France Civic Exam Study Guide (Naturalisation) 2026

Who can become French by naturalisation

Naturalisation by decree (naturalisation par décret) is the usual way for an adult foreign national living in France to become French. The State decides; it is not automatic, even if you meet every condition. Since 1 January 2026 the rules are stricter: you must pass the civic exam and prove a higher level of French.

The application costs a €255 tax stamp (€127.50 in French Guiana). Most people apply online. The administration has up to 18 months to answer, or 12 months if you have lived in France for at least 10 years.

The civic exam (examen civique)

The civic exam was created by the immigration law of 26 January 2024 and has been required since 1 January 2026. It applies to naturalisation by decree and also to a first multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or resident card (carte de résident). You do not need it to renew those cards.

• 40 multiple-choice questions, in French.
• 28 knowledge questions and 12 everyday situations (mises en situation).
• Four options for each question, with one correct answer.
• Up to 45 minutes, on a tablet or computer.
• You pass with at least 32 correct answers (80%).

Two approved bodies organise the exam: the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce (CCIP) and France Éducation International. You register with one of them and sit the exam at an approved centre. You can take it at any time and as often as needed, and the pass certificate does not expire. People with a disability or health condition can ask for adjustments or an exemption with a medical certificate.

The five themes

1. Principles and values of the Republic: motto, symbols, secularism.
2. Institutions and political system, including the European Union.
3. Rights and duties of people living in France.
4. History, geography and culture.
5. Living in French society: school, health, work, family.

Theme 1: principles and values of the Republic

Article 1 of the Constitution says France is an indivisible, secular, democratic and social Republic. It ensures equality before the law for all citizens, whatever their origin, race or religion.

Secularism (laïcité)

The law of 9 December 1905 separated the Churches from the State. The State is neutral: it does not recognise or fund any religion, and it protects everyone's freedom to believe, to change religion or to have none. Public service staff must stay neutral at work, and users are treated the same way whatever their beliefs.

• In state primary and secondary schools, pupils may not wear signs or clothing that clearly show their religion (law of 2004).
• Hiding your face in public spaces is banned (law of 2010), with some exceptions such as health reasons.
• Religious practice is free in private life and in places of worship, as long as it respects public order.

Theme 2: institutions and the political system

The current Constitution dates from 4 October 1958 and founded the Fifth Republic. Power is divided between Parliament, which makes laws (legislative power), the President and the government, which apply them (executive power), and independent courts (judicial power).

• The President of the Republic is head of State, elected by direct universal suffrage for 5 years, for at most two consecutive terms.
• The President appoints the Prime Minister, who leads the government.
• Parliament has two chambers: the National Assembly (at most 577 deputies) and the Senate (at most 348 senators).
• The Constitutional Council checks that laws respect the Constitution.
• The prefect represents the State in each department.

Elections

French citizens can vote from 18. Voting is personal, free and secret, and it is not compulsory. Citizens of other EU countries living in France may vote in municipal and European elections.

Local government and Europe

France has almost 35,000 communes, 101 departments and 18 regions. Communes run nursery and primary schools, departments run collèges and social help, and regions run lycées and economic development. France is one of the six founding members of what became the European Union. The European Parliament sits in Strasbourg, and euro notes and coins replaced the franc in 2002.

Theme 3: rights and duties

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789 is still part of French constitutional law. Together with the Constitution and the 1946 Preamble, it protects equality, freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of religion, the right to strike and the right to join a trade union.

• Freedom of expression has limits: defamation, racist insults and incitement to hatred or violence are punished.
• Women and men have equal rights. Marriage requires the free consent of both people, who must be at least 18. Forced marriage is forbidden.
• Only a civil marriage at the town hall has legal effect, and it must come before any religious ceremony. Since 2013, two people of the same sex can marry.
• The death penalty was abolished in 1981. Abortion was legalised in 1975 (Veil law), and since 2024 the freedom to have an abortion is in the Constitution.
• Parents must raise children without physical or psychological violence.
• Discrimination, for example refusing a job or housing because of origin, is illegal. The Défenseur des droits is a free, independent authority that can help.

Duties

Everyone living in France must respect the law, pay taxes according to their means, send their children to school and help a person in danger when they can do so safely. Not helping someone in danger is an offence.

Theme 4: history, geography and culture

In July 1942, French police arrested about 13,000 Jewish men, women and children in Paris during the Vel' d'Hiv roundup. Most were deported and murdered. Jean Moulin worked to unite the Resistance and died in 1943 after his arrest.

Geography

• Mainland France borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra and Spain.
• The Loire is the longest river in France. Mont Blanc, in the Alps, is the highest peak.
• The overseas departments and regions are Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, La Réunion and Mayotte.
• Paris is the capital. Public holidays include 1 May, 8 May, 14 July and 11 November.

Writers such as Victor Hugo (Les Misérables) and Molière are part of the shared culture. The Panthéon in Paris honours great figures of the nation.

Theme 5: living in French society

• Education is compulsory from 3 to 16. State schools are free and secular and open to every child.
• Both parents normally share parental authority, even after a separation.
• The carte Vitale is your health insurance card. Declaring a regular doctor (médecin traitant) gives you normal refund rates.
• The legal working week is 35 hours. The SMIC is the minimum wage. Full-time employees earn 5 weeks of paid holiday a year.
• France Travail helps job seekers and pays unemployment benefits.

After the exam: interview, charter and ceremony

1. Pass the civic exam and get a French language certificate at level B2 or higher.
2. Apply online with your documents and the €255 tax stamp.
3. Attend an interview at the prefecture (or consulate if you live abroad). An officer checks your integration and your support for the Republic's principles and values.
4. Sign the Charter of the rights and duties of the French citizen at the end of the interview.
5. If the decision is positive, your naturalisation decree is published in the Journal officiel.
6. Attend a welcome ceremony into French citizenship, usually held by the prefect within 6 months.

The Livret du citoyen (citizen's booklet) helps you prepare for the interview. Missing the interview without a valid reason can lead to your application being closed.

Nationality through marriage

If you are married to a French citizen, you may be able to make a declaration of nationality (déclaration par mariage) instead. You usually need at least 4 years of marriage and a shared life since the wedding, plus a sufficient level of French. Check the official page for the current conditions in your case.