British expats dealt blow as French immigration bill introduces 'very difficult' language requirements
Amendments to the French immigration bill came into effect in January
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Settling in a foreign country can present unique challenges to expats, with language barriers often perceived as the most poignant.
Despite gaping differences in the French and English languages, France has long been one of the leading destinations for Britons.
With a relatively low cost of living and a high quality of life, it is no surprise the nation has emerged as a popular choice for expats.
A new set of immigration rules could call for thorough research and careful foreplanning, however.
France has long been a popular choice for British ex-pats
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New rules implemented at the end of January require applicants for French residency to meet language requirements.
Although there will be no language test for short-term residency cards, the multi-year ‘carte de sejour pluriannuelle’, will require applications to demonstrate language skills of A2 or above the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
This residency card enables foreigners to move to France or remain there for a pre-agreed period.
For the ‘carte de resident’ - a 10-year card issued to long-term residents who either can’t or don’t want to apply for French citizenship - the language requirements rise from A2 to B2.
Marie Caroline Saglio-Yatzimirsky, director of the French Collaborative Institute on Migration, said: “The B2 level is very advanced and mainly used in academic settings. [...] Migrants [...] who aren’t familiar with Latin words and the alphabet will find it very difficult to learn.”
Other amendments to the immigration bills could see welfare benefits become tougher to access.
The new raft of measures is aimed at taking a stricter line on immigration and ensuring immigrants have the right skills to integrate into local communities.
It comes as the European Commission in 2020 found that 62 per cent of British respondents couldn’t speak a second language.
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Stricter immigration laws could present a hurdle to Britons seeking residency in France
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The English Proficiency Index released by the global education company Education First has released data ranking the top countries in Europe for English speakers.
It found that northern European countries ranked highly, with Finland and Sweden securing the 9th and 8th spot in the ranking.
The Netherlands was crowned the top destination, with between 91 and 93 per cent of Dutch natives able to hold a conversation in English. It was followed shortly by Austria.
Italy, on the other hand, came last on the list.