Your result
Yes, you need to take the civic exam
Since 1 January 2026, applying for a first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) requires proof that you have passed the civic exam and have French at level A2.
- Civic exam
- Yes, multi-year residence permit version
- French level
- A2 on the European scale (CEFR)
- Official questions
- 191 published knowledge questions
To prove your level of French
- A TCF test (France Éducation international) or TEF test (CCI Paris Île-de-France), with a certificate issued less than 2 years ago
- A language diploma: DELF, DALF, DELF Pro, DCL, DFP, or a DUEF at the required level
- A French national diploma: CAP, BEP, CFG or the national brevet diploma, or an RNCP professional qualification at level 3 or above
- Foreign diplomas are not accepted, including diplomas from French-speaking countries
Good to know
- Renewals are not covered: the exam is only required for your first card.
- If your disability or health condition makes it necessary, you can request adjustments to the exam, or an exemption if it is impossible to assess you, with a medical certificate.
- According to the ministry, nationals of certain countries that have a bilateral agreement with France are not covered. If in doubt, check with your prefecture.
What next?
Your result
Yes, you have to take the civic exam
Since 1 January 2026, to get your first resident card (carte de résident), including an EU long-term resident card (carte de résident de longue durée-UE), you need a certificate proving that you passed the civic exam and French at B1 level.
- Civic exam
- Yes, resident card version
- French level
- B1 on the European scale (CEFR)
- Official questions
- 209 published knowledge questions
To prove your level of French
- A TCF test (France Éducation international) or TEF test (CCI Paris Île-de-France), with a certificate issued less than 2 years ago
- A language diploma: DELF, DALF, DELF Pro, DCL, DFP, or a DUEF at the required level
- A French national diploma: CAP, BEP, CFG or the national brevet diploma, or an RNCP professional qualification at level 3 or above
- Foreign diplomas are not accepted, including diplomas from French-speaking countries
Good to know
- A pass certificate for the resident card version also counts towards an application for a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle).
- Renewals are not covered: the exam is only required for your first card.
- If your disability or health condition makes it necessary, you can request adjustments to the exam, or an exemption if it is impossible to assess you, with a medical certificate.
- According to the ministry, nationals of certain countries that have a bilateral agreement with France are not covered. If in doubt, check with your prefecture.
What next?
Your result
Yes, you have to take the civic exam
Naturalisation by decree (naturalisation par décret) and reinstatement of French nationality by decree (réintégration par décret) require a certificate proving that you passed the civic exam, French at B2 level in speaking and writing, and an assimilation interview at the prefecture.
- Civic exam
- Yes, naturalisation version
- French level
- B2 in speaking and writing (CEFR)
- Official questions
- 244 published knowledge questions
To prove your level of French
- A TCF test (France Éducation international) or TEF test (CCI Paris Île-de-France), with a certificate issued less than 2 years ago
- The national brevet diploma, or a diploma or professional qualification at level 3 or above
- Any diploma that certifies a French level of at least B2
Good to know
- There is no age-related exemption for naturalisation.
- If your disability or health condition makes it necessary, you can request adjustments to the exam, or an exemption if it is impossible to assess you, with a medical certificate.
- Refugees and stateless people over 70 who have lived in France for at least 15 years may be exempt from proving their level of French.
- After the exam, the assimilation interview at the prefecture covers citizens’ rights and duties. At the end, you sign the Charter of the Rights and Duties of French Citizens.
What next?
Your result
No, no civic exam for a declaration
The civic exam only applies to obtaining nationality by decree. It is not required for a declaration of nationality (déclaration de nationalité), whether through marriage to a French person or as the parent, brother or sister of a French person.
- Civic exam
- No
- French level
- B2 in speaking and writing for a declaration through marriage
To prove your level of French
- A TCF test (France Éducation international) or TEF test (CCI Paris Île-de-France), with a certificate issued less than 2 years ago
- The national brevet diploma, or a diploma or professional qualification at level 3 or above
- Any diploma that certifies a French level of at least B2
Good to know
- For a declaration through marriage, you must prove that your French is at B2 level in speaking and writing.
- If your disability or health condition makes it impossible to assess your level of French, you can be exempt with a medical certificate.
What next?
Your result
No, no civic exam for a renewal
The civic exam and proof of your level of French are only required for your first application for a multi-year residence permit or a resident card.
- Civic exam
- No
Good to know
- If you later apply for your first resident card or for naturalisation, you will need to take the civic exam for that new application.
What next?
Your result
No, this does not apply to you
The civic exam for a multi-year residence permit or a resident card applies to nationals of non-EU countries. Nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland do not have to take it for their residence permit.
- Civic exam
- No
Good to know
- If you ever apply for French naturalisation by decree, you will need to take the civic exam and prove that your French is at B2 level.
What next?
Your result
No, not for your multi-year residence permit
People with subsidiary protection (protection subsidiaire), stateless people (apatrides) and their family members do not have to take the civic exam for a multi-year residence permit.
- Civic exam
- No
Good to know
- This exemption only applies to the multi-year residence permit: according to service-public.fr, the exam is required for a first EU long-term resident card, including for people with subsidiary protection.
- Naturalisation by decree also requires the civic exam.
What next?
Your result
No, not for this residence permit
The civic exam for a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) applies to permits that require a republican integration contract (contrat d'intégration républicaine, CIR). If your permit does not require one, you do not need to take the exam.
- Civic exam
- No
Good to know
- If you are not sure whether your permit requires a CIR, check with your prefecture or on service-public.fr.
- You may later need to take the civic exam for your first resident card or for naturalisation.
What next?
Your result
No, you are exempt
If you are over 65, you do not need to take the civic exam or prove your French level for a multi-year residence permit or a resident card (carte de résident).
- Civic exam
- No
Good to know
- This exemption does not apply to naturalisation: there is no age-based exemption from the civic exam for nationality applications.
What next?
Your result
No, not for this card
The civic exam is only required for a first multi-year residence permit, a first resident card, and naturalisation (or reinstatement of French nationality) by decree.
- Civic exam
- No
Good to know
- You will need to take the civic exam when you apply for your first multi-year residence permit or your first resident card.
What next?
This result follows the rules published by service-public.fr and the French Ministry of the Interior. It does not replace advice from your prefecture, which is the only authority that can decide about your application.
Who needs to take the civic exam?
The civic exam has been compulsory since 1 January 2026 for three procedures. Here is what you need to know for each one.
| Procedure | Civic exam | French level |
|---|---|---|
| First multi-year residence permit | Yes, multi-year residence permit version | A2 |
| First resident card (including EU long-term resident card) | Yes, resident card version | B1 |
| Renewal of one of these cards | No | No new proof required |
| Naturalisation or reinstatement by decree | Yes, naturalisation version | B2 speaking and writing |
| Declaration of nationality by marriage | No | B2 speaking and writing |
| EU, EEA or Swiss citizen (residence permit) | No | Not required |
Who is exempt?
- People over 65, for a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or a resident card (carte de résident). For naturalisation, there is no age-related exemption.
- For a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle): people with subsidiary protection (protection subsidiaire), stateless people (apatrides) and their family members, as well as people applying for permits that are not subject to the republican integration contract (contrat d'intégration républicaine, CIR).
- According to the French Ministry of the Interior, people with international protection and nationals of certain countries covered by a bilateral agreement.
- People whose disability or health condition makes assessment impossible, with a medical certificate. It may also be possible to make simple adjustments to the exam.
What level of French do you need?
Your French level is a separate requirement from the civic exam: your application requires both. The level is measured using the European CEFR scale. For a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or a resident card (carte de résident), foreign diplomas are not accepted, and your TCF or TEF test certificate must be less than 2 years old.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to retake the civic exam to renew your residence permit?
No. The civic exam is only required for a first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or first resident card (carte de résident). Renewals are not affected. The pass certificate does not expire.
Is the civic exam compulsory after the age of 65?
For a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or a resident card (carte de résident), no: people over 65 are exempt from both the exam and proof of their French level. For naturalisation, there is no age-related exemption.
Do you have to take the civic exam if you are married to a French citizen?
No. A declaration of nationality by marriage does not require the civic exam. However, you must prove that you have B2 French in speaking and writing.
What level of French do you need for the civic exam?
The exam is in French. Your French level is a separate requirement for your application: A2 for a first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle), B1 for a first resident card (carte de résident), and B2 in speaking and writing for naturalisation.
Official sources
- Service-public.fr — Civic exam: multi-year residence permits and resident cards
- Service-public.fr — French level for a multi-year residence permit or resident card
- Service-public.fr — Civic exam for French nationality
- Service-public.fr — French nationality: how to prove your level of 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.