Since 1 January 2026, the citizenship test has become a compulsory step for many foreign nationals wishing to obtain a long-term residence permit or acquire French nationality.
Coming into force on 1 January 2026, the citizenship test marks a significant development in the integration process for foreign nationals in France. Now a requirement for certain administrative procedures, it aims to assess knowledge of the principles and values of the French Republic, as well as an understanding of how French society functions.
This new assessment applies in particular to applications for multi-year residence permits, residence cards and French naturalisation. It forms part of an effort to provide greater support to foreign nationals in helping them understand the fundamental aspects of life in France.

A test that is now compulsory for a number of procedures

Since 1 January 2026, passing the citizenship test has been compulsory for anyone wishing to obtain:
– a multi-year residence permit (first application),
– a residence card,
– French naturalisation (initial application or renewal).
Depending on the course chosen, a minimum level of French is also required:
– A2 or higher for a multi-year residence permit,
– B1 or higher to apply for a residence card,
– B2 or higher for an application for naturalisation.
Each question corresponds to a specific version of the citizenship exam.

How is the civics exam conducted?

The exam is taken on a computer in the form of a multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ).

Key points to remember:
– Price: 70 €
– Duration: 45 minutes
– Format: 40 questions
– Success: 32 correct answers out of 40 (80 %)

The questions cover a number of topics:
– the values of the Republic,
– rights and responsibilities,
– French institutions,
– history and culture,
– everyday situations in France.

The role of France Éducation international (FEI)

France Éducation international (FEI), a public body under the supervision of the Ministry of National Education, plays an operational role in the administration of this examination.
Its responsibilities include, in particular:
– organising the sessions,
– the roll-out of secure digital tools,
– managing enrolments,
– ensuring the integrity of the examinations.
The content of the exam, for its part, falls within the remit of the Ministry of the Interior.
This initiative forms part of FEI’s wider mission: to develop reliable and recognised qualifications in support of public policies aimed at the integration and promotion of the French language.
In just three months, more than 10,000 candidates have already received their certificates of completion from FEI-accredited centres, demonstrating how quickly this new scheme has been taken up.

Register for the citizenship test at the Alliance Française in Toulouse

The Alliance Française in Toulouse helps candidates with their registration and offers several exam sessions each week.

Step 1: Pre-registration with FEI

Before registering, candidates must pre-register on the France Éducation International website.
⚠️ A valid email address is essential in order to receive the confirmation email needed to complete your registration.
If you encounter any difficulties, a drop-in service is available at the Alliance Française de Toulouse office: Tuesdays from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Step 2: Choose your exam session

Once their registration has been confirmed by FEI, candidates must contact the examination centre to choose their sitting (date and time).
The candidate then completes the Alliance Française de Toulouse registration form and makes the payment:
– directly on the Alliance Française de Toulouse website,
– or on site.
A registration certificate stating the date, time and version of the examination is then issued to the candidate. This document must be kept in a safe place.
⚠️ No reminders are sent by email or text message.

On the day of the exam

Applicants must bring the following with them:
– proof of identity,
– their username and password to access their candidate portal.
A valid residence permit is accepted for all candidates.
For European Union nationals wishing to sit the citizenship test for the purposes of naturalisation, a passport or identity card is accepted.
The entire application is checked with a member of the Alliance Française de Toulouse team, and a photograph is taken on the spot.

Session schedule

The Alliance Française in Toulouse offers the following courses:
– on Monday afternoons,
– on Tuesday mornings and afternoons,
– on Wednesday mornings.

Results and preparation

Results are available in the candidate portal within approximately 12 hours of the exam.
⚠️ Candidates must retain access to the candidate portal in order to download their results certificate.

There are no specific revision courses for the citizenship exam. However, the Home Office provides a free revision website covering all the topics and possible questions: civic-education.interieur.gouv.fr

A new tool to support integration

With this new citizenship exam, France is strengthening the measures designed to help candidates gain a better understanding of the values, institutions and key principles of life in society.
The Alliance Française in Toulouse supports candidates at every stage of their journey to ensure they can access this new scheme under the best possible conditions.

Further reading
– General information on the citizenship test – Home Office
– France Education International (FEI)
– Decree No. 2025-647 of 15 July 2025
– Order of 10 October 2025