🇫🇷 France Residency Permit 2026: ‘Examen Civique’ and Complete Step-by-Step Form Filling Guide
For foreign nationals living in France, some major changes to the immigration rules have come into effect from 1st January 2026.
If you want to stay in France for the long term and are going to get your Multi-Year Residence Permit (CSP) or 10-year Resident Card for the first time, passing the Civic Exam (Examen Civique) has now become mandatory for you.
If you are applying for the first time, don’t take tension. In this post, we have explained the entire A to Z process step-by-step so that you don’t have to search anything else on Google.
📑 Table of Contents
📝 What is Examen Civique?
This is a 45-minute computer or tablet-based test (MCQ), where 40 questions related to France’s laws, history, culture, and society are asked.
- ✔️ Passing System: You will have to give at least 32 correct answers (80%) out of 40.
- ✔️ Language: This exam is conducted completely in the French language.
- ✔️ Topics: Values of the République, laws, society, and civic life.
This exam is the same for all applicants — the difficulty level is not different for CSP and the 10-year card.
You cannot give this exam directly — first, you have to complete the Civic Training (around 4 days / 24 hours), and only after that this exam happens.
📊 Language (Language Requirement – Updated Rules)
(Note: The French language rules have also been made stricter from 2026)
- Multi-Year Permit (CSP) → A2 Level
- 10-Year Resident Card → B1 Level
- Nationality (Citizenship) → B2 Level
📌 Step-by-Step Process: How to fill the form for the first time?
If you are eligible, you will have to follow this process to apply for the residency permit:
✔️ Step 1: Passing the Examen Civique and Language Test
Before filling the online form for the residency permit, you must have the passing certificates for both of these.
- First, you will have to complete the Civic Training (under OFII).
- After this, you will have to give the Examen Civique.
- Keep your passport and current ‘Titre de Séjour’ with you on exam day.
- Once you pass, you will get the certificate.
Without this certificate, your application will not be processed further.
✔️ Step 2: Checklist for Important Documents (Documents Required)
Before filling the form, keep all these documents scanned and ready:
- Passport copy
- Current card (Titre de Séjour / VLS-TS)
- e-Photo (22-digit code from Photomaton)
- Address proof (EDF / rent receipt)
- Examen Civique certificate
- French language certificate (A2 or B1)
- Contrat d’engagement à respecter les principes de la République (New mandatory contract)
- Job/Income proof (salary slips / contract / student letter)
✔️ Extra for the 10-Year Card:
- Last 5 years’ tax papers (Avis d’impôt)
- Proof of Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie): You will have to download and attach the ‘Attestation de droits’ from your Ameli account (CPAM) to prove you are covered.
✔️ Step 3: Where to fill the online form from?
You will have to go to France’s official ANEF website:
👉 administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
- Login using your Étranger Number.
- Select “Je demande ou je renouvelle mon titre de séjour”.
- Select the correct category.
✔️ Step 4: Documents Upload and Submission
- Fill in your personal details.
- Upload all documents.
- Enter the e-Photo code.
- Cross-check the form and submit it.
👉 Attestation de prolongation d’instruction.
👉 This is the proof that your file is in processing.
✔️ Step 5: Going to the Prefecture
- You will get a notification after approval.
- You will have to pay the Timbre Fiscal.
- Take an appointment and go to the Prefecture.
- Submit your old card and collect the new one.
🚫 Who doesn’t have to give this exam? (Exemptions)
- Renewal cases (those renewing their existing card)
- Refugees / international protection
Age-based exemption (like 65+) is not automatic in every case — it is decided on a case-by-case basis.
🔵 Special Rules: EU Blue Card and Passeport Talent
If you are a high-skilled worker, then:
- 👉 The rules might be different in some cases.
- 👉 But full exemption is not guaranteed in every situation.
- 👉 French Master’s Degree Exemption: If you are a Passeport Talent holder and have a Master’s degree or any state-recognized degree (Licence, Master, Doctorat) from France, you don’t have to give a separate B1 language test. For the 10-year card, your degree itself is considered valid proof of language proficiency.
➡️ It is important to confirm with the Prefecture or an official source.
💡 Conclusion
The aim of the new 2026 rules is better integration of immigrants into French society and language.
If you do your preparation (exam + language certificate) in advance, then applying on ANEF becomes quite easy.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Examen Civique and how long is it for?
It’s a 45-minute computer or tablet-based MCQ test. It has 40 questions related to French laws, history, and society, out of which giving 32 (80%) correct answers is mandatory to pass.
Can this exam be given directly?
No, according to the official rules, this exam isn’t given directly. First, you have to complete around 4 days (24 hours) of Civic Training under OFII, and only after that this exam takes place.
What are the new French language rules for the France Residency Permit?
The language rules have been made stricter from 2026. Now having an A2 level certificate for a Multi-Year Permit (CSP), B1 level for a 10-Year Resident Card, and B2 level for Nationality has become mandatory.
Do those with a Master’s degree from France have to give the B1 language test?
No, if you have a state-recognized degree from France (like a Master’s or PhD), you do not have to give a separate B1 exam (TCF/DELF) for the 10-year card. Your degree itself is considered proof of your language level.
Who gets an exemption from the Examen Civique?
Those who are renewing their existing card, or those who fall under Refugees/International protection, won’t have to give this exam. The exemption for people aged 65+ is decided on a case-by-case basis. People with EU Blue Card/Passeport Talent might also get an exemption in some cases under special rules, which is important to confirm from the Prefecture.
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