From 1 January 2026, most non-EU nationals seeking a multi-year carte de séjour, a 10-year resident card or French citizenship must first pass a 40-question multiple-choice ‘examen civique’, the Interior Ministry confirmed on 30 December. Candidates will have 45 minutes to score at least 80 percent on topics ranging from republican values and institutions to daily civic life.
The new assessment is layered on top of existing French-language requirements: level A2 for four-year cards, B1 for 10-year cards and B2 for naturalisation. Officials say the dual test ensures ‘substantive integration’, not merely linguistic ability. Successful candidates will not need to retake the civic module when renewing their permits.
For applicants who feel daunted by these evolving rules, VisaHQ can help demystify every step. Through its France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/), the service offers clear guidance on test bookings, document preparation and prefecture appointments, streamlining the path for both individuals and HR teams handling employee relocations.
![France Introduces Mandatory Civic-Knowledge Test for Residence Cards and Naturalisation]()
Practicalities: Prefectures expect initial backlogs, with Paris and Lyon reporting three-month waiting lists for test slots. Employers sponsoring Talent-Passport assignees or EU Blue Card holders should budget roughly €600 per applicant for preparatory classes and fees. HR planners are advised to schedule exam appointments early in the relocation timeline to avoid jeopardising family-reunification visas.
Critics argue the bar is too high and risks prolonging administrative limbo for nearly three million foreigners holding temporary papers. Advocacy groups warn that questions—available only in French—could disadvantage older migrants and blue-collar workers.
Nonetheless, the measure aligns France with neighbours such as Germany and the Netherlands, both of which require civics tests for long-term status. Foreign residents who pass stand to gain smoother renewals and, ultimately, EU-wide mobility once naturalised.
The new assessment is layered on top of existing French-language requirements: level A2 for four-year cards, B1 for 10-year cards and B2 for naturalisation. Officials say the dual test ensures ‘substantive integration’, not merely linguistic ability. Successful candidates will not need to retake the civic module when renewing their permits.
For applicants who feel daunted by these evolving rules, VisaHQ can help demystify every step. Through its France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/), the service offers clear guidance on test bookings, document preparation and prefecture appointments, streamlining the path for both individuals and HR teams handling employee relocations.
Practicalities: Prefectures expect initial backlogs, with Paris and Lyon reporting three-month waiting lists for test slots. Employers sponsoring Talent-Passport assignees or EU Blue Card holders should budget roughly €600 per applicant for preparatory classes and fees. HR planners are advised to schedule exam appointments early in the relocation timeline to avoid jeopardising family-reunification visas.
Critics argue the bar is too high and risks prolonging administrative limbo for nearly three million foreigners holding temporary papers. Advocacy groups warn that questions—available only in French—could disadvantage older migrants and blue-collar workers.
Nonetheless, the measure aligns France with neighbours such as Germany and the Netherlands, both of which require civics tests for long-term status. Foreign residents who pass stand to gain smoother renewals and, ultimately, EU-wide mobility once naturalised.
