Civic Exam

Since January 2026, a civic exam has been required for first-time applications for a Multi-Year Residence Permit (CSP) or a Residence Card (CR).

Thematic Areas

This test consists of 40 questions covering five main themes:

• Principles and Values ​​of the Republic

• Institutional System and Values ​​of the Republic

• Rights and Responsibilities

• History, Geography, and Culture

• Living in French Society

Procedures

The civic exam costs between €60 and €80 depending on the testing center and is taken in one session, either on a table or on a tablet.

The complexity of the questions may vary depending on the type of permit being applied for, but the exam duration (45 minutes) and the number of questions (40) remain the same.

The exam format also remains the same: the exam is taken on a table or tablet, and a score of at least 80% (32 correct answers) is required to pass. Of the 40 questions, 28 focus on knowledge (date, place, general knowledge, key figures, etc.) and 12 on practical cases (role-playing, case studies, etc.). Each question has only one correct answer.

Who must take the exam? Who is exempt?

Those systematically exempt include:

• minors (under 18 years of age)

• beneficiaries of international protection (BPI)

• people over 65 years of age

• people with disabilities (who have a certificate attesting to their inability to take the exam)

• people applying for a temporary residence permit (CST).

It should also be noted that the civic exam is not required for the renewal of a residence permit:

• If a person who already holds a multi-year residence permit wishes to renew it, they do not need to take a civic exam.

• Similarly, if a person who already holds a residence permit wishes to renew it, they do not need to take a civic exam.

Finally, the civic exam is not required for naturalization by declaration:

• A person who has a French spouse and applies for naturalization by declaration does not need to take a civic exam.

• A person who has a brother or sister of French nationality and applies for naturalization by declaration does not need to take a civic exam.

The civic exam is therefore only necessary when applying for a new type of residence permit:

• A person applying for a multi-year residence permit for the first time must take a civic exam.

• A person who holds a multi-year residence permit and applies for a residence permit must take a civic exam.

• A person who holds a residence permit or a multi-year residence permit and applies for naturalization by decree must take a civic exam.