OFII Civic Training 2026: 4-Day Program and Preparation for the Civic Exam

Last updated: January 2026 – Compliant with the Law of January 26, 2024

The OFII civic training (formation civique OFII) is a mandatory step in the Republican integration process for all new foreign residents in France. Provided for by law, this 4-day training aims to facilitate the appropriation of the principles and values of the Republic and to foster a better understanding of French society. Since 2026, it has been complemented by a civic exam, the successful completion of which is necessary to obtain a multi-year residence permit or a resident card. This article details the complete program of the 4 days of civic training, explains how the civic exam works, and provides practical information (conditions, registration, locations, etc.), along with a FAQ to answer common questions.

What is the OFII Civic Training?

The OFII civic training is a 24-hour course (spread over 4 days) intended for first-time foreign arrivals, as part of the Republican Integration Contract (CIR). It is organized by the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII), generally shortly after arrival in France and the issuance of the first residence permit. The objective is twofold: to present the values of the French Republic and the functioning of French society, in order to promote the successful integration of new residents. The training notably covers the functioning of administrations and public services, to help participants with their daily and professional procedures in France.

This training is mandatory—it is one of the CIR commitments that the signatory agrees to respect. The Law of January 26, 2024, regarding immigration control and integration improvement, strengthened these obligations, notably by creating the final civic exam. By signing the CIR, the newcomer commits to attending the civic training diligently; at the end of the 4 days, a "certificate of diligence and attendance" is issued to them, attesting that they have followed the training as required. This certificate will be required during renewal procedures or applications for a multi-year residence permit.

2026 Civic Training Program: 4-Day Schedule

The civic training spans 4 days in person (generally from 9 AM to 5 PM, with a lunch break). These days can be spaced out over several weeks, up to a maximum of 4 months between the first and the last day. Each day addresses specific themes related to life in France. In total, five major themes are covered during the training:

• Principles and Values of the Republic: Liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism (laïcité), symbols of the Republic, etc.
• Institutional and Political System: French democracy, the organization of powers (executive, legislative, judicial), the functioning of the State, local authorities, the European Union and its institutions, etc.
• Rights and Duties of Residents in France: Guaranteed fundamental rights (freedoms, equality before the law...) and everyone's obligations (respect for laws, civic duties, etc.).
• History, Geography, and Culture of France: Major periods of French history, the country's geography (territory, regions, departments), and French cultural heritage.
• Living in French Society: Essential daily procedures (administrative, access to social rights), the health system, housing, work in France (job search, labor law), and family life (school, parental authority, childcare, etc.).

Daily Schedule

Each training day generally mixes two of these themes, alternating theoretical input, concrete examples, and exchanges with participants. Here is an overview of the four-day program:

Throughout the 4 days, the training remains interactive and accessible. Trainers use simple explanations and oral exercises to encourage exchanges and answer participants' questions. An interpreter may be present if necessary, to help those who do not yet master French well. The diversity of materials (presentations, videos, discussions, quizzes) makes the training lively and adapted to varied audiences.

The Civic Exam: A Mandatory Evaluation in 2026

Since January 1, 2026, passing a civic exam has become mandatory to validate the integration process. This exam was established by the Law of January 26, 2024, to ensure that first-time foreign arrivals sufficiently master the values of the Republic and essential knowledge about French society. Concretely, any adult foreigner signing the CIR must pass this exam if they wish to obtain, for the first time, a multi-year residence permit (CSP) or a resident card (CR). Candidates for French naturalization are also subject to this civic evaluation since 2026. Exceptions are provided: for example, beneficiaries of international protection (refugees, subsidiary protection beneficiaries) as well as nationals of certain countries linked to France by bilateral agreements are not required to pass the civic exam for their residence permit. Additionally, foreigners over 65 are not subject to this civic exam obligation according to official regulations (they are exempt from the exam due to their age).

Exam Structure

The civic exam takes the form of an MCQ (multiple-choice questionnaire) comprising 40 questions written in French. Each question offers 4 possible answers, only one of which is correct. The test lasts 45 minutes maximum and takes place on digital media (tablet or computer) in an accredited examination center. The questions are divided into 28 knowledge questions (verifying factual knowledge about France) and 12 scenario-based questions (presenting concrete situations to test understanding of values and rules). The entirety of the five themes of the civic training is covered by the exam questions. For example, a candidate may be asked about the meaning of the republican motto, the role of the President of the Republic, the rights they have in France, a significant historical fact, or the proper attitude to adopt in a daily life situation in France.

There are several levels of the civic exam depending on the candidate's application: the "multi-year residence permit" (CSP) mention, the "resident card" (CR) mention, and the "naturalization" mention. The themes are the same, but the difficulty level of the questions may vary depending on the residence title sought. To pass the civic exam, you must obtain at least 32 correct answers out of 40, which is an 80% success rate. Below this score, the exam is considered not validated (a fail).

Registration and Process

The civic exam is not organized directly by the OFII, but by certifying bodies accredited by the Ministry of the Interior. Two main entities manage the administration of the exam throughout French territory: on the one hand, the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris (CCIP) via the Le français des affaires network, and on the other hand France Éducation International (FEI). Exam centers are distributed in each region (including overseas territories), and candidates must register there for a given session. It is advisable to anticipate this registration as soon as possible, once the civic training is completed, in order to have the certificate of achievement before submitting the residence permit application. Registration is done either online (via the organizations' platforms, e.g., test-civique.fr for FEI) or by contacting an accredited center directly. Registration fees are generally required to take the test (the amount may vary by exam center, as each center sets its rates).

On the day of the exam, the candidate must present an ID and their convocation. The test takes place in a computer room under the supervision of examiners. If the candidate obtains the required 80% correct answers, they receive a certificate of achievement for the civic exam, which must be provided to the prefecture when applying for a multi-year residence permit, resident card, or naturalization. This certificate has no validity limit: once obtained, it remains valid for future procedures, without expiration. However, in case of failure, the candidate will have to book a new appointment for another attempt. It is possible to retake the exam as many times as necessary to pass, without a time restriction (subject, of course, to paying the registration fees for each attempt again).

It is important to note that the certificate of achievement for the civic exam is only required for a first application for a CSP or resident card. For a renewal of a multi-year or resident title already obtained previously, no new certificate is required. In other words, a person who already has a multi-year residence permit or a resident card will not have to retake the exam to renew their title. The civic exam therefore acts as an initial mandatory step, at the end of the CIR, before accessing long-term residence permits.

Tips to Prepare Well for the Civic Exam

The best preparation for the civic exam is obviously to attentively follow the 4 days of civic training. The exam content relates directly to the five themes studied during the training, so it is crucial to have assimilated these concepts. During the training, do not hesitate to take notes, ask questions to trainers, and participate in practical exercises. Diligence and involvement throughout the course will greatly facilitate your success in the final exam.

Additionally, the official civic training website provides resources for revision. You will find summary sheets by theme and by day, which review the essential points seen during the training. Rereading these sheets can refresh your memory on a point of law or a historical benchmark, for example. Furthermore, the Ministry has published the official list of knowledge questions that may appear on the civic exam, distinctly for the CSP mention and for the CR mention. These lists (available on the Ministry's website) detail all "theoretical" questions likely to be asked, classified by theme. It is strongly advised to browse these questions and ensure you know the correct answers for each. This helps fill any knowledge gaps. However, keep in mind that the scenario-based questions are not published in advance. These questions aim to evaluate your practical understanding of Republican values in concrete cases (daily life, interactions with the administration, respect for rules...). To answer them correctly, you must understand the spirit of the principles well and know how to apply them, which is largely acquired through discussions and examples seen in training.

Other preparation tools may be used: some organizations offer practice quizzes or specific preparation sessions for the civic exam. Do not hesitate to inquire with your exam center or the OFII if complementary resources exist locally. Finally, a good general knowledge of French society (e.g., following the news, informing yourself about institutions via the service-public.fr website or other official sources) can strengthen your confidence on the big day.

Practical Info: Registration, Location, Documents, Absence, Failure...

Eligibility and Convocation

The OFII civic training concerns all first-time foreign arrivals admitted to stay in France who sign the CIR, regardless of their nationality of origin (except for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who do not sign a CIR). After obtaining your first residence permit (usually valid for one year), you will receive an OFII convocation indicating the dates, times, and location of the civic training. This letter is generally sent to the address you provided to the prefecture; it is important to report any change of address to the OFII quickly to ensure you receive the convocation. You do not have to register for civic training yourself—the OFII takes care of scheduling you for a session as soon as you are required to take it.

Training Locations

Civic training sessions take place either at OFII premises or at authorized partner training organizations. The precise address of the training location is communicated to you on the convocation given by the OFII when signing the CIR. It may be a training center, a municipal or association hall, etc., generally in the department where you reside. Ensure you arrive at the indicated time because punctuality is part of diligence.

Cost

The civic training is entirely financed by the State via the OFII and free for participants. You will therefore have nothing to pay to attend the 4 days of training. Similarly, any educational materials distributed (brochures, paper handouts) are provided free of charge. On the other hand, the civic exam may incur registration fees payable by the candidate, set by the organization where they take the test. Check with the chosen center or the registration platform: for example, some CCIs ask for an amount of around 30 to 40 euros for test registration, but this rate may vary.

Language Used

The civic training is conducted in French, as one of the goals is also to familiarize newcomers with the French language in a civic context. However, an interpreter may be present during the training to translate and help people who do not master French well. This interpreting service is offered by the OFII free of charge for the participant. Do not hesitate to report, during the initial interview or at the beginning of the training, if you need translation into your language: the OFII will ensure the session is understandable for everyone. Written materials provided are in simple French, often illustrated, and trainers adapt their speech to be accessible even to beginner non-French speakers.

Documents to Bring

On the day of the training, bring at a minimum your OFII convocation and an ID (passport, residence permit, or valid receipt). The convocation generally lists the exact documents to present, often the original and a photocopy of your residence permit (or long-stay visa valid as a title). Also plan to bring something to take notes with (notebook, pen) to get the most out of the information delivered. It may be useful to bring your Republican Integration Contract or the citizen's booklet if the OFII gave you one, but it is not mandatory. Finally, think of your comfort: the day is long (7 hours of training), so wearing comfortable clothes and bringing a bottle of water is advised. Lunch is not provided, but a break of about one hour is planned for you to eat (it is up to you to plan a meal or find a dining place nearby).

Attendance and Absences

The success of your integration depends on unfailing attendance for the 4 days of training. You will have to sign an attendance sheet each half-day or day to attest to your diligent participation. In case of serious impediment (illness with medical certificate, unforeseen obligation), notify your OFII referee immediately. It is theoretically possible to make up a missed day by joining another session, but this remains at the OFII's discretion and within timeframes compatible with your residence obligations. If you do not attend the training without a legitimate reason, or if you drop out along the way, you will not receive the final certificate of diligence and attendance. This will have consequences on your right to stay: the absence of a certificate could lead the prefecture to refuse to issue you a multi-year residence permit until the training is completed, potentially leaving you with less stable short-term renewals. Furthermore, not respecting this CIR obligation could be interpreted as a breach of your commitments, which is to be avoided. In summary, except in cases of force majeure, ensure you participate in the entire 4 days. If an incident forces you to be absent one day, contact the OFII as soon as possible to know the replacement solutions.

What happens in case of failure in the civic exam?

In case of failure (less than 32/40 correct answers), do not panic: you will have the possibility to retake the exam. There is no limit to the number of attempts: you can re-register as many times as necessary until obtaining the certificate of achievement. Of course, you will have to respect the exam centers' scheduling delays and pay the registration fees again for each new session. Before retrying the exam, it is recommended to identify the themes that posed difficulties and rework them. You can, for example, review the thematic sheets on the civic training website, ask for advice from people who have already passed the test, or even ask the OFII for a referral to revision workshops if they exist. Important: As long as you have not passed the civic exam, obtaining a multi-year residence permit or resident card will be blocked (unless specifically exempt). This means that at the end of your first year of stay, if you fail the civic exam, the prefecture may grant you a temporary stay extension (e.g., a one-year renewal) while waiting for you to validate the civic exam required for the multi-year title. It is therefore in your interest to retake the test as soon as possible. Fortunately, the exam can be organized quickly: sessions take place regularly in each department, allowing you not to wait too long between two attempts.

What happens after the training and the exam?

Once the 4 days of training are completed diligently and the civic exam is passed, you will have fulfilled the main integration conditions imposed by the CIR. Your civic training certificate (attendance) and your civic exam certificate of achievement must be attached to your application for a multi-year residence permit or resident card. If you otherwise meet the other required conditions (resources, health insurance, etc., depending on the case), the prefecture can issue you a multi-year title valid for several years. Once these steps are crossed, you will not have to redo this civic training or the exam for future renewals of your titles: it is a lasting achievement of your integration journey.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about OFII Civic Training and the Civic Exam

In conclusion, the OFII civic training and the new 2026 civic exam form a coherent set to help newcomers integrate into France. In 4 days of training, you will discover the foundations of the Republic, practical benchmarks for living in France, and your daily rights and duties. The civic exam comes to objectively validate these achievements. By investing yourself seriously in this journey, you will not only obtain the precious pass for your residence permit, but you will also gain confidence and autonomy in your new life in France—which is indeed the ultimate goal of this integration system.