Since 1 January 2026, non-EU nationals who apply for a first resident card must pass the civic exam, with some exceptions: not all of these cards are concerned, and people over 65 are exempt. The test has 40 questions in French, and you need 32 correct answers to pass. Renewals are not concerned.
Source: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F39530 (in French, checked on 10 Feb 2026).
Who must take it
It applies to you if you are a national of a non-European country and, since 1 January 2026, you apply for your first resident card, with some exceptions: not all resident cards are concerned (see the list below), and people over 65 are exempt. The same requirement applies to a first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle).
If you already have a resident card and you are renewing it, the exam does not apply to you: renewal applications are not covered. European citizens are not concerned either for residence permits.
Source: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F39530 (in French).
For all other cases (multi-year residence permit, naturalisation, first temporary card), read who must take the civic exam and the civic exam for a residence permit.
The cards concerned
Service-public.gouv.fr lists the first resident cards for which the exam is required. They include:
- the resident card for the spouse of a French national;
- the resident card for the parent of a French child;
- the resident card through family reunification;
- the EU long-term resident card, for example after 5 years of legal residence, or for the cards called “Carte de réfugié et famille” and “Carte protection subsidiaire et famille”;
- the permanent resident card.
Source: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F39530 (in French). The full list and its conditions are on the fiche.
Refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection: it depends on the card. The resident card issued on the basis of refugee status is not in the list above, and service-public.gouv.fr mentions neither an integration condition nor a civic exam for it (fiche F2208, in French). However, a first EU long-term resident card requires the exam, including for holders of a refugee card or a subsidiary protection card (fiche F39530). The ministère de l'Intérieur states in general terms that beneficiaries of international protection are not concerned (formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr). For any other case, ask your préfecture (the State office in your département) for the rule before you register.
The format, resident card level
The civic exam has three levels: multi-year residence permit, resident card and naturalisation. For a resident card, you take the resident card level.
| Item | Resident card level |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 40 multiple-choice questions, in French |
| Types of questions | 28 knowledge questions and 12 scenario questions (mises en situation) |
| Answers | Only one correct answer out of 4 |
| Scoring | 1 point per correct answer, 0 for a wrong or blank answer |
| Pass mark | 32 correct answers out of 40 (80%) |
| Time | 45 minutes at most, more only with an adjustment |
The format is the same for all three levels, but the level of difficulty depends on the permit you apply for. Each level has its own list of knowledge questions. The ministry publishes the list for the resident card level, without the answers, on formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr (in French). For this level, it states that the scenario questions are not made public.
Sources: arrêté du 10 octobre 2025 (articles 1, 3 and 4), on Légifrance; formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr; service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F39530; CCI Paris Île-de-France, results page. All in French.
Our free practice test is at resident card level: 40 questions in 45 minutes, with your score by theme.
Independent app, not affiliated with the French administration.
A pass that is also valid for the multi-year residence permit
A certificate of success at the resident card level also counts as a certificate of success at the multi-year residence permit level, when you submit your permit application. So you do not have to take the exam again at the multi-year residence permit level. And the certificate of success has no expiry date.
Source: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr (ministère de l'Intérieur, in French).
The level of French required
For a first resident card, you must also prove a level of French of B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. For comparison, the multi-year residence permit requires level A2.
You prove this level separately, not through the civic exam. The only recognised tests are the TCF and the TEF, with a certificate less than 2 years old; certain listed diplomas are also accepted. For residence cards, diplomas issued by a foreign authority, even in a French-speaking country, are not accepted.
Source: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F34501 (in French, checked on 10 Feb 2026).
Over 65 and other exemptions
If you are over 65, you do not have to take the civic exam for the resident card or for the multi-year residence permit.
If you have a disability or a health problem, you can get adjustments, or an exemption (dispense) if it is impossible to assess your knowledge. You need a medical certificate on the model attached to the arrêté (ministerial order), issued by a doctor who has an RPPS number.
Sources: service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F39530 and arrêté du 30 décembre 2025, on Légifrance, in French.
The details are on the page civic exam exemptions. To book a date, see how to register for the exam.
Sample questions
Three practice questions at resident card level, including one scenario question. Open the answer to see the explanation and its source.
The exam is in French, so the questions stay in French. The explanations are in English.
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Vous avez une carte de résident de 10 ans et vous voulez continuer à vivre en France. Que devez-vous faire ?
- Attendre de recevoir une nouvelle carte par courrier
- Attendre son expiration pour faire la demande
- Demander la nationalité française pour la remplacer
- Demander le renouvellement dans le délai prévu
Show the answer
Answer: Demander le renouvellement dans le délai prévu. A resident card has an end date. To stay in France, you must apply to renew it within the set time limits, before this date. It is not renewed automatically.
Service-public.fr, fiche F2208 « Carte de résident de 10 ans » · checked on 30 Sep 2026
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Dans chaque département, il y a un préfet. Quelle est sa mission principale ?
- Il représente l'État dans le département
- Il est le chef élu de la région
- Il est le juge principal du département
- Il est l'adjoint du maire d'une grande ville
Show the answer
Answer: Il représente l'État dans le département. The préfet represents the State in the département and runs its services. The préfet organises the safety of people and property and issues permits and administrative authorisations.
Formation civique (ministère de l'Intérieur), fiche « Le découpage administratif de la France (2/3) » · checked on 30 Sep 2026
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Scenario question Vous êtes une femme et vous passez un entretien d'embauche pour un poste de comptable. L'employeur vous dit : « Je n'embauche pas de femmes. » Que dit la loi ?
- Ce refus est permis dans une petite entreprise
- Ce refus est une discrimination interdite
- Ce refus est permis avec une justification écrite
- Ce refus est permis avec l'accord des salariés
Show the answer
Answer: Ce refus est une discrimination interdite. For this accountant job, refusing to hire you because you are a woman is prohibited discrimination. You can contact the Défenseur des droits free of charge or file a complaint.
Service-public.fr, fiche F1642 « Discrimination au travail » (checked on 20 Oct 2025) · checked on 30 Sep 2026
Practice questions written by Cal Civique from the published syllabus. For the resident card level, the ministry states that the scenario questions are not made public.
To go further, take the full practice test, at the same resident card level.
5 questions, 2 minutes, every answer explained with its source. No sign-up.
Independent app, not affiliated with the French administration.
Prepare for your resident card with Cal
Start with the free practice test to find out your level, theme by theme. Then Cal Civique helps you revise your weak points before the day of the exam. The app is coming soon to Android and iPhone.
5 questions, 2 minutes, every answer explained with its source. No sign-up.
Independent app, not affiliated with the French administration.