Which residence permit requires the exam
Only two permits require the civic exam: the first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) and the first resident card (carte de résident). The rule has applied since 1 Jan 2026 to non-EU nationals, with some exceptions: not all of these cards are concerned, and people over 65 are exempt. European citizens are not concerned for residence permits. Source: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F39530
This page covers the multi-year residence permit, often shortened to CSP. For the resident card, read the civic exam and the resident card. For an overview of all cases, see who must take the civic exam.
Renewal: no exam
If you are renewing your card, you do not have to take the civic exam. Service-public.gouv.fr is clear: only the first application for a multi-year residence permit is concerned, renewal applications are not. Source: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F39530
One point to remember for later: the certificate of success (attestation de réussite) for the exam has no expiry date. Source: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr
First one-year temporary card
CCI Paris Île-de-France, one of the two bodies that run the exam, states that a first application for a one-year temporary residence card (carte de séjour temporaire) is not concerned by the civic exam. This is the rule published by this body, not a State text: if in doubt, ask your préfecture (the State office in your département) to confirm. Source: CCI Paris Île-de-France, exam presentation page
Multi-year permits not concerned
For the multi-year residence permit, service-public.gouv.fr lists three cases that are not concerned by the civic exam:
- residence permits that are not subject to the republican integration contract (CIR);
- beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and their family;
- stateless persons and their family.
Source: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F39530.
The permits that are not subject to the CIR are listed in article L. 413-5 of the CESEDA. They include in particular students, visitors, trainees, talent cards and ICT posted employees. If your multi-year residence permit falls into one of these categories, the exam does not concern you. Source: CESEDA, article L. 413-5, Légifrance
Other situations can play a role, such as age, health or certain agreements between States. They are explained on the page exemptions from the civic exam.
The format, multi-year residence permit level
The exam exists at three levels (mentions): multi-year residence permit, resident card and naturalisation. For a first multi-year card, you take the multi-year residence permit level. Source: arrêté du 10 octobre 2025, article 1, Légifrance
The format is the same for all levels:
- 40 multiple-choice questions, in French;
- 28 knowledge questions and 12 scenario questions (mises en situation), with only one correct answer out of 4;
- 1 point per correct answer, 0 for a wrong or blank answer;
- 32 correct answers out of 40, which is 80%, to pass;
- 45 minutes at most, more only with an adjustment.
Sources: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr, service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F39530 and arrêté du 10 octobre 2025, articles 3 and 4 (in French).
The questions are spread across five themes. The 12 scenario questions are split as follows: 6 in principles and values, 6 in rights and duties. Source: arrêté du 10 octobre 2025, annexe I, Légifrance
| Theme | Questions |
|---|---|
| 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 |
The level of difficulty depends on the permit you are applying for, and each level has its own list of knowledge questions, published by the Ministry of the Interior without the answers. For the multi-year residence permit and resident card levels, the ministry states that the scenario questions are not made public. Sources: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr and list of knowledge questions for the multi-year residence permit (in French)
Good to know if you are unsure: a pass at the resident card level is also valid for a multi-year residence permit application, when you submit the application in the ANEF. Source: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr
You can retake the exam as many times as needed (formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr). For registration, exam day and the results, read how the exam works. To get ready, take the free practice test in the same format.
Revise with Cal
5 questions, 2 minutes, every answer explained with its source. No sign-up.
Independent app, not affiliated with the French administration.
The level of French required
In addition to the civic exam, the first multi-year residence permit requires level A2 French of the European framework. To compare: the resident card requires level B1. Source: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F34501
To prove your level, the tests recognised by the Ministry of the Interior are the TCF and the TEF, with a certificate less than 2 years old. Some diplomas listed on service-public.gouv.fr are also accepted. For residence cards, diplomas issued by a foreign authority are not accepted, even in a French-speaking country. Source: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F34501
The civic exam itself is taken in French: working on your French also helps you understand the questions.
CIR, civic training and commitment contract
The republican integration contract (CIR, contrat d'intégration républicaine) is signed for 1 year between the State and you. It includes compulsory civic training of 4 sessions, 24 hours in total. Source: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F17048
The training is free, and an interpreter is present if you have difficulties in French. Source: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr
At the end of the 4th day, you receive a certificate of attendance (attestation d'assiduité). The ministry states that reading its website does not replace the obligation to follow the civic training. The training and the exam are two different steps. Source: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr
The contract of commitment to respect the principles of the Republic (contrat d'engagement à respecter les principes de la République) is a different document: it is not the CIR, and it is signed for every application or renewal of a residence document, with some exceptions (in particular for Algerians, some Tunisians and Moroccans, and European citizens). Source: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F38329
For the content of the training, see the civic training (in French).
Next, prepare for the multi-year residence permit level: start with the free practice test, 40 questions in 45 minutes with your score by theme, then revise the theme where you make the most mistakes.
5 questions, 2 minutes, every answer explained with its source. No sign-up.
Independent app, not affiliated with the French administration.