Exemption from the French test and the civic exam: the only cases provided for by the texts

First thing to know: there are two regimes, not one

“Am I exempt?” does not have a single answer, because the question depends on what you are applying for. The exemption rules are not the same depending on whether your application falls under nationality law or residence law. They appear in different texts, and they do not accept the same grounds.

In other words: the exemption at 65 that everyone talks about does exist, but it applies to the resident card, not to French nationality. Confusing the two costs several months, because people submit a naturalisation application without a language document, believing they are exempt.

French nationality: only one case of exemption

The text that settles the question is theorder of 30 December 2025 setting out the arrangements for exemption from providing proof of command of French and of passing the civic exam required of applicants for French nationality (NOR INTV2536199A, published in the Journal officiel of 31 December 2025, applicable from 1 January 2026). Its title already says the essential point: it deals with exemption from two proofs, language and the civic exam.

And it accepts only one ground: disability or chronic illness. The reference is article L. 114 of the Social Action and Families Code, which defines disability as “any limitation of activity or restriction of participation in life in society” suffered because of a substantial, lasting or permanent impairment of one or more physical, sensory, mental, cognitive or psychological functions.

The article 37-1 of decree no. 93-1362 of 30 December 1993 sets out the same principle on the decree side: people whose disability or chronic health condition makes language assessment impossible are exempt, under arrangements defined by order.

How to obtain the exemption

It is not automatic: you have to apply for it, with supporting documents. The order requires a medical certificate drawn up by a doctor, which concludes either:

• that there is a need for an adjustment to the assessment of French and/or the civic exam, you then take the papers, but under adapted conditions;
• that the disability makes the assessment impossible this is the exemption itself.

The order replaces the medical certificate template that had been in use since 17 July 2020. Its article 3 also provides that the authorities may have the situation checked by a doctor on an official list, or, abroad, by a doctor from the diplomatic and consular network.

Residence permit: the exemption at 65

For a first 10-year resident card, the administration’s official presentation, “Carte de résident de 10 ans d’un étranger en France” (10-year resident card for a foreign national in France), states that you must prove knowledge of French at B1 level and success in the civic exam “resident card” category, and specifies that you are not concerned if you have over 65. The exemption covers both conditions at once: language and the civic exam.

The same rule applies to the permanent resident card : B1 level and civic exam required, with people aged 65 and over exempt.

On the integration pathway side, the Decree No. 2025-647 of 15 July 2025 the one that implements article 20 of law no. 2024-42 of 26 January 2024 and changes the republican integration contract follows the same structure: B1 level and civic exam for the resident card, with both conditions waived over the age of 65; A2 level and civic exam for the multi-year residence permit. It also provides for adjustments, or an exemption, for people with a disability or a chronic illness.

Adjustments: taking the exam, differently

An adjustment is the most common solution, and the most useful: you do take the exam, but the practical conditions are adapted. Theorder of 10 October 2025 on the syllabus, papers and organisation of the civic exam sets the length of the civic exam at 45 minutes maximum, and provides that this time may be extended in case of a medical adjustment.

In practice, an adjustment must be requested before the session, not on the day itself: an exam centre cannot improvise extra time or a separate room when the candidate arrives. If this applies to you, say so when you register, with the medical certificate.

For our part, MYSTORY FORMATION publishes its procedure on the Disability accesspage. It is a commitment under our Qualiopi certification no. QUA007960, and it is the right place to tell us about a need before booking a session.

If you are not exempt from anything: where to start

This is the situation of the vast majority of candidates. Two obligations, two separate exams, which are not prepared for in the same way:

1. 1The language test. For nationality, B2; for a first resident card, B1; for a multi-year residence permit, A2. Start by measuring your real level: our free level test places it, and it is what determines the useful number of hours.
2. 2The civic exam. A multiple-choice questionnaire of 40 questions, 45 minutes maximum, 32 correct answers out of 40 required. The syllabus is the same for all three categories. See the topics and sample questions and where it takes place it does not take place at the prefecture.

Both exams are taken at our centre in Rosny-sous-Bois (46 bis rue d’Estienne d’Orves, 93110), an exam centre approved for two years. Our branches in Gagny (93) and Sarcelles (95) are reception and registration points: no exams are taken there. The dates are published on the upcoming sessions page.