The French civic exam for naturalisation: what changed in 2026

Updated 23 October 2026

Who must take it?

Since 1 January 2026, passing the civic exam is required for:

French naturalisation;
a first multi-year residence card or a first resident card, for non-EU nationals.

Renewals of a multi-year or resident card are not affected, and some people are exempt, notably beneficiaries of international protection.

When?

Before you apply. The pass certificate is part of your file. It has no expiry date: you can take the exam in advance and retake it as often as needed.

Format

40 multiple-choice questions, one correct answer out of four;
28 knowledge questions and 12 real-life scenarios;
45 minutes maximum, on a computer or tablet;
pass mark: 32 correct answers (80%).

Topics: principles and values of the Republic, institutions, rights and duties, history, geography and culture, living in French society.

Where to register

In an approved centre (France Éducation International or the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce). For the naturalisation version, register online with France Éducation International centres. Prices vary by centre.

Beware of paid sites: the ministry stresses that preparation is free and you don’t need to pay for practice questions.

And French language?

The civic exam does not replace the language requirement: a sufficient level of French is still required for naturalisation, with its own proof. Check the required level and accepted certificates on the Service-Public naturalisation page.

Once you have the certificate you can apply. See the steps of naturalisation and real waiting times on the naturalisation map.

Sources

This guide is for information only and does not replace official texts or legal advice. Check your situation on service-public.gouv.fr or with your prefecture.

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