The New French Civic Exam 2026: A Practical Guide for Expats in France
- Up your French
- Oct 20
- 6 min read
You live in France, maybe for love, for work, or simply because life took you here. You speak enough French to manage your days — but the word “exam” still makes your stomach twist.
However, if you want to learn how to become a French citizen, now there’s this new requirement: the civic exam.
You’re building a life here. This exam makes it official.
On October 10, 2025, former Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau signed a decree detailing the terms and conditions of the new civics exam.
From January 2026, the French government will require a new civic knowledge exam for anyone applying for:
French citizenship (naturalisation),
a resident card (carte de résident), or
a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle).
This test isn’t about your French language level — that’s evaluated separately through the DELF, TEF IRN, or TCF IRN (which I discuss in other articles). It’s about your understanding of how France works: its values, its institutions, and the everyday rules that shape civic life.
You can see it as the moment France checks that you understand how the country works — and that you wish to take part in it.
Step 1 – Start with the Livret du citoyen
Before diving into mock tests or videos, begin with the official Livret du citoyen — the Citizen’s Handbook published by the French government.
(Note that this may be updated at any time, and it is important to check that you have the latest version.)
It’s short, clear, and freely available online. You’ll find:
A structured overview of French history, politics, and society.
The vocabulary you’ll need for the exam.
The spirit behind each question — not just the facts, but the ideas.
If you read one thing, make it this. It’s the foundation. Clearly, it is far from sufficient in terms of knowledge (they themselves write that it is a non-exhaustive guide), but it allows you to understand the nature of the information you need to know.
Step 2 – Understand the French Civic Exam itself
Here’s how the civic exam is organised:
Format | 40 multiple-choice questions (QCM) |
Duration | 45 minutes |
Passing score | 80 % – 32 correct answers |
Language | French (accessible civic vocabulary) |
Supervision | Identity check, no phones or connected devices, anti-fraud rules |
It’s digital — you’ll answer on a tablet or computer. The questions come from five official themes, each with a set number of questions.
Step 3 – Know the five themes and how they’re weighted
Theme | Number of questions | Focus |
1. Principles and values of the Republic | 11 questions | The French motto, national symbols, secularism (laïcité), and how these values apply to daily life. |
2. Political and institutional system | 6 questions | Roles of the President, Parliament, and local authorities; France’s relationship with the EU. |
3. Rights and duties | 11 questions | Citizens’ rights, respect for laws, equality, taxes, and civic engagement. |
4. History, geography, and culture | 8 questions | Key historical events, regions, geography, and national heritage. |
5. Living in French society | 4 questions | Practical life: education, healthcare, employment, and family structure. |
The “mise en situation” questions — applying civic values through real choices
One of the distinctive features of the future civic exam will likely be the inclusion of scenario-based questions, or mises en situation.
While the decree does not yet specify the exact form of these questions, it does define clear knowledge and value criteria. Based on these, here is my interpretation of the type of civic situations candidates might be asked to assess.
These scenarios would not test memorisation, but rather your ability to make choices that align with the principles and laws of the French Republic — in other words, to demonstrate practical understanding and civic maturity.
Examples below are my interpretation based on the decree’s knowledge criteria; no official sample questions exist yet.
You refuse to pay income tax because you disagree with government policy. What are the legal consequences?
→ The obligation to pay taxes and social contributions is a civic and legal duty; not complying constitutes an offence.
Your child is 3 years old. You prefer to keep them at home rather than enrol them in school. What does French law require?
→ Schooling is compulsory from the age of 3. Parents must ensure instruction either through a registered school or approved home education.
You travel within Schengen for several months and don’t update your address in France — are you still compliant?”
→ Free movement ≠ exemption from French residence rules; you must keep your permit valid and update your address.
You receive income from freelance work or property and decide not to declare it in France. What does the law say?
→ To engage in freelance work, if your status allows it, you must first register. Every resident must declare their income. Failing to do so constitutes tax fraud and can lead to penalties.
You see a neighbour in distress and choose not to act. What does the law expect?
→ Civic duty includes assisting others when possible without danger to oneself. Omission can be legally punishable.
You and your partner divorce. What responsibilities remain toward your children?
→ Parental authority continues for both parents; each remains responsible for the child’s welfare and moral integrity.
Such examples would test knowledge of civic equality, legality, secularism, family and social responsibilities, and respect for collective rules.
They might also include more administrative aspects of daily life in France, such as:
Declaring income, paying taxes, or renewing residence permits.
Registering births, marriages, or deaths.
Applying for family or housing benefits.
Understanding social insurance, driver’s licence exchange, or address changes.
In essence, these “mises en situation” aim to assess not only what you know, but how you act as a resident of France: aware of your rights, conscious of your duties, and respectful of the laws and shared values that make social life possible.
Step 4 – Prepare with purpose
No need to memorise pages of history dates. Focus on comprehension and logic.
Read one chapter of the Livret per week.
Summarise in your own words. If you can explain a concept simply, you’ve understood it.
Use reputable civic practice tools. Look for updated 2025 versions.
Talk about these topics in French. The exam is written, but using the words aloud will strengthen recall.
Review with a mentor or teacher who can clarify nuance — especially around cultural ideas like égalité, laïcité, or solidarité.
Consistency matters more than intensity.
If you’re applying for citizenship
Beyond the written exam, naturalisation includes an individual interview at the préfecture. This isn’t a second test; it’s a conversation.
Expect questions during the French citizenship interview such as:
Why do you want to become French?
What does this decision represent for you personally?
How do you participate in French society (work, volunteering, family, community life)?
The goal isn’t to judge, but to confirm that you’ve built a real, thoughtful connection with France.
Preparing your answers helps you express what’s already true: that you’re not just living in France, you’re living with France.
How UpYourFrench supports you
At UpYourFrench, I work with expats who want more than “correct French.” You want understanding — of the language, the culture, and the system.
Together, we’ll:
Study the Livret du citoyen in English and French.
Explore each civic theme with context and discussion.
Practise scenario-based questions with explanation, not memorisation.
Prepare your naturalisation interview, so you speak calmly and authentically about your motivations.
The process becomes lighter when you know what you’re doing — and why.
French Civic Exam 2026 In short
Exam: 40 QCM questions, 45 minutes, 80 % to pass
Main topics: Values, institutions, rights, history, daily life
Reference: Livret du citoyen (official guide)
Separate exam: Language test (DELF / TEF / TCF IRN)
Extra step (citizenship): Interview on motivations and integration
You’ve already started
If you live, work, and build your life here, you already understand much of what the exam will ask.
The preparation simply gives structure to what you’ve learned through experience.
Ready to feel confident about your civic exam?
If you’re planning to apply for French citizenship or a resident card, you don’t have to face the process alone. During a free 20-minute call, we’ll discuss your specific situation and identify what kind of preparation will make the most difference for you.
Together, we can:
✅ review how the Livret applies
✅ assess which topics you already master
✅ build a calm, structured plan
✅ talk about how I can support you
This call is not an exam — it’s a conversation.
You’ll leave with clarity, resources, and a clear next step.
📆Schedule your Free chat
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