Exam overview

Since 1 January 2026, France requires a civic exam (examen civique) for a first multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle, CSP), a resident card (carte de résident, CR) and naturalisation by decree. There are three levels (CSP, CR, naturalisation). It is a multiple-choice test of 40 questions taken on a tablet or computer in an approved centre; you need 32 correct answers (80%) to pass. For naturalisation, the exam pass certificate goes in your file, and the assimilation interview (entretien d'assimilation) at the préfecture still takes place. The questions in this app are unofficial practice questions based on the official themes.

Eligibility

(As of 2026; subject to change)

• Standard: 5+ years of legal residence (carte de résident or equivalent)
• Reduced track (2 years residence):
  • A diploma from a French higher-education institution after 2 years of study there
  • People who can render important services to France, or with an exceptional integration record
• No minimum residence period:
  • People from a French-speaking country whose mother tongue is French or who had at least 5 years of schooling in French; refugees; French military service; exceptional services to France
• Age 18+ (minors follow the parent's procedure)
• Stable employment and income (proof of social and economic integration)
• No serious criminal record
• Assimilation into French society and republican values
• Civic exam passed (naturalisation level)

Language requirements (CEFR):

• B2 French since 1 January 2026 (Décret n° 2025-648; previously B1)
• Accepted tests: TCF IRN, DELF B2, SCE (Sorbonne) — certified separately from the civic exam
• Some education- or age-based exemptions exist (ask your préfecture)

Exam format

• 40 multiple-choice questions, 4 options each, exactly 1 correct
  • 28 knowledge questions
  • 12 situation questions (mises en situation: what to do in an everyday scenario)
• Pass mark: 32/40 (80%)
• Time limit: 45 minutes
• On a tablet or computer, in an approved exam centre
• Questions per theme in each exam:
  • Principles and values of the Republic: 11
  • Institutional and political system: 6
  • Rights and duties: 11
  • History, geography and culture: 8
  • Living in French society: 4
• For naturalisation, the assimilation interview with a préfecture officer still follows; the officer assesses your assimilation (work, community life, children's schooling, republican values)

Fees

(As of 2026; subject to change)

• Stamp duty (timbre fiscal): €255 (paid with the naturalisation application)
• Civic exam: booked with an approved centre — check its price and dates
• Interview: free (préfecture)
• Language test fees (separate): TCF/DELF roughly €100–150

How to apply

1. Check eligibility on service-public.gouv.fr
2. Pass the language test at B2 (TCF IRN, DELF, etc.) and obtain the certificate
3. Pass the civic exam (naturalisation level) at an approved centre and keep the pass certificate
4. Submit your naturalisation request (naturalisation par décret) and supporting documents (residence, income, criminal record certificate, language and civic exam certificates, etc.) to your préfecture
5. Pay the €255 stamp duty
6. Receive an appointment for the assimilation interview at the préfecture

Retake policy

• Civic exam: if you fail, you can take it again
• If your interview or application is refused, you can normally reapply after 6–12 months
• The waiting period depends on the reason for refusal
• A new application requires resubmitting all documents and fees

After passing

1. Interview + file approved → forwarded to the Ministry of the Interior
2. Décret de naturalisation issued → published in the Journal Officiel
3. The publication date is your official citizenship date
4. Citizenship certificate sent by mail
5. You can apply for a French national ID card (CNI) and passport

Official resources

• Civic exam (themes, official question lists): formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr
• Civic exam rules: service-public.gouv.fr · arrêté of 10 October 2025
• Naturalisation by decree: service-public.gouv.fr
• Livret du citoyen (free PDF): immigration.interieur.gouv.fr
• Naturalisation procedure: service-public.gouv.fr

Notes

• The Ministry publishes official lists of knowledge questions (CSP and CR levels online; a naturalisation list also exists). The 12 situation questions are not published — practise applying the values to everyday cases.
• This app's questions are unofficial practice questions, not the official lists.
• Laïcité is a core topic — study it carefully.
• Gender equality and republican values come up often, in the exam and in the interview.
• Be ready to describe your own assimilation (job, community life, children's school, etc.) in concrete terms at the interview.

FAQ

Are these questions official? No. They are unofficial practice questions. The official knowledge-question lists are published on formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr; the situation questions are not published.

Is there a pass score? Yes, for the civic exam: 32 out of 40 (80%) within 45 minutes. The assimilation interview has no score; the officer makes an overall assessment.

Which level do I take? The level matches what you apply for: CSP (multi-year card), CR (resident card) or naturalisation. For citizenship, take the naturalisation level.

Can I be exempt from the language test? Some exemptions exist based on education (e.g., French higher-education degree) or age. Ask your local préfecture for details.

Can I keep my original nationality? France allows dual citizenship, so French law does not require you to renounce your other nationality. Check your home country's rules separately, since some countries revoke citizenship upon foreign naturalisation.