Civic exam
Civic exam for the multi-year residence permit
Sit a mock paper at the multi-year permit level, the most accessible of the three, and check what the permit itself costs.
Independent site, not linked to the French Interior Ministry, the préfectures or the exam centres.
Your score · Multi-year residence permit
0 / 40
0 / 40 answered
Pick an answer to start
| Pass mark: 32 of 40 |
| Time left: 45:00 |
Knowledge questions: French Interior Ministry, Licence Ouverte 2.0, translated by us. Options, explanations and scenarios: Radif Partners. The real exam is in French only. Not the official exam.
The multi-year permit civic exam is the test, at the multi-year residence permit level (carte de séjour pluriannuelle), required since 1 January 2026 for a first multi-year permit, valid for 2 to 4 years. It is the first of the three levels most newcomers meet, and it goes with French at level A2, the lowest of the three. The paper itself is no easier: 40 questions in French only, 45 minutes, 32 correct answers needed, 12 of them scenarios. The knowledge questions come from an official list specific to this level, focused on everyday life. Outside its scope are renewals, applicants over 65, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and stateless people for their multi-year permit, and permits issued outside the republican integration contract. The tool above draws a full paper at this level, shown in English to help you learn, and the small tool works out the stamps to pay for the permit, not counting the exam price.
Fee for a first residence permit
To pay in stamps
€350
| Stamp duty | €50 |
| Tax | €300 |
| Regularisation visa | €0 |
Answers, dates and costs by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method
A first permit, a first exam
For many newcomers, the multi-year permit is the first point where the civic exam applies. Valid for several years, it lets you plan work and family life without a yearly trip to the préfecture. Since 1 January 2026, a first multi-year permit requires two extra proofs: French at level A2 and a civic exam certificate at the multi-year permit level. The two can be prepared together, and each helps the other: reading the exam questions in French is good reading practice, and the A2 vocabulary makes the questions easier to follow. Bear in mind that the whole exam, including the instructions on screen, is in French only.
| Point | Multi-year residence permit |
|---|---|
| Civic exam | multi-year permit level, 32 of 40 |
| French | level A2 |
| Permit length | 2 to 4 years |
| Usual first-issue fee | €350 |
| Regularisation visa | €300 on top if you entered without a long-stay visa, €100 of it at filing |
The questions at this level
The official list for the multi-year permit level leans towards what every newcomer deals with: symbols of the Republic, voting, school, healthcare, work. History and geography still demand dates and places. You can read the full list, with answers, on the multi-year permit questions page.
The 12 scenario questions appear on no list. They cover the principles of the Republic and rights and duties, and ask you to spot the lawful response: discrimination in hiring, a refusal of care, a secularism question at a public service counter. Expats from countries with different rules on religion in public life often find these the trickiest.
Who does not sit the exam for this permit
- People renewing their multi-year permit.
- Applicants over 65.
- Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and stateless people, for their multi-year permit.
- Holders of permits issued outside the republican integration contract.
- People whose disability or health condition is certified by a doctor, who may get adjustments or an exemption.
The small tool below checks the age rule; the civic exam exemptions page covers each case. If you fail, there is no waiting period before you can book again, and the certificate you eventually get has no expiry date.
Do I have to sit the exam at my age?
Civic exam
Required
| Residence permits | exempt over 65 |
| Naturalisation | no age exemption |
Preparing for free
The republican integration contract includes a free civic training course of 24 hours over 4 days, and the ministry states that preparing for the exam can cost nothing at all. The ministry's question lists and theme sheets are open to all, and so is the mock paper on this page. The only exam-related cost is the booking fee, set by each centre: the price and booking page explains how to find your way. If you are unsure which level applies to you, the which civic exam page sorts it out by situation.