Key points
- There is no national price: each approved centre (centre agréé) sets its own registration fee.
- Registration is final: the fee you pay is generally not refunded.
- If you fail, you need to register again to retake the exam.
- Preparation, however, can be completely free.
“How much does the civic exam cost?” This is one of the first questions candidates ask. The official answer is simple, but surprising: there is no single price.
No national fee
Both approved organisations say the same thing: registration fees are set by the exam centre and can vary from one centre to another. The French Ministry of the Interior does not publish an official price range.
So, before you register:
- Find two or three centres near you;
- Compare their prices and exam dates;
- Check the conditions in case you are absent.
Be careful with “official” prices shown on some websites: no national amount has been set. Only the centre can give you their price.
Registration is final
Once you have paid, your registration is final and cannot be changed according to CCI Paris Île-de-France: if you do not come, the fee is kept. A justified absence (such as illness) may let you register again without extra cost.
France Éducation international says that if you are late on exam day, no refund is given. You will not be allowed into the room once the test has started: being on time is part of the price.
What if you fail?
You can retake the exam as many times as you need, but each time you must register again, so you pay a new fee. This is the best reason to prepare well: passing first time is also the cheapest solution.
Preparation can be free
Don’t confuse the exam with preparation. The French Ministry of the Interior says that preparation can be completely free, thanks to official resources: the Citizen’s Handbook (Livret du citoyen), topic sheets and published question lists.
On this site, you can also practise for free with a test of 10 official questions and a full mock exam (examen blanc) of 40 questions in 45 minutes.
Other costs for your application
The civic exam is only one step. Depending on your application, there may be other costs: the French language test or diploma, the residence permit tax, or the 255 € tax stamp for a naturalisation application. Check the page for your application for details.
Practise for free
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of the civic exam?
There is no national fee. The two approved organisations (CCI Paris Île-de-France and France Éducation international) say that registration fees are set by each centre and can vary from one centre to another. Ask the centre for their price before you register.
Is the civic exam free?
No. Only the preparation can be free, for example with official resources from the ministry. Taking the exam at an approved centre (centre agréé) is not free.
Can you get a refund if you are absent?
Generally, no: CCI Paris Île-de-France says that registration is final and the fee is kept. If you have a justified absence, for example because of illness, you may be able to register again without paying extra. France Éducation international says that no refund is given if you are late.
Do you have to pay again if you fail?
To retake the exam, you need to register again at a centre and pay a new registration fee.
Official sources
- Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France) — Civic exam: registration and fees
- France Éducation international — Candidate’s handbook for the civic exam
- French Ministry of the Interior — General information about the civic exam
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.
