Examen civique 2026: who must take it, and how does it work?

The examen civique is a 40-question multiple-choice test in French. Here is who must take it, the format, the syllabus and what the official source says.

Updated on 2026-10-28

Who must take the examen civique?

According to service-public.gouv.fr, the examen civique has been required since 1 January 2026 of non-European foreign nationals applying for a first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle, CSP) or a first resident card (carte de résident, CR). It also applies to naturalisation by decree.

Renewing a multi-year residence permit is not covered: only the first application is.
People over 65 are not subject to it for the CSP and the CR.
For particular situations (subsidiary protection, stateless persons, disability, health), read the official page: see our guides Examen civique for the multi-year residence permit (CSP) and the resident card (CR) and Examen civique and naturalisation: who is affected?.

The format of the test

The test is a multiple-choice questionnaire written in French, taken on a digital device:

40 questions, mixing knowledge questions and situational questions;
32 correct answers to pass, which is 80%;
45 minutes at most, extended only if a medical accommodation has been granted.

With 45 minutes for 40 questions, you have a little more than one minute per question. You can get at most 8 wrong.

The syllabus: five topics

The official syllabus covers five topics: the principles and values of the Republic; the institutional and political system; rights and duties; history, geography and culture; living in French society. The Ministry of the Interior publishes the topic sheets and the official list of knowledge questions.

You can browse the 531 official question statements in our bank, sorted by topic, in the official questions by topic, or test yourself with the free 20-question quiz.

And after you pass?

If you pass, the centre issues a certificate of success (attestation de réussite). According to service-public.gouv.fr, this certificate has no expiry date. In case of fraud or attempted fraud, you are banned from retaking the exam for 2 years.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are there in the examen civique?

40 questions, with a minimum of 32 correct answers to pass, in 45 minutes at most.

Is the examen civique in French?

Yes. The questionnaire is written in French. Help in your language can be used to understand your revision, but not during the exam.

Does the certificate of success (attestation de réussite) expire?

According to service-public.gouv.fr, the certificate has no expiry date.