Civic Examination
New regulatory requirements effective from January 1, 2026
Following the legislative changes introduced by the Immigration Law and the Decree of August 23, 2025, new requirements regarding French language proficiency and civic knowledge have been in force since January 1, 2026, for certain administrative procedures in France.
As a result:
- Applicants for a multi-year residence permit must demonstrate a A2 (CEFR) level of French and pass a civic examination.
- Applicants for a resident card must demonstrate a B1 (CEFR) level of French and pass a civic examination.
- Applicants for French nationality must demonstrate a B2 (CEFR) level of French and pass a civic examination.
These new requirements are part of the strengthened republican integration process.
(Source: service-public.fr)
Overview of the Civic Examination
The civic examination assesses essential knowledge relating to:
- The values and principles of the French Republic
- The rights and responsibilities of citizens
- French culture, history, and the organization of French society
When is the civic examination mandatory?
The civic examination is required for:
- obtaining a first multi-year residence permit (CSP)
- obtaining a first resident card (10 years)
- applying for French naturalization
👉 The certificate of successful completion is not required when renewing a permit that has already been obtained.
Certain categories of applicants may be exempt depending on their situation. Please contact the relevant administrative authorities for further information.
Examination format and procedure
The civic examination is taken in person on a computer at our examination center.
Format:
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Equipment: Computer provided by the examination center
- Format: Multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ)
- Total number of questions: 40, including 28 knowledge questions and 12 scenario-based questions.
Each question offers four possible answers, with only one correct answer. There is no oral or written expression test.
Passing requirements:
Minimum score required: 32 correct answers (80%)
Results:
Results are available 12 hours after the examination.
Once the results are available, the candidate:
- clicks on “Certificate” to view and download their certificate.
- receives an email notification.
- must log in to their account.
Important information:
- Unlimited number of attempts
- The certificate of successful completion has unlimited validity
- A minimum waiting period of one day is required between two attempts in case of failure
- Basic computer skills are required (using a mouse and clicking)
Topics covered:
The questions focus on five main areas:
- the principles and values of the French Republic,
- the rights and obligations applicable in France,
- the functioning of French institutions,
- historical, cultural, and geographical references,
- everyday situations in French society.
When should you take the civic examination?
The examination must be successfully completed before submitting your application for:
- a multi-year residence permit
- a resident card
- French naturalization
⚠️ A specific version of the examination is available depending on the purpose of your application (CSP, resident card, or naturalization). An examination taken for one purpose cannot be used for another.
Civic examination sessions at Institut Stralang
Civic examination sessions are held on weekdays every afternoon from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding weekends and public holidays.
For information about examination dates and registration, please contact us at: contact@stralang.com or by telephone on +33 (0)3 88 31 48 38.
Fees and registration:
- Fee: €70
- CPF funding: Not eligible
Registration procedure
All registrations are final. No refunds or postponements are possible.
Pre-registration procedure:
Each candidate must first complete a pre-registration on the following website:
https://test-civique.fr/inscription/25F19BE8C4C5680E7968EE34E73871824DEC
After completing your pre-registration on the France Éducation International platform and selecting the examination version corresponding to your application (CSP, resident card, or naturalization), you must:
– contact us by email at contact@stralang.com and send us our registration form, duly completed and signed, together with a copy of your identity document and proof of payment of the registration fee (€70).
👉 Registration can also be completed directly at our premises.
For our bank details, please click here.
Preventing and combating certification fraud: a collective commitment to fairness
The steps in your administrative process
Depending on your situation, three steps may be required:
- French language test (TCF IRN or TEF IRN)
- Civic examination
- Interview at the prefecture
How can you prepare for the civic examination?
Serious preparation is recommended to maximize your chances of success.
The French Ministry of the Interior provides the examination topics and sample questions on the following websites:
- for the multi-year residence permit and resident card:
- for naturalization.
Why take your civic examination at Institut Stralang?
- Approved examination center
- Regular examination sessions throughout the year, except during the summer period (July and August)
- Conveniently located in central Strasbourg, easily accessible by tram and bus, close to the university campus.