From January 1, 2026, foreigners wishing to settle in France long term will be required to pass a civic exam in order to obtain certain residence permits or French nationality.
This measure was introduced by the Law of January 26, 2024 on immigration control and improved integration.
The goal of this exam is to ensure that future long-term residents understand the values of the French Republic, the rights and duties of people living in France, and the basic rules of French society.
What Is the Civic Exam?
The civic exam evaluates a candidate’s knowledge of:
- the principles and values of the French Republic,
- French institutions and democracy,
- fundamental rights and obligations,
- French history, culture, and daily life.
Exam Format
- Duration: up to 45 minutes
- Format: digital exam
- Type: multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
- Number of questions: 40
- 28 general knowledge questions
- 12 situational questions (real-life scenarios)
- Answers: 1 correct answer out of 4
- Passing score: 32 correct answers (80%)
⚠️ The exam is entirely in French.
Who Must Take the Civic Exam?
From January 1, 2026, passing the civic exam will be mandatory for foreigners who want to:
- apply for French nationality, or
- apply for a multi-year residence permit
(carte de séjour pluriannuelle or carte de résident),
if they are nationals of a non-EU country.
In short: this exam is for people who want to live in France long term.
Who Does NOT Need to Take the Exam?
You do not need to take the civic exam if:
- you are renewing an existing residence permit;
- you are a citizen of the European Union;
- you benefit from international protection (for example, refugee status);
- you are staying in France for a short period (tourism or short-term visa).
Important: the civic exam is not required for permit renewals.
When Do You Take the Civic Exam?
The civic exam must be passed before submitting an application for:
- a multi-year residence permit, or
- French naturalization.
Civic Training Comes First
For people applying for a multi-year residence permit, the exam takes place at the end of mandatory civic training, which includes:
- 24 hours of training
- spread over 4 days
- conducted in French
- held in approved training centers in France
Until now, this training was completed after receiving a residence permit.
From 2026, candidates must complete the training and pass the exam before receiving the permit.
📌 Good to know:
The certificate of success has no expiration date.
What Topics Are Covered in the Exam?
The civic exam questions are based on five official themes:
- Principles and values of the Republic
(national motto, symbols, secularism) - Institutions and political system
(President, government, Parliament, European Union) - Rights, duties, and obligations
(equality, freedom, respect for the law) - History, geography, and culture
- Living in French society
(education system, work, family life, public services)
Why Is This Exam Important?
This exam is not about entering France.
It is about staying in France.
The French government considers that people who want to live permanently in France must be able to:
- understand the language,
- know their rights and duties,
- respect the values of the Republic,
- participate in everyday civic life.
Preparing for the Civic Exam
Official preparation materials and information about approved exam centers are available on the Ministry of the Interior’s civic training website:
👉 https://formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr/
However, these resources are written in administrative French and are not designed for language learners.
This blog offers a learner-friendly alternative:
- explanations in clear, simple French,
- full explanations in English,
- key civic vocabulary explained,
- realistic practice quizzes based on the official exam.
The goal is not to replace official information, but to help learners understand it and pass the civic exam with confidence.
Why This Blog Can Help You
On NativeFrenchTeacher, the civic exam is explained:
- step by step,
- with bilingual explanations (French + English),
- through short, focused lessons,
- and exam-style multiple-choice questions.
Some lessons are available for free, while others are offered as paid PDF guides for learners who want full preparation and structured revision.
This method is designed to help you prepare efficiently, reduce stress, and succeed with confidence.