If you are planning to obtain a multi-year residence permit (visa pluriannuel) in France, there is an important change you need to be aware of. Starting soon, you will need to prepare for a new civic exam (examen civique) in order to access long-term residency.

This new requirement is part of France’s effort to strengthen integration (l’intégration) and ensure that people who wish to live in the country long term understand its values, institutions and everyday civic life.

The civic exam is an official test based on French citizenship knowledge (la citoyenneté). It evaluates your understanding of key elements of French society:
the values of the Republic, rights and duties, institutions, history, and life in France.

If you want to obtain a multi-year residence permit, a 10-year resident card, or later apply for French nationality, you will need to pass this exam and provide proof of success with your application.

You can already access the official list of questions published by the French government here


This is not a trick exam. The questions are public, clear, and designed to help you understand how French society works.

What many people don’t know is that this civic knowledge is something French citizens themselves learn at school.

From middle school to high school, students follow classes called EMC (Enseignement Moral et Civique).

In these classes, we learn about:

• the values of the French Republic (liberté, égalité, fraternité)

• secularism (la laïcité)

• democracy, voting and institutions

• respect, responsibility and life in society
  
  

In other words, learning citizenship has always been part of the French education system. The civic exam simply extends this learning to adults who choose to build their life in France.

Preparing for the civic exam also reminds us of something essential: learning French is not only about grammar and vocabulary.

It is about understanding a culture, a history, shared values and social habits.

This is something I deeply believe in as a teacher. In my classes, I always make space for French culture and traditions, because language only truly makes sense when it is connected to real life.

Learning why French people value long family meals, public debate, school traditions or national symbols helps students feel more confident, included and truly at home.

If you plan to apply for a long-term residence permit, my advice is simple:
start preparing early, read the official questions, and take time to understand the logic behind them.

This exam is not there to exclude, but to support integration and encourage a shared understanding of life in France.

In many ways, this civic exam can be seen as an invitation rather than an obstacle.
It encourages future long-term residents to better understand the country they have chosen to live in, beyond administrative procedures.

Knowing how institutions work, what rights you have, but also what responsibilities come with living in France, helps build confidence and independence in everyday life. It allows people to better understand discussions in the media, at work, or even around the family table.

For many newcomers, France can sometimes feel complex or difficult to navigate. The civic exam provides clear reference points and shared knowledge, which can make integration smoother and more meaningful.

It also highlights something very French: the importance of debate, values, and collective life. These are not abstract ideas, but elements that shape daily interactions, from school to the workplace, from public services to social life.

Taking the time to prepare for this exam is also an opportunity to reflect on your own journey, your reasons for settling in France, and the place you wish to take in society.

Whether you are learning French, building a career, raising a family, or simply creating a new home here, understanding the foundations of French civic life can only enrich your experience.

France is a country deeply attached to its history, its values and its traditions — and sharing this knowledge is a way of opening the door to a more connected and conscious life in the country.

If you would like to start learning French, improve your level, or prepare for the civic exam with guidance, you can book a call with me to talk about your goals and the best way to move forward.