Published on: December 04, 2025 | Article No: 339 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
Last updated on: February 05, 2025
France is introducing a new civic exam on 1st January 2026 for foreign nationals who want to settle in the country over the long term. This requirement comes from the law adopted on 26th January 2024, which aims to reinforce both French language expectations and the integration process for newcomers.
The exam checks whether candidates understand the principles and values that shape the French Republic. It also evaluates their knowledge of the way France is organized and how the French society functions. By adding this requirement, France wants to make sure that future long-term residents share a common foundation of civic knowledge.
If you have any questions, please feel free to use the comments section at the end of this article.
Here is some additionnal context based on the questions asked in the comments,
- This new civic exam is about testing the applicant’s knowledge about Fraance and its society. It is not for testing the French language level.
- From January 2026, there is a change in French language level requirements too. This topic is explained in a detailed article: New language requirements for French resident permits & citizenship
- Both these updates are not applicable to applications submitted until 31st December 2025.
Who must take the Civic Exam and Who is exempt?
The civic exam is required for any foreign national submitting a first-time application for:
✅ A multi-year residence permit of 2-4 years (première carte de séjour pluriannuelle CSP)
✅ A 10-year resident card (première carte de résident)
✅ French nationality (naturalisation). Only people who pass the civic exam will have the interview later. Do not submit an application on ANEF without passing the exam. More details on Les procédures d’accès à la nationalité française
Certain people do not need to take the exam, including:
- People over 65 years of age.
- Carte de séjour Talent (all categories). Formerly known as Passeport Talent.
- 1-year Carte de séjour temporaire (CST) like visiteur, salarié, travailleur temporaire, etc.
- French nationality via declaration procedures related to marriage with French citizens, parents (ascendants), and siblings.
- Beneficiaries of international protection.
- Nationals of countries linked to France through specific bilateral agreements.
- Applicants who hold a multi-year residence permit CSP or 10-year resident card and are simply renewing it are also not required to take the exam. For example: If you are having a 4-year Carte de Séjour Salarié or Talent, you do not have to take the exam for during renewal.
Note: People with a disability or a long-term health condition that makes it impossible to meet the requirements under rules set by the relevant government ministries, either: (medical certificate mandatory)
- Get special arrangements to take the required tests and civic exam, or
Be excused from providing the relevant diplomas, certificates, or test attestations altogether.
How the Civic Exam works?
The civic exam contains 40 multiple-choice questions written in French. Each question includes four answer choices. It is defined in an official knowledge guide listed in Annexure I, which serves as the basis for designing exam questions and evaluating candidates.
Each candidate receives the same number of questions for every theme and sub-theme. There are two main categories of questions:
- Knowledge questions that check factual understanding
- Scenarios that test how candidates react to everyday situations in France
Together, these questions cover five themes that are central to civic training:
✅ Principles and values of the French Republic
✅ Institutional and political system
✅ Rights and duties
✅ History, geography, and culture
✅ Living in French society
Format of the Civic Exam
✅ Type of test: Multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ).
✅ Number of questions: 40 questions in total.
✅ Duration: 45 minutes.
✅ Method: The exam is taken on a digital device such as a computer or tablet.
✅ Exam Difficulty: The level depends on the type of residence permit application. Applicants for a 10-year resident card face a higher level of complexity than those applying for a multi-year residence permit.
✅ Passing score: Every question has only one correct answer. A correct answer earns 1 point. A wrong answer or no answer earns 0 points. To pass, candidates must score at least 32 correct answers, which represents 80 percent.
Addtional deatils on Civic Exam Structure:
1. Principles and Values of the French Republic: 11 Questions
- Motto and symbols of the Republic: 3 questions
- Laïcité: 2 questions
- Scenarios: 6 questions
2. Institutional and Political System: 6 Questions
- Democracy and the right to vote: 3 questions
- Organization of the French Republic: 2 questions
- European institutions: 1 question
3. Rights and Duties: 11 Questions
- Fundamental rights: 2 questions
- Obligations and duties of people living in France: 3 questions
- Scenarios: 6 questions
4. History, Geography, and Culture: 8 Questions
- Key historical periods and notable figures: 3 questions
- Territories and geography: 3 questions
- French heritage: 2 questions
5. Living in French Society: 4 Questions
- Settling and residing in France: 1 question
- Access to healthcare: 1 question
- Working in France: 1 question
- Parental authority and education system: 1 question
When and Where to Take the Civic Exam?
Candidates must pass the civic exam before submitting their residence permit application. Exam centers will start opening near the end of 2025, and the certificate of ciivc exam success becomes mandatory on 1st January 2026.
List of Exam Centers: Two organizations are approved by the French Ministry of the Interior to run the civic exam:
- Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP) – provides accredited test centers and registration procedures. More details on francais.cci-paris-idf.fr/candidat?
- France Éducation International (FEI) – accredited centers and registration details will be published soon.
Exam Cost: Registration fees are set by the examination centre. Rates may vary from one centre to another.
There is no limit to the number of attempts. You can take the exam whenever you want, and you can retake it as many times as needed. Once you pass, the certificate has no expiration date.
How to Prepare and Register for Civic Exam?
Preparation resources are available on the official civic training website. Candidates can access:
✅ The full exam program
✅ Thematic study sheets
✅ The official list of knowledge questions for both multi-year residence permit and 10-year resident card levels. (these offical resources are under construction)
✅ Registration instructions
These tools make it easier to understand what to study and how to practice effectively before the exam date.
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Sources & References
- Arrêté du 10 octobre 2025 relatif au programme, aux épreuves et aux modalités d’organisation de l’examen civique
- Journal officiel électronique authentifié n° 0240 du 12/10/2025
- Informations générales sur l’examen civique
- Liste officielle des questions de connaissance – CSP
- Liste officielle des questions de connaissance – CR
Hi sir,
I Read your article thanks for sharing, i need small information in above ‘A multi-year residence permit of 2-4 years (première carte de séjour pluriannuelle)’ here you mentioned premiere, but my salary visa was finished in August 2025 again when i went renewal i got again 1 year still august 2026. My question is still i need to write my civil exam and i need to submit my A2 level certificate?
Hello,
Unfortunately, the civic exam is applicable for you in 2026 as explained above.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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Hi bro, thank you for your response. I understand but you mentioned in “Certain people do not need to take the exam” in second point – Applicants of 1-year carte de séjour temporarie in this I hold salary – temporarie travailleur card de séjour. So, still I need to take civil exam?
Hello,
I have clearly mentioned in the article that this Exam is for multi-year cards & citizenship.
Yes, you need to take the exam for the renewal of your card.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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Hello sir,
Thank you for the posting the update and sharing lots of information.
I understand from the post that the civic exam is mandatory for the first Carte de séjour – salarié application.
But I wanted to check if the civic exam is also mandatory for masters students who already have a carte de sejour plurianuelle and will be graduating soon and applying for a Passport Talent or EU Blue card (which are a special category of CdS) in the coming year
Thank you
Hello Vinay,
This is already explained in the above article. It’s not applicable in your case except when you apply for a 10-year card or French nationality.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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Hello Prashanth,
1. I have changed my status to passport talent visa before two months. My file is in “en instruction” do I need to also give this exams ? If I receive decision in January 2026 ?
2. Next year I would be inviting my wife for dependent visa on this passport talent. It’s her first time in France so she needs to pass this exam too ?
Thanks
Hello Abdul,
1. No, it is not applicable for any applications submitted in 2025.
2. Carte de Séjour Talent (all categories) are exempt from the new language requirements. More details on https://prasanthragupathy.com/2024/03/faq-new-language-requirements-for-french-resident-permits-citizenship/
Regarding the Civic Exam (in French) applicable from January 2026, I did not see any such exemptions. But, I will check the offcial documents again for this topic and if required add a note in this article by this week.
Cheers,
Prasanth
PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot
Hi,
My 1st card was for 4 years and 2nd also for 4 years. My renewal period is now showing open on ANEF. I want to apply for 10 years.
So if I submit my documents with A2, before end of 2025. Do I still need to take the exam ?
Thanks
Hello Amar,
The new language requirements & civic exam are applicable only for applications submitted from 1st Jan 2026. The same is explained above.
Cheers,
Prasanth
PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot
Hello there, thanks a lot for the information! I am guessing then that the first passeport talent chercheur titre de séjour (for newly arrived PhDs or postdocs) t) is not exempt from the language test and examen civique, from 2026?
Hello Sharbatanu,
Carte de Séjour Talent (all categories) are exempt from the new language requirements. More details on https://prasanthragupathy.com/2024/03/faq-new-language-requirements-for-french-resident-permits-citizenship/
Regarding the Civic Exam (in French) applicable from January 2026, I did not see any such exemptions. But, I will check the offcial documents again for this topic and if required add a note in this article by this week.
Cheers,
Prasanth
PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot
Hello Prasanth,
I already hold a Passeport Talent – Entreprise Innovante (valid until March 2027) and will be getting married in early 2026. My spouse will be coming to France on the Talent Famille visa. Would this be applicable to her?
Thank you!
Hello Yash,
Carte de Séjour Talent (all categories) are exempt from the new language requirements. More details on https://prasanthragupathy.com/2024/03/faq-new-language-requirements-for-french-resident-permits-citizenship/
Regarding the Civic Exam (in French) applicable from January 2026, I did not see any such exemptions. But, I will check the offcial documents again for this topic and if required add a note in this article by this week.
Cheers,
Prasanth
PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot
Hi Prashanth,
Thanks for gathering all the information. I hold a Carte de Séjoir temporaire profession libérale (valid 1 year) that expires in March 2026. I can only submit my renewal application in mid-January 2026. Since I will be renewing my CdS for a 4-year visa, will I have to provide the language and civic exam certificates?
I hold a masters degree from a French school.
Hello Anagha,
In your case,
No for a separate language certificate. Details on https://prasanthragupathy.com/2024/03/faq-new-language-requirements-for-french-resident-permits-citizenship/
Yes for the civic exam certificate. Details explained above
Cheers,
Prasanth
PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot
Update 05/12/2025: Here is some additionnal context based on the questions asked in the comments,
– This new civic exam is about testing the applicant’s knowledge about Fraance and its society. It is not for testing the French language level.
– From January 2026, there is a change in French language level requirements too. This topic is explained in a detailed article: New language requirements for French resident permits & citizenship https://prasanthragupathy.com/2024/03/faq-new-language-requirements-for-french-resident-permits-citizenship/
– Both these updates are not applicable to applications submitted until 31st December 2025.
Update 16/12/2025
Exam Cost: Registration fees are set by the examination centre. Rates may vary from one centre to another.
Hello Prasanth,
I’m wondering if there is an age exemption for the Examen civique, as there is for the language exam for over 65 year olds?
Thanks for your information.
Hello Susan,
I have updated the article and the answer is Yes.
Note: The 65 years old language certificate exemption is not applicable for French naturalisation applications. FYI https://prasanthragupathy.com/2024/03/faq-new-language-requirements-for-french-resident-permits-citizenship/
Cheers,
Prasanth
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Updated on: December 17, 2025
People over 65 years of age are exempted.
Note: People with a disability or a long-term health condition that makes it impossible to meet the requirements under rules set by the relevant government ministries, either: (medical certificate mandatory)
Get special arrangements to take the required tests and civic exam, or Be excused from providing the relevant diplomas, certificates, or test attestations altogether.
If I want to renew my carte de séjour salarié visa (which is currently for one year) in 2026 to obtain a 4 year salarié card – does this mean that I will have to give the exam?
I already hold a carte de séjour under vie privée et familiale for 2 years. And I need to apply for renewal before June 2026. So in my case do I still need to take the civic exam?
Hello Dr. Sindhu,
No. Please check the exemptions mentioned in Chapter 1: Who must take the Civic Exam and Who is exempt? above.
Cheers,
Prasanth
PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot
Thank you prasanth!
I have submitted my request for vie privee familale visa in November. My current visa expires in end of january. I already have my TCF B1 attestation. From the information you have provided, it seems i will not have to take the civic exam yet! Would you suggest giving this exam as a precaution?
Hello Shantam,
As explained above, language certificate and examen civique are 2 different requirements.
Whether you need take the civic exam or not is explained in Chapter 1: Who must take the Civic Exam and Who is exempt? above. No point in taking it as precaution and it is not free.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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Dead Prasanth,
A small clarification : For example: If you are having a 4-year Carte de Séjour Salarié or Talent, you do not have to take the exam for during renewal.
If I understood well, if I hold a 4 year talent card and applying for a renewal and asking for 10 year card, I don’t have to take the civic exam. Is that correct?
Thanks for the write up, as usual very useful.
Thanks in advance
Raj
Hello Rajkumar,
The 10-year card is a new application & so the Examen civique is mandatory from 1st Jan 2026.
It’s a change of situation and not a simple renewal of existing card.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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Thank you bro
Is this civic exam in english also?
Hello Cibin,
Examen Civique will be in French only.
In anycase, French language is required by default. Please check the introduction part of the above article.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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I have first Passport talent visa from 2019 to 2023 and 2nd one from 2023 to 2027.
When I will ask for renouvellement of the Passport Talent in 2027 through ANEF, I also plan to ask for 10 year visa in the small box that they provide.
Do you think in that case they would need civique exam? Technically it is a renouvellement.
It feels not that clear from what I read.
Hello Rohil,
This is clearly explained in the above article. You will need to take the exam for the 10-year card because it’s not a simple renewal.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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Dear Prasanth,
To apply for both French Nationality and a 10-year card in 2026, based on the requirements of the Civic exam. In the Exam Difficulty section, it’s mentioned that the exam varies depending on the type of visa/permits.
Considering applying for both applications during the same period, whether I have to take two Civic exams, one for French Nationality and another for a 10-year card, or only one civic exam for both applications would be sufficient?
Hello Sweta,
It’s not officially mentioned anywhere. Ideally Examen Civique (highest difficulty) written for French nationality could work for other things like CSP & 10-year card.
Feel free to check with your local Prefecture for an official answer.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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Hello Prasanth!
My wife got 1yr Talent Familial visa from India, needs to renew it here in March 2026. Does this Civic Examen applicable for her? Since she is not having a multi year visa, i suppose she has to take the Examen before renewal?
Hello,
Is the new civic exam applicable for applications for Talent Passport submitted after Jan 1, 2026 (earlier holding a 1 year salariè temporaire residence permit)?
Or Talent passport applications are exempt.
https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N110
I do not see the civic exam listed for talent passport here.
Thank You in advance.
Hello Shubhi,
Its not applicable.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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Hlo Prasanth,
I have done my CIR in Ofii and now I get civic classes. I came to France last year in August on regroupement familial visa. I have to give civic exam?
Thank you
Hello Palvi,
Civic exam will be required for the renewal of your residence permit. Also, OFII Civic classes and civic exam are not the same.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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Hi Prasanth, as usual, thank you for the detailed breakdown of the requirements. I’ve understood almost everything – just need a little clarification from you 🙂
I’m currently on a carte de séjour étudiant and will be graduating this year with a 2-year Masters degree from a grande école program.
1. After graduation, I plan to apply for either the APS or a carte de séjour salarié / talent passport (depending on the salary I’m offered) to search for a job, or once I secure one. Since this will be my first actual work permit, I believe I’ll need to take the civic exam – is that correct?
2. Additionally, do I need to provide an A2 certificate? I’m asking because my program was taught entirely in English, although my school does provide transcripts in French.
Hello Geralt,
Please can you read the chapter Who must take the Civic Exam and Who is exempt? above because it will help to avoid repeating the same here. So,
1. No
2. No
Cheers,
Prasanth
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Hello Prasanth,
Thank you for the derailed article!
I am passport talent holder under salary catageory, my fiance is a student in france holding APS visa. We planned to getting married on coming months in france.
1. In this case she needs to clear this exam?
2. Then only she can apply to add on my visa , we are living in Lyon is there any exam center in Lyon?
Thank you for your response!
Hello John,
I have updated the article. Examen civique and language requirements not applicable for Carte de séjour Talent (all categories). Formerly known as Passeport Talent.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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