French civic exam (examen civique) 2026: the complete guide

Updated 6 November 2026. Facts checked against the official sources listed below.

Since 1 January 2026, France has a new multiple-choice civic exam, the examen civique. It applies to first applications for some residence cards and to naturalisation. It tests what you know about the values, institutions, history and daily life of the French Republic.

What is the examen civique?

It is a computer-based test of 40 questions. There are three levels, depending on what you are applying for:

  • Carte de séjour pluriannuelle (CSP): the multi-year residence card.
  • Carte de résident (CR): the 10-year resident card.
  • Naturalisation: French citizenship by decree.

The format is the same at every level, but the difficulty increases from CSP to CR to naturalisation.

Who has to take it?

  • Multi-year residence card (CSP): first applications for cards linked to the republican integration contract (CIR). Renewals do not need the exam.
  • Resident card (CR): first applications in the main categories, such as spouses or parents of French nationals, family reunification, the EU long-term resident card and the permanent resident card.
  • Naturalisation: applications for naturalisation by decree and for reinstatement (réintégration). It does not apply to nationality by declaration, for example through marriage.

The exam is required for applications filed from 1 January 2026.

Who is exempt?

For the CSP and CR levels:

  • people over 65;
  • certain card types outside the integration contract;
  • beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, stateless people and their families, plus some other protected groups and nationals of some countries with bilateral agreements.

For naturalisation, service-public.fr does not list an age exemption. Some websites claim people over 60 are exempt; we could not confirm this on any official page.

At all levels, people with a health problem or disability can get adjustments (for example extra time) with a medical certificate, or a full exemption if they cannot be assessed at all. There is no exemption for holding a French diploma.

How to register

The exam is organised by approved bodies, not by the préfecture. At the time of writing these are:

  • CCI Paris Île-de-France (Le français des affaires), with test sessions in a large network of centres;
  • France Éducation International (FEI), with pre-registration on its test-civique portal.

The exam is held at approved centres across France. You choose a centre, a date and pay online. If you live abroad, contact the local Institut français, Alliance Française or French consulate.

How much does it cost?

Each centre sets its own price. According to the Ministry of the Interior, fees range from about €60 to €80. You pay this yourself, and you pay again for each new attempt.

Exam format
Questions 40 multiple-choice questions
Answer options 4 per question, one is correct
Split 28 knowledge questions + 12 situation questions
Time 45 minutes
Pass mark 32 correct answers (80%)
How On a computer or tablet, in French

Knowledge questions check facts, such as the motto of the Republic or the role of the President. Situation questions describe an everyday scene (at work, at school, at the town hall) and ask what the right behaviour or rule is.

Topics

For the CSP and CR levels there are five themes: principles and values of the Republic; the institutional and political system; rights and duties; history, geography and culture; and living in French society.

For naturalisation, service-public.fr lists four: key moments of French history; principles, symbols and institutions; exercising citizenship (rights and duties); and France in Europe and the world.

Official question lists

The Ministry of the Interior publishes the knowledge questions for each level, without answers. The situation questions are not published. Practise both types.

What to bring

  • Your invitation (convocation).
  • A valid original photo ID: a passport or residence permit for non-EU nationals.

The centre sends you the exam rules in advance. Breaking them can cancel your exam, and fraud leads to a two-year ban.

Results

Results are available online in your candidate account as a downloadable certificate (attestation). There is no official deadline for publishing results, so check with your exam centre for the expected timing.

Validity and retakes

  • The certificate does not expire.
  • A pass at CR level also counts for a CSP application.
  • You can retake the exam as many times as you need, paying the fee each time.

How it fits into your application

You upload the certificate with your application on the ANEF online portal.

For naturalisation you also need, among other things:

  • French at B2 level, spoken and written (for example through a recent TCF or TEF result, or a qualifying French diploma);
  • an assimilation interview (entretien d’assimilation) at the préfecture;
  • the €255 tax stamp (timbre fiscal);
  • to sign the charter of the rights and duties of French citizens.

For the residence cards, the language level is A2 for a CSP and B1 for a CR.

Study tips

  • Start with the official list for your level. Every knowledge question comes from it.
  • Practise situation questions. They are 12 of the 40 questions, and they reward common sense plus knowing the rules (secularism, equality, school, work).
  • Respect the 80% bar. You can only miss 8 questions. Aim for 36 or more in practice.
  • Use timed mock exams. 45 minutes for 40 questions is about one minute per question.
  • Read in French. The exam is only in French, so learn the key words (laïcité, préfet, Conseil constitutionnel) in French.

FAQ

How many questions must I get right?

32 out of 40, which is 80%.

Is the exam available in English or Arabic?

No. It is in French only. You can study with translations, but the exam is in French.

Does my result expire?

No. The certificate has no expiry date.

I already have a resident card. Do I need the exam to renew it?

No. The exam applies to first applications, not renewals.

Can I take the exam before I apply?

Yes. You take it first and add the certificate to your application.

Who sets the price?

Each approved centre. Expect about €60 to €80.

Practise for the real test

Our 244 practice questions follow the real format: 40 questions, 45 minutes, pass with 32. Practice is free.

Practise the questionsTake a mock exam

Sources

This guide is independent and not affiliated with any government. Rules, fees and dates can change, so always confirm on the official website before you apply.