On April 1st 2020, the TEF certificate is changing! As requested but the Interior Ministry, 4 sections of the test will apear on the certificate (reading, listening, speaking and writing).. Until January, 31st 2020 TEF Naturaliation exam sessions composed of 2 sections will still be available. Please, make sure to get an apointment at your local Préfecture before April 1st, 2020 if you choose to take this version of the test. From February 1st, 2020 onwards – TEF Naturalisation exam sessions composed of 4 sections (readning, listening, speaking, and writing) will be available at our partner testing centers. Please get in touch with your local testing center to get more information. |
The TEF Naturalisation examination is recognised by the French Ministry for the Interior and is indispensable for anyone applying to the French State for naturalisation as a French citizen.
It is designed to measure the level of oral comprehension and oral expression in French.
Please note: it does not concern applications to emigrate to Quebec or Canada.
Remember, you can also provide confirmation of your level of competency in French with a Diploma in Professional French. Valid for life, these diplomas are also recognised by the Ministry for the Interior and will also be an asset on your CV.
TEF Naturalisation consists of two tests:
To register, please contact the nearest testing centre!
If you cannot find a centre that offers the TEF Naturalisation examination in your country, please contact us at the following email address: francais@cci-paris-idf.fr
Sessions are also offered on the Paris Île-de-France CCI premises, at 6 avenue de la Porte de Champerret (Paris 17th district).
The statements of results are in digital format.
After Le français des affaires has received and corrected your exam, you will be sent an email within 15 business days, containing a link that will enable you to access your secure digital area and obtain your statement of results.
See an example of a certificate
The required level of linguistic competency for French naturalisation applications is Level B1 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
For further information, please consult the Order of 11 October 2011 establishing the list of diplomas and certificates required by applicants for French nationality, pursuant to Decree no. 93-1362 of 30 December 1993.
Yes, there are exemptions from the TEF Naturalisation requirement.
For further information, please consult the website of the Ministry for the Interior or the Order of 11 October 2011 establishing the list of recognised diplomas and certificates required for French nationality applications.
Information about the latest official provisions concerning French naturalisation application procedures is available on the Ministry for the Interior website.
This statement is recognised and accepted by the Prefectures. There is no need to present an official statement of results on paper. You can simply print out your electronic statement.
You will receive the statement of results for the TEF Naturalisation examination in digital format.
However, if you would like a statement on paper in addition to your digital statement, you can order this document for €50:
When your register for the TEF Naturalisation examination, Le Français des Affaires will collect a certain amount of information in accordance with the French laws on naturalisation applications.
If you obtain the required level, your data will be made available to the French authorities. If you object to the transmission of this information or if you modify or delete this data, the French authorities will be unable to process your naturalisation application.
Le Français des Affaires will keep your data on file for 10 years. The data transmitted to the French authorities will be kept on file in accordance with French laws.
You have the right to access your personal data, and the right to modify or delete these data by contacting francais@cci-paris-idf.fr.