France will introduce a mandatory citizenship exam for foreigners from 2026. Find out who the new rules apply to, when to take the Examen civique and how to prepare

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From January 1, 2026, new requirements will come into force in France for foreigners planning to apply for a long-term residence permit or acquire French citizenship, including representatives of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and the United Kingdom. One of the key innovations will be a mandatory civic exam (Examen civique), designed to test basic knowledge of French society, republican values ​​and civic duties.

These changes are part of France’s updated migration policy aimed at strengthening the integration of foreigners into the country’s legal and social environment. Below is a detailed overview of who the new rules apply to, when the exam must be taken, what topics it covers and where to prepare.

Planning to apply for a residence permit or citizenship in France?

Migration lawyers will help assess your situation, check compliance with the new 2026 requirements and prepare a complete package of documents taking into account the civic exam.

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What is the civic exam (Examen civique)?

The civic exam is an official form of assessment introduced by the French authorities to confirm that the applicant:

- understands the key values ​​of the French Republic;

- knows his rights and obligations as a resident;

- is familiar with the work of state institutions;

- is familiar with the social and civic norms of everyday life in France.

Starting in 2026, successfully passing the exam will be a prerequisite for submitting applications for certain types of residence permits and citizenship. Without the appropriate certificate, documents may not be accepted or their consideration will be suspended.

Who will be required to take the civic exam in France?

The new requirements do not apply to all foreigners. The exam is only mandatory for those categories of applicants for whom the state considers integration to be a key condition for long-term residence.

The civics exam must be taken when applying for:

- Long-term residence permits for a period of 2 to 4 years, in particular on the basis of: permanent employment contract (CDI), family reunification, entrepreneurial or self-employed activity;

- 10-year French resident card;

- French citizenship by naturalization.

Important! The exam is taken before the first application for a long-term residence permit. If the applicant already has such a permit and is applying for its extension, there is no need to take the Examen civique again.

When should the exam be taken and how does it affect the submission of documents?

The civics exam is part of the migration procedure, not a formality after obtaining status. It must be passed in advance - before submitting documents, the main points:

- The exam is taken before the first application for a residence permit for a period of 2-4 years;

- A certificate of successful completion is attached to the package of documents;

- When extending a current multi-year permit, the new requirement does not apply;

- To obtain a 10-year resident card or citizenship, the exam is mandatory regardless of the grounds for residence.

Ignoring this requirement or lack of confirmation may lead to a refusal to accept documents or delay in the consideration of the case.

The official rules for conducting the exam, the format and the list of questions were published by the French Ministry of the Interior in December 2025.

What topics does the French citizenship exam cover?

The French authorities have approved a single official list of questions used during the exam. All materials are open and available for self-study.

The exam covers the following thematic blocks:

- Fundamental values ​​of the French Republic: freedom, equality, fraternity, secularism;

- Rights and obligations of foreigners and residents in France;

- Principles of the functioning of the state and its institutions;

- Social and civil norms of French society;

- Basic aspects of everyday life: education, work, social system.

The list of questions varies depending on the type of status. Separate lists are valid for multi-year residence permits (2-4 years) and the 10-year resident card.

All lists are approved by the French Ministry of the Interior and are mandatory for use during the exam.

Where to prepare for the exam: official resources

To prepare for the Examen civique, the French government has created a special state portal Formation Civique. This resource is the main official source of information, the portal provides:

- A detailed description of the exam procedure;

- Official lists of questions for each type of permit;

- Thematic training materials;

- Explanations of the format and assessment.

Where and how to take the citizenship exam in France?

The exam is organized centrally to ensure uniform standards throughout the country. The accreditation of examination centers is handled by the CCI Île-de-France Education, which coordinates a network of official institutions.

It is worth considering the following points:

- Registration for the exam is carried out in advance, as the number of places may be limited;

- Up-to-date information on dates, addresses and contacts is published on the official CCI resources;

- After passing the exam, the applicant receives an official confirmation, which is attached to the package of documents for applying for a residence permit, resident card or citizenship.

For convenience, there is an interactive map that allows you to find the nearest accredited center in France and check the current conditions for taking the exam.

Examen civique is a new mandatory stage for foreigners in France.

Migration law specialists accompany the process from preparing for the exam to submitting documents for a residence permit, resident card or citizenship.

Contact a migration lawyer and go through the procedure with confidence.

Reminder! Finland has significantly updated the procedure for obtaining citizenship, the new rules came into effect on December 17, 2025. We have already told you who can obtain Finnish citizenship, how to apply correctly, what documents are needed and what has changed in the law.

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