As part of France's 2024 immigration law, on January 1st, 2026, the government has brought in new requirements for residency cards and nationality applications.
One key change is the introduction of a new civics test that will be required of people applying for certain types of residency cards, as well as French nationality.
Who has to take the civics test?
Broadly, people applying for certain types of multi-year residency cards - the carte de séjour pluriannuelle and the 10-year carte de résident will have to take a civics test. People applying for French citizenship by residency (par décret) will also have to pass a civics test.
As there are three situations where you need the civics test, there will also be three different types of civics tests.
All three will be in French, and they will cover the same five themes, which are broadly represented in the Livret du Citoyen. However, they will be adapted based on language level and the type of card/ status the person is applying for.
READ MORE: Quiz: Could you pass the new French civics test?
Here are three categories:
Multi-year residency cards
In France, the standard is that you can apply for the multi-year residency card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) when your carte de séjour temporaire (one-year card) nears its expiration date.
Applicants must continue to fulfil the requirements of their card, and starting in 2026, applicants will also need to show an A2 French level and that they have passed the civics test to be awarded the carte de séjour pluriannuelle.
However, there are (confusingly) multiple types of French residency cards, and only some of them require holders to take the civics test once they switch to the pluriannuelle.
Statuses such as the worker (salarié), self-employed (entrepreneur/profession libérale), and certain types of family and private life (vie privée et familiale) category, including parents of French minors and foreign spouses and partners (PACs) of French nationals, must complete the civics test before applying for a multi-year card for the first time.
However, other card types, including those on the 'talent' status (and their families), as well as the students and posted workers, are exempt.
Basically if your card type requires the contrat d'intégration républicaine (CIR), you will also have to do the civics test - you can see a table of which cards must complete the CIR here.
READ MORE: OFII: Your questions answered on France's immigration office
The 10-year carte de résident
France's 10-year carte de résident is usually available after five years of consecutive residency in France, though in some cases you can apply after three years (ex., married to a French spouse).
From January 2026, those applying for a first-time 10-year carte de résident will not only need to demonstrate a B1 level in French but also a passing score on the civics test.
Applying for French citizenship
Starting in January 2026, you will have to show at least a B2 level of French, regardless of whether you are applying for French nationality based on residency or marriage/family ties.
If you are applying based on residency - meaning you have lived in France a minimum of five years (two years in some cases) - then you must also pass the civics test. The civics test is not required, however, for people applying by marriage.
The civics test will be in addition to the existing integration interview.
Who is exempt?
But as all French learners know, for every rule there is an exception. The substantial list of exemptions for the civics test requirement means that many people will never have to worry about this.
People age 65 and older (for residency cards) - If you are 65 or older, then you are exempt from both the language and civics test requirements for French residency cards.
However, if you want to apply for French nationality, there is no broad age-related exemption. You would still need to show a B2 level of French and pass the civics test.
READ MORE: French government confirms civics and language test exemption for over 65s
People with disabilities - If you can show proof of a disability that prohibits you from passing the civics test, then you can be exempted. You will need a doctor's note.
Card renewals - those who already have a carte de séjour pluriannuelle or a carte de résident and are simply applying to renew do not need to do the civics test, since this requirement concerns 'first requests' for each type of card.
Post-Brexit Brits - Brits who arrived in France before Brexit and have the carte de séjour Article 50 TUE (sometimes known as the WARP card) do not need to do a civics test when they come to renew.
New arrivals and those on short-term residency cards - The civics test requirements do not kick in until you have lived in France for at least two to five years. In the beginning, you will be on a short-term visa or residency card.
You'll only have to think about the civics test if you choose to apply for either one of the multi-year cards listed above, the 10-year carte de résident, or nationality based on residency. If you have a one-year card and you wish to renew it for another one-year card, you will not be asked to take the civics test.
However, there are limits to the number of times you can renew a one-year status before you are required to request a multi-year card. The 'visitor' card is exempt from this, so in theory you could continue renewing it as many times as you wish, though you would need to pay a fee each year.
READ MORE: Your questions answered: New French language requirements for foreigners
Students, Talent Passport and posted workers - Posted workers, people on the 'talent' carte de séjour (and their families), as well as students, are also exempt from the civics test.
However, if you eventually wish to apply for either a 10-year carte de résident or French nationality by residency, you will need to pass a civics test.
Citizenship
When it comes to applying for French citizenship, there are far fewer exemptions.
There is no exemption for certain statuses, such as post-Brexit Brits or the Talent card-holders. Neither is there a blanket exemption for over 65s - the only age-related exemption is for people who are over 70s are exempt and also have refugee status and have lived in France for at least 15 years.
However, if you are applying for French nationality by déclaration (marriage or family ties), you do not need to pass the civics test (although you do have to take the language test).
The same goes for those who are technically already French but are applying for a certificat de nationalité française (CNF), such as those with a French parent.
READ MORE: GUIDE: All the recent changes to French citizenship
Emma Pearson
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