French civics exam 2026: real price, who must take it, where

Since January 1, 2026, the "examen civique" (civics exam) has become a mandatory step for part of the residence permit and naturalisation process in France. A lot of people search for its price or who exactly needs it without finding a clear answer, because organisation varies from one centre to another. Here's what we know, with official sources.

Who has to take the civics exam

The exam mainly concerns two groups:

Non-EU adults applying for a first multi-year residence permit ("carte de séjour pluriannuelle") or a first "carte de résident".
Naturalisation candidates applying by decree: since the law of January 26, 2024 on immigration and integration, your civics exam result is one of the elements transmitted to the préfecture when your naturalisation file is reviewed.

Not every multi-year residence permit or "carte de résident" is concerned: some permits outside the scope of the CIR (republican integration contract) and some beneficiaries of international protection follow different rules. Check your own case on service-public.fr (fiche F39530) before registering.

If you're preparing a residence permit application, our residence permit guide (in French) situates this step within the full process.

Who is exempt

Exemptions exist, notably for:

People over 65.
Beneficiaries of international protection (refugee status, subsidiary protection).
Certain situations covered by bilateral agreements between France and the country of origin.

Every situation is different: check yours with the administration or the approved centre before registering, rather than relying on a general summary found online.

The exam format

Since January 1, 2026, the exam is taken on a computer, at an approved centre, as a multiple-choice test:

40 questions, one correct answer out of 4 options.
28 knowledge questions and 12 real-life scenarios (work, health, school, administration).
45 minutes maximum to answer all of them.
You need at least 32 correct answers out of 40 (80%) to pass.

The official sources consulted do not indicate an expiry date for the certificate of success. Still, check the requirements in force when you file your application, since an older certificate may be checked specifically depending on the process.

The real price: why it varies

There is no fixed national fee. Each approved centre sets its own price, and every new attempt requires a new payment. The fee is set by each centre, often announced at around €70; check the exact fee displayed by the centre before registering, since two nearby centres can charge different amounts for the same exam.

This fee applies in every case, including if you fail: there's no free retake session. If you fail once, it's worth pinpointing exactly which themes tripped you up before booking and paying for another session.

What happens if you fail

Failing the civics exam doesn't close the door for good: you can re-register at an approved centre, paying again for each attempt. How many attempts you're allowed and the minimum gap between two sittings aren't governed by any published national framework: check directly with the centre for the dates and conditions that apply to your situation, rather than relying on a general rule.

The five themes covered

The 40 questions are drawn from five official themes defined by the Ministry of the Interior: the principles and values of the Republic (liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism), the institutional and political system (the President, Parliament, local authorities, the European Union), rights and duties, history, geography and culture, and living in French society (healthcare, school, work, taxes, housing). The corresponding revision sheets, published for free at formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr, follow this same breakdown.

Where to take the exam and how to prepare

The exam is taken at a centre approved by the Ministry of the Interior. Official revision sheets and the lists of knowledge questions are published for free at formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr — that's the reference source, and the first place to check.

To practise under real exam conditions, our free practice quiz follows the same format: 40 timed questions covering the official themes. Allow just over a minute per question so a hard one doesn't slow you down.

What's still unclear and worth double-checking yourself

Session availability at approved centres varies a lot by region: some run sessions weekly, others far less often.
Exemption criteria are assessed case by case; a bilateral agreement applicable to a given nationality can change.
There's no single, up-to-date list of all approved centres available in one click: the préfecture or formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr remain the contact points to prioritise.

Perfecture does not organise the civics exam and gives no guarantee of success or registration: we monitor préfecture appointment slots linked to residence permit and naturalisation processes, not the exam itself.

Perfecture is an independent service, not affiliated with the préfectures or the French administration.