes de séjour pluriannuelles) rose from 44,463 in 2024 to 55,690 in 2025, a preliminary figure, and 109,176 first resident cards were issued in 2024, according to the Ministry of the Interior's report to Parliament (September 28, 2026).
According to public data released on August 21, 2026, 345,587 first residence permits were issued in 2024. For 2025, the Ministry of the Interior's estimates range from 377,462 to 384,230 depending on the version. Here are the nationalities tracked by our research for 2024.
| Nationality | First residence permits in 2024 |
|---|---|
| Morocco | 36,962 |
| Algeria | 29,346 |
| Tunisia | 22,499 |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 11,871 |
| Senegal | 9,419 |
| Cameroon | 9,213 |
| Guinea | 7,704 |
| Haiti | 6,179 |
| Comoros | 5,925 |
| DR Congo | 5,823 |
| Mali | 5,156 |
| Total, all nationalities | 345,587 |
The 2023 impact assessment estimated that 15,000 to 20,000 applicants for a multi-year permit would be refused each year at the A2 level. For 2026, the Direction générale des étrangers en France (DGEF, General Directorate for Foreigners in France) “anticipates between 50,000 and 80,000 candidates”, excluding naturalisation, according to the Senate report on the 2026 finance bill. These are estimates, not results.
Frequently asked questions
What French level is required for French naturalisation in 2026?
B2, for applications submitted since January 1, 2026, under Decree No. 2025-648; it was B1 before. The civic exam is also required. On the TEF scale, B2 corresponds to a score of 400 to 499 out of 699, according to the test publisher's official correspondence table.
Is the civic exam required for French nationality through marriage?
No, according to the official texts: Decree No. 2025-648 requires the B2 level for nationality through marriage, without a civic exam. Some third-party websites claim otherwise; rely on the texts and check your situation before applying.
How many naturalisations were there in France in 2025?
According to INSEE, 98,139 people acquired French nationality in 2025, including 42,063 by naturalisation decree and 17,579 by declaration following a marriage. That is 5.3% fewer than in 2024, a decline the Ministry of the Interior links to the circular of May 2, 2025.
In short
Naturalisation now requires B2 and the civic exam, and past figures guarantee no favourable decision. To measure your listening, try a listening comprehension mock test: its format is that of the TEF Canada, but its estimated score out of 699 shows where you stand against the 400 threshold. The subscription gives access to the other mock tests.
Réussir Mon TEF is an independent practice platform. It is not affiliated with Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France), which designs the TEF, or with any immigration authority. Our mock tests are original: they are not official test papers.