Who is not affected by France's civic exam?

People not affected by the obligation

Some procedures are simply outside the civic exam framework:

• renewals of multi-year residence permits and resident cards, regardless of when the permit was first issued;
• acquisition of French nationality by declaration: naturalization by marriage to a French national, by ascendant of a French national, or by brother or sister of a French national;
• categories of multi-year permits and resident cards that are not subject to the civic exam depending on the grounds for the permit (not all CSP and CR categories are affected).

People not required to take the test for a residence permit

For first CSP or CR applications that are subject to the rule, some people are not required to take the civic exam under decree No. 2025-647:

• people over 65 (Article 8 of decree No. 2025-647);
• beneficiaries of international protection (refugee, subsidiary protection, stateless persons) and certain family members, for permits linked to those statuses;
• certain nationals covered by bilateral agreements, notably Algerian nationals for CSP and CR applications under the Franco-Algerian agreement of December 27, 1968.

Renewals: never affected

As the Ministry of the Interior states, renewing a multi-year residence permit or resident card never triggers a civic exam requirement, including for permits first issued before January 1, 2026.

The exam applies only to first applications for permits and procedures covered by current rules.

Medical waivers and exam accommodations

People whose health condition or disability makes assessment impossible may receive a waiver with a medical certificate establishing inability to take the test under normal conditions.

When assessment remains possible with adjustments, an exam accommodation may be granted on the basis of the same medical certificate. A waiver and an accommodation are different: a waiver exempts you from the test; an accommodation allows you to take it under adapted conditions.

Naturalization and reinstatement by decree

For acquisition of French nationality by decree — naturalization or reinstatement — the civic exam is generally required. Waivers that apply to residence permits (age, international protection, bilateral agreements) do not apply in the same way to naturalization by decree.

Only waivers expressly provided by law, notably the medical waiver when health or disability makes assessment impossible, may apply. If in doubt, confirm with the prefecture or official guidance before filing.

Summary table

Indicative summary by procedure type:

• CSP or CR renewal: not affected.
• Nationality by declaration (marriage, ascendant, brother/sister of French national): not affected.
• First CSP/CR application — over 65: not required to take the test.
• First CSP/CR application — international protection: not required for affected permit types.
• First CSP/CR application — Algerian national (1968 agreement): not required to take the test.
• Naturalization or reinstatement by decree: exam generally required; medical waiver possible where provided by law.
• Affected first application — general case: civic exam mandatory.

Frequently asked questions

Who is not affected by the civic exam?

Not affected: renewals of multi-year permits and resident cards, acquisition of nationality by declaration (marriage, ascendant, or brother/sister of a French national), and CSP/CR categories not subject to the obligation depending on permit grounds.

Are residence permit renewals affected?

No. Renewing a multi-year residence permit or resident card never requires taking the civic exam.

Must people over 65 take the exam?

For a first affected CSP or CR application, people over 65 are not required to take the test. For naturalization or reinstatement by decree, the exam generally remains required except for a medical waiver.

Does naturalization by marriage require the civic exam?

No. Naturalization by marriage to a French national is a declaration procedure, which is not subject to the civic exam.

Can you get a medical waiver or exam accommodation?

Yes, with a medical certificate. A waiver applies if assessment is impossible; an accommodation may be granted if the test remains possible under adapted conditions.