Since January 1st, 2026, people applying for citizenship will also need to pass a written history and civics exam, in addition to the standard 'assimilation' interview required to demonstrate integration.
The announcement was part of a decree, published on July 15th, 2025, that primarily focused on the start date for new, stricter language requirements, which was part of the 2024 immigration law.
READ MORE: Revealed: Start date for new French language requirements
You can read more about the other requirements for applying for French nationality in our separate guide article.
What will the new civics exam entail?
Plans to add a written civics exam were initially referenced in a recent memo (circulaire) sent out by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
READ MORE: Explained: What exactly is the 'new history test' proposed for foreigners in France?
The French government clarified in the July decree that it will begin to use the written exam to assess applicants' "required level of knowledge of French history, culture, and society."
The government explained that the goal of adding the civics exam is to "improve the efficiency of examining applications for French nationality" and to "restrict the scope of the assimilation interview to only those applications that meet the conditions of admissibility."
As such, it appears that under the new rules, applicants who successfully pass the civics examination will then move forward to the assimilation interview.
It is not clear at this stage exactly what form the exam will take and whether there will be any exemptions. The decree states only that further details will follow in a ministerial document.
In terms of the knowledge being tested, this seems likely to be largely based on the Livret du citoyen, and therefore is essentially the same knowledge that people are already required to have for the citizenship interview.
The written test will be in addition to, not instead of, the in-person interview at the préfecture.
The Interior Ministry confirmed to The Local that the changes apply only to citizenship applications made after January 1st 2026 - anyone who has already applied and is waiting for their application to be dealt with is treated according to the current rules.
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