France introduces mandatory exam for foreigners: what awaits Ukrainians from 2026.

According to ТСН: France is implementing significant changes to its immigration legislation, which will directly affect foreigners planning to live long-term in the country.

Starting in 2026, passing a civic exam — Examen civique — will be mandatory for legalization. This requirement applies to all residency applicants, including Ukrainians who are under temporary protection.

The essence of the reform and Examen civique

The main goal of the novelties is to improve the integration of migrants into French society. The testing will confirm that a future resident understands the fundamental values of the Fifth Republic, knows their rights, and is aware of their responsibilities towards the state. Without a certificate of successful passing of the exam, submitting documents for most types of permits will be impossible.

Who needs to prepare for the exam

The new rules apply to those seeking the following statuses:

• 10-year residence card (regardless of previous grounds of stay).

• Long-term residence permits (VLS-TS) for a period of 2 to 4 years (work, business, family circumstances).

• Obtaining a French passport through the naturalization process.

Important: if you already have a long-term permit and are simply renewing it, you do not need to retake the test. However, for transitioning to a 10-year card or citizenship, the exam is mandatory.

Procedure and regulations for taking the exam

The action algorithm for foreigners looks like this:

• Pre-registration: the exam must be passed in advance, before applying for a new status.

• Official confirmation: the obtained certificate will become an important part of the file at the prefecture.

• Territorial coverage: the organization is managed by a network of accredited centers led by CCI Île-de-France Education. You can find the nearest location using the interactive map on government resources.

Preparation program: what you need to know

The exam questions cover a wide range of topics important for everyday life and civic responsibility:

• Ideological principles: secularism, freedom, and equality.

• Legal block: norms of legislation, functioning of state institutions, and the social system.

• Societal integration: rules of education, labor market, and medical care.

For self-study, the government has created a special platform, Formation Civique, where relevant questions, methodological cards, and explanations regarding the evaluation system are available.

These changes in immigration legislation will be an important step towards the integration of foreigners into French society. The new civic exam will not only promote knowledge of rights and responsibilities but also help migrants better understand the values and culture of France. These measures are expected to strengthen social cohesion and support order in migration processes.