· 9 min read
Language Requirements for Permanent Residence in Europe: What Level Each Country Asks (2026)
By Language Lab editorial team
What language level you need for permanent residence in Germany, France, Austria, Finland and Czechia in 2026 — and where a Blue Card lowers the bar.
Permanent residence usually asks for less language than citizenship, but it increasingly asks for some. In France, the long-term resident–EU card requires B1 French. Austria's permanent "Daueraufenthalt – EU" permit requires Module 2 of the Integration Agreement — B1 German. Finland's main permanent-residence path (from 8 January 2026) needs B1 Finnish or Swedish. Czechia has an official A2 Czech exam for permanent residence. Germany requires "sufficient" German for the standard settlement permit, but EU Blue Card holders can settle after 27 months with only basic German — or after 21 months with sufficient German.
The comparison
| Country | Permit | Language requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Long-term resident–EU card (10 years) | B1 French, as part of "republican integration" | service-public.fr |
| Austria | Daueraufenthalt – EU | Module 2 of the Integration Agreement (B1 German) | Integration Act § 10 |
| Finland | Permanent residence, main path | B1 Finnish or Swedish (waived from 65) | Migri |
| Czechia | Permanent residence | Czech exam at A2 | Official exam website |
| Germany | Settlement permit (standard) | Sufficient German | Residence Act § 9 |
| Germany | Settlement permit for EU Blue Card holders | Basic German after 27 months, or sufficient German after 21 months | Residence Act § 18c |
Checked against official sources on 26 September 2026.
France: B1 for the 10-year card
According to service-public.fr, to obtain the long-term resident–EU card you must show resources, health cover and "republican integration", assessed in particular through your commitment to the Republic's principles and sufficient knowledge of French at level B1. The card is valid for 10 years and renewable.
Austria: B1 via the Integration Agreement
Austria's Integration Act requires third-country nationals applying for the permanent Daueraufenthalt – EU permit to have fulfilled Module 2 of the Integration Agreement. The Act defines Module 2 as German for independent use at level B1 — usually proven with a certificate from the Austrian Integration Fund showing you passed its integration exam.
Finland: B1 on the main path since 2026
Finland changed its permanent residence rules on 8 January 2026. Migri's main application path now requires 6 years with a continuous residence permit, at least 2 years of work history in Finland, and Finnish or Swedish at satisfactory level (B1). The language requirement doesn't apply from age 65.
Czechia: A2 for permanent residence
Czechia runs an official Czech language exam for permanent residence applicants at level A2, with its own website, preparation material and registration. Citizenship requires more: B1 Czech and a Czech life and institutions exam.
Germany: sufficient German, with a Blue Card shortcut
Germany's standard settlement permit (§ 9 of the Residence Act) requires sufficient German, along with five years on a residence permit and other conditions. Section 18c offers faster routes: skilled workers after three years with sufficient German, and EU Blue Card holders after 27 months of Blue Card employment with basic German — shortened to 21 months if they have sufficient German. It's a clear case where better German directly buys time.
Plan your language around your permit
- Find your permit's level now and set it as a dated goal.
- In Germany, reaching B1 early can cut your settlement wait on a Blue Card from 27 to 21 months.
- Take official exams well before you apply — certificates are part of the file.
- Practise speaking daily: Language Lab teaches French, German, Finnish, Swedish, Czech and more with voiced real-life scenarios.
What the levels mean for daily life
| Level | Typical situations you can handle |
|---|---|
| A2 | Shopping, simple appointments, short routine conversations. |
| B1 | Offices, doctors, landlords, school meetings and short formal messages — independently. |
Common mistakes
- Assuming permanent residence has no language rule because the first permit didn't.
- Booking a certificate the authority doesn't accept — check the list first.
- Leaving the exam until the residence years are complete, then waiting months for a test date.
- Ignoring speaking practice: most of these levels are judged on how you communicate, not on perfect grammar.
The simplest rule: find your target permit's level in your first year, put an exam date in the calendar, and study backwards from it.
Frequently asked
What level of French do I need for a 10-year residence card?
B1, as part of the republican integration condition for the long-term resident–EU card, according to service-public.fr.
Do I need German for permanent residence in Germany?
Yes. The standard settlement permit requires sufficient German. EU Blue Card holders can settle after 27 months with basic German, or 21 months with sufficient German.
What Czech level do I need for permanent residence?
A2, proven through the official Czech language exam for permanent residence.
What language level does Finland require for permanent residence?
On the main path from 8 January 2026, Finnish or Swedish at B1, together with 6 years' residence and 2 years' work history.
Sources: service-public.fr — carte de résident de longue durée-UE; Integrationsgesetz §§ 7, 10 (Austria, RIS); Migri — permanent residence permit; cestina-pro-cizince.cz (permanent residence exam); Aufenthaltsgesetz §§ 9, 18c (gesetze-im-internet.de). Checked 26 September 2026. Photo: Pont Alexandre III and the Grand Palais, Paris — Guilhem Vellut / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
