STARTING JANUARY 1, 2026, SUCCESS IN THE CIVIC EXAM WILL BE NECESSARY TO OBTAIN A MULTI-YEAR RESIDENCE PERMIT, A RESIDENT CARD, OR NATURALIZATION
The law of January 26, 2024, to control immigration and improve integration, reinforces the requirements regarding proficiency in French and republican integration for foreign nationals wishing to remain in France for an extended period.
It specifically establishes a civic exam, which will become mandatory and must be certified by a certificate of success starting January 1, 2026, for any first application for a multi-year residence permit (multi-year residence permit or resident card) from foreign residents who are nationals of countries outside the European Union.
By decree of July 15, 2025, the civic exam has also been made mandatory, effective on the same date, for naturalization applications.
All information concerning the civic exam is available on the website of the Directorate General for Foreign Nationals in France, part of the Ministry of the Interior: https://www.immigration.interieur.gouv.fr
🌐 New Civic Training Website
To support foreign nationals in this new process, which is necessary for the acquisition of a multi-year residence permit, the Directorate General for Foreign Nationals in France of the Ministry of the Interior is launching a website entirely dedicated to civic training:
https://formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr
This training, which is part of the Republican Integration Contract (CIR) and is delivered by the OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration), allows individuals to understand the principles and values of the Republic, to know how institutions function, as well as the rights and duties associated with life in France.
The site compiles 222 thematic fact sheets and structured content to help foreign nationals follow their training, deepen essential concepts, and prepare for the civic exam.
* It also provides practical answers regarding the content and procedures for taking the exam.
* The potential questions that may be asked are also posted online. This does not include the situational exercises.
* Finally, it allows users to find the approved centers for taking the exam, which are distributed across the national territory.
This new platform will be regularly updated to offer foreign nationals comprehensive support in their integration journey and towards success in the civic exam.
🏛️ Naturalization Requirements
For naturalization applications, the requirements are reinforced.
Information related to this process is available on the website of the Directorate General for Foreign Nationals in France, in the section “Intégration et accès à la nationalité française” (Integration and Access to French Nationality):
https://www.immigration.interieur.gouv.fr
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