France to Require Civic Exam for Residence Permits in 2026

Key Point  

• France announced that, beginning 1 January 2026, foreign nationals applying for their first multi‑year residence permit or first resident card must pass a mandatory civic exam  

Residence Permit Requirements 2026  

Effective 1 January 2026, France will require proof of successful completion of a civic exam for all first‑time applications for: 

• Multi‑year residence permits (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) 
• Resident cards (carte de résident) 

This requirement applies to nationals of non‑EU countries. The exam assesses knowledge of French civic values, rights and responsibilities. 

Who Is Exempt 

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the following groups are not required to take the exam: 

• Beneficiaries of international protection 
• Nationals covered by specific bilateral agreements 
• Applicants renewing an existing multi‑year permit or resident card 

Impact 

Applicants planning to obtain long‑term residence in France in 2026 should prepare to complete the civic exam before submitting their first application. Prefectures will require an official attestation of exam completion as part of the application file. 

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