Civic exam — frequently asked questions

It is an official test on the values, institutions, history and society of the French Republic. Since 1 January 2026 it is required for a first multi-year residence card, a first resident card and naturalisation.

Anyone applying, from 1 January 2026, for a first multi-year residence card, a first resident card, or French nationality. It does not apply to a simple renewal, and some people are exempt (see below).

A multiple-choice test in French: 40 questions (28 knowledge + 12 situational), on a computer, in 45 minutes maximum. You pass with 80% — 32 correct answers out of 40.

Five themes: the values and principles of the Republic; its institutions and democracy; the rights and duties of citizens; history, geography and culture; and living in French society.

The language level is separate from the civic exam and depends on the procedure: A2 for the multi-year residence card, B1 for the resident card, B2 for naturalisation. You can sit your French language exam (DELF A2, B1 or B2) through our partner site GoDELF.

At an approved centre of the CCI Paris Île-de-France network, designated by the Ministry of the Interior, with centres across France. The fee is generally between €70 and €90 depending on the centre.

Yes. Exemptions notably include: people over 65 (exempt from both the language level and the civic exam, on proof of age); beneficiaries of international protection (refugees, subsidiary protection, stateless persons) and their families for a residence-permit application; people who completed at least 3 years of secondary school or at least 1 year of higher education in France; and people with a disability or chronic illness (medical exemption). For your specific situation, always check the official sources.

Once you pass, the certificate is valid for life — you do not have to retake the exam for a later procedure.

Train for free with our practice quiz (by topic and a timed mock exam), and go further with a course led by our experienced teachers.