The civic exam for a multi-year residence permit: 2026 guide
Updated on October 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Since 1 January 2026, a certificate of success in the civic exam is required for any application for a first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle, CSP). It is the first of the exam’s three levels (CSP, resident card, naturalisation), with its own question bank. Here is what to know before you apply.
Who must take the exam for a CSP?
- Concerned: anyone applying for a first multi-year residence permit;
- not concerned: the renewal of a CSP you already hold;
- exempt: beneficiaries of international protection and nationals of countries covered by certain bilateral agreements.
The exam at CSP level
| Item | For the CSP |
|---|---|
| Format | 40 multiple-choice questions in French, on screen: 28 knowledge questions and 12 real-life scenarios |
| Time and pass mark | 45 minutes, 32 correct answers out of 40 |
| Official bank | 190 public knowledge questions |
| Difficulty | The most accessible of the three levels (in line with French A2) |
| Price | €60 to €80 per sitting, set freely by each centre |
| If you fail | You can retake it as many times as needed |
Sources: the Ministry of the Interior’s official leaflet (November 2025) and the minister’s answer to a written question published in August 2026 (price, retakes, 444 accredited centres as of 26 May 2026).
When and where to take it
You take the exam before applying for your CSP, in an accredited exam centre (CCI Paris Île-de-France or France Éducation International). Registration is online: how to register and where to take the exam. Allow some margin: slots can be booked several weeks ahead.
How to prepare
- Revise the CSP bank (190 questions): the 28 knowledge questions are drawn from it;
- practise the real-life scenarios: 12 questions out of 40;
- if you signed the republican integration contract (CIR), the OFII’s 4 days of civic training cover the same programme;
- take a mock exam in real conditions before paying for the official one.
How ready are you for the CSP questions?
15 official questions, no sign-up, to see if you are ready. With a free account: a full mock exam and every answer explained in English, French or Arabic.
Take the free testFrequently asked questions
Do I need the civic exam to renew my multi-year residence permit?
No. Only the first CSP application is concerned, not the renewal.
How many questions are in the official CSP bank?
190 knowledge questions, published by the Ministry of the Interior. On exam day, 28 are drawn from it, plus 12 unpublished scenarios.
How much does the civic exam cost for a CSP?
Between €60 and €80 per sitting: each accredited centre sets its own price.
What happens if I fail?
You can retake the exam as many times as needed, paying for each new sitting.