For a French naturalisation application submitted since January 1, 2026, you need a B2 level in French, in addition to the civic exam. On the TEF IRN, B2 is achieved with at least 400 points in three tests and at least 367 in the fourth, according to the test publisher. The test lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and its four tests are taken on the same day.
The level required for your procedure
Decrees No. 2025-647 and No. 2025-648 raised the French levels required in France. Here are the thresholds in force for applications submitted since January 1, 2026, according to our research.
| Procedure | French level | Civic exam |
|---|---|---|
| First multi-year residence permit | A2 | Yes |
| First resident card | B1 (A2 before 2026) | Yes |
| Naturalisation | B2 (B1 before 2026) | Yes |
| Nationality through marriage | B2 | No |
The difference between B1 and B2 is significant. According to the publisher, B1 corresponds to scores of 300 to 399 per test, and B2 starts at 400. A candidate who had the required level for naturalisation in 2025 may therefore need to improve considerably for an application submitted in 2026.
The TEF IRN format since April 1, 2025
The TEF IRN was reformed on April 1, 2025: it now assesses levels A1 to B2, with an adaptive part, in 1 hour 30 minutes instead of 1 hour 20 minutes. Here is its format, based on the publisher's TEF IRN page, read in its archived version of July 31, 2026.
| Test | Content | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Reading comprehension | 20 questions: 10 at varied levels, then 10 adapted to the candidate's level | 30 min |
| Listening comprehension | 20 questions, including 10 adaptive ones: voicemail messages, announcements, vox pops, interviews | 20 min |
| Writing | A: a message asking a friend for news, 40 words; B: setting out your motivations to convince someone, 100 words | 30 min |
| Speaking | A: phoning to obtain information; B: helping a friend make a decision | 10 min |
The examiner introduces each speaking topic. Be wary of older documents: the handbook for test centre managers of October 2025 still describes the old format, with 13 and 17 questions.
How B2 is calculated
Each test receives a level based on its score: A1 from 100 to 199, A2 from 200 to 299, B1 from 300 to 399, B2 from 400. The overall level is then calculated across the four tests, according to the publisher's TEF IRN page.
| Overall level | Condition |
|---|---|
| A1 | At least 100 in each test |
| A2 | At least 200 in three tests and 167 in the fourth |
| B1 | At least 300 in three tests and 267 in the fourth |
| B2 | At least 400 in three tests and 367 in the fourth |
Here are two fictional examples of the calculation. With 420, 410, 405 and 370, the candidate has three tests at 400 or more and a fourth above 367: they obtain B2. With 450, 430, 390 and 380, they only have two tests at 400 or more: they obtain B1, not B2, despite a high average.
This calculation has a practical consequence: a single weak test can make you miss B2. Identify it early and work on it first, without neglecting the other three.
TEF IRN or TCF IRN?
The ministerial orders (arrêtés) of December 22, 2025 require 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. They name the TEF from CCI Paris Île-de-France and the TCF from France Éducation international: neither is given preference.
On the TEF side, the only version listed in this register is the TEF IRN, under entry RS6775, valid until October 1, 2027. The TEF Canada is not listed: in our reading, it therefore does not meet this criterion. Our TEF or TCF Canada comparison concerns Canada, not France.
Prices, centres and funding
In France, the TEF IRN costs EUR 160 to 220 in most of the centres reviewed by our research: EUR 170 at WTC Marseille Provence, EUR 180 at Lyon Exam and EUR 205 at the Alliance Française Paris Île-de-France. On October 22, 2026, the official directory listed 120 locations in France with an open TEF IRN session.
The TEF IRN has been eligible for funding through France's personal training account (compte personnel de formation, CPF) since October 1, 2024, according to our research. Some centres outside France also offer it: DZD 45,000 at Pigier in Algeria, 170,000 CFA francs at the Institut français de Côte d'Ivoire. All these prices should be checked with the centre.
Preparing for B2
B2 requires you to understand a variety of documents and to defend a position. The TEF IRN writing and speaking tests are short, 40 and 100 words in writing, 10 minutes in speaking: every sentence counts, and precise vocabulary makes the difference.
Our mock tests follow the TEF Canada format, which is longer than the TEF IRN, but they train the same skills. Take a reading comprehension mock test to see where your estimated score stands against the 400 threshold. Mock tests marked “Free” are available with a free account.
Do not learn any text by heart. According to the publisher's conditions, reciting a memorized text is penalized as fraud: the test is cancelled and you are banned for one year.
Frequently asked questions
What TEF IRN score do you need for B2?
At least 400 in three tests and at least 367 in the fourth, according to the publisher. One test below 367, or two tests below 400, is enough to make you miss B2.
Is the TEF Canada accepted for French naturalisation?
According to our reading of the orders of December 22, 2025, no: the test must be listed in the France Compétences register, where the only active version of the TEF is the TEF IRN. Check your situation with the authorities before applying.
Do you need to take the civic exam for naturalisation?
Yes, since January 1, 2026, in addition to B2. Nationality through marriage requires B2 without a civic exam. Our article on French naturalisation in figures presents the context and the volumes.
Are there any exemptions from the test?
A medical exemption exists, to be claimed at the prefecture, according to the publisher. Its TEF IRN page still cites a 2018 circular, whose exemption based on a foreign diploma was abolished in 2026: rely on the texts currently in force.
In short
For naturalisation, aim for at least 400 in three TEF IRN tests and 367 in the fourth, and prepare for the civic exam too. Train your weakest test first: try a speaking mock test, then look at the subscription, which gives access to the other mock tests. If you still live outside France, our article on taking the TEF remotely points out that no test can be taken online.
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.