Key points
- Multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) and resident card (carte de résident): no civic exam after age 65.
- Renewals are not affected: the exam is for first-time applications.
- An exemption or special arrangement is possible for health reasons or disability, with a medical certificate.
- Naturalisation: no exemption based on age, only for disability or health condition.
Since 1 January 2026, the civic exam is required for a first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle), a first resident card (carte de résident), and naturalisation by decree. But not everyone has to take it. Here are the official rules, step by step.
Residence permits: when the exam is not required
Over 65s
Service-public.fr is clear: for a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or a resident card (carte de résident), you do not have to take the civic exam if you are over 65.
Renewals
The exam is for the first application. If you are renewing a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle), it is not required.
Certain types of permits
Other situations are covered by the official texts: people with international protection, some nationals covered by bilateral agreements, or permits not linked to the Republican Integration Contract (contrat d’intégration républicaine). If you think you might be in one of these cases, check your situation on service-public.fr or at your prefecture.
Naturalisation: no exemption based on age
For naturalisation by decree, there is no exemption based on age. The only possible exemption is for people whose disability or chronic health condition makes the assessment impossible.
The declaration of nationality (for example, by marriage to a French citizen) is a different procedure: it does not require the civic exam.
Health and disability: exemption or special arrangement
For all procedures, a medical reason can justify:
- an exemption, if your health condition or disability makes the assessment impossible;
- a special arrangement for the exam, for example a longer duration: this is the only case where the 45 minutes can be exceeded.
In both cases, you need a medical certificate issued using a template set by decree. The official texts require a certificate “issued by a doctor”: they do not require an approved doctor. The administration may ask for a new medical assessment.
In summary
| Situation | Civic exam |
|---|---|
| First CSP or CR, under 65 | Required |
| First CSP or CR, over 65 | Not required |
| Renewal of CSP | Not required |
| Naturalisation by decree | Required, whatever your age |
| Disability or health condition (all procedures) | Exemption or special arrangement with medical certificate |
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Frequently asked questions
From what age are you exempt from the civic exam?
For a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or a resident card (carte de résident), people over 65 do not have to take the civic exam. For naturalisation, there is no exemption based on age.
Do you need an approved doctor for the medical certificate?
The official texts require a certificate issued by a doctor, using a template set by decree. They do not require an approved doctor. However, the administration may ask for a new medical assessment.
Is the exam required for a residence permit renewal?
No. The civic exam is for the first application for a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or a resident card (carte de résident).
Is a special arrangement possible without a full exemption?
Yes. For a justified medical reason, the exam time can be extended or special arrangements can be made. This is the only reason why the 45-minute duration can be exceeded.
Official sources
- Service-public.fr — Civic exam (multi-year residence permit, resident card)
- Service-public.fr — Naturalisation: civic exam
- French Ministry of the Interior (ministère de l'Intérieur) — General information about the civic exam
- Légifrance — Decree of 30 December 2025 (exemptions and arrangements, nationality)
- Légifrance — Decree of 30 December 2025 (exemptions and arrangements, residence permits)
This information does not replace that of the prefecture or the exam centre. Citoyen is an independent app, not affiliated with the French Ministry of the Interior.
