Pass the French civic exam
Since January 1, 2026, a first multi-year residence card or resident card in France requires a pass in the civic exam. It's taken in French, so your language level matters as much as what you know.
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The civic exam is in French, and the residence cards that require it also need A2 or B1 French. Check your level now: a free CEFR estimate from vocabulary, grammar and reading questions, not an official exam score.
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What the civic exam is
Created by France's immigration and integration law of January 26, 2024, the civic exam (examen civique) checks that you know the principles, institutions and everyday life of French society. Since January 1, 2026, a pass certificate is required to get a multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or a resident card (carte de résident). It's also part of the conditions for naturalisation.
It applies to adult foreign residents who have signed the republican integration contract (CIR). Renewals are exempt, as are some people, including beneficiaries of international protection and nationals of certain countries covered by a bilateral agreement with France.
The format
According to the French Interior Ministry's official website:
- 40 questions in French, multiple choice (one correct answer out of four)
- 28 knowledge questions and 12 situational questions (mises en situation)
- 45 minutes maximum, on a tablet or computer
- 32 correct answers minimum (80%) to pass
- a different level of difficulty depending on the card you're applying for (multi-year or resident card)
You can take it at any time, as many times as you need, and the pass certificate doesn't expire.
The five themes
- The principles and values of the Republic
- The institutional and political system
- Rights and duties
- History, geography and culture
- Living in French society
Where to take it
Two bodies are approved: the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce (CCI Paris) and France Éducation international. Each publishes its list of test centers and handles registration. You can't register on the ministry's website. Check the fee when you register.
Preparing for free
The official website formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr publishes the list of knowledge questions for free, sorted by theme. The situational questions aren't published, and the wording on exam day may differ.
Why your French matters
Every question is in French, and the situational questions ask you to understand a short scenario before choosing the right answer. Solid civic and administrative vocabulary saves time. And the card you're applying for needs French anyway: A2 for a multi-year card, B1 for a resident card (see French level for a residence card).
Where ImChatty fits
ImChatty doesn't administer the civic exam and doesn't offer a dedicated practice quiz yet. We help with the language side: a free level test on this page, free French conversation practice, and French tutors to prepare TCF IRN, TEF IRN or DELF.
Common questions
How many times can I retake it? As many times as you need, whenever you want.
Does my pass certificate expire? No, it has no expiry date.
Do I need to retake it to renew my card? No. Renewals of multi-year and resident cards are exempt.
Are the official questions public? The knowledge questions are, on the Interior Ministry's website. The situational questions aren't.
- 40 multiple-choice questions in French, 45 minutes maximum
- 32 correct out of 40 to pass, with no limit on attempts
- 5 themes, with an official question list published free
- Free French level test on this page
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