https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from France in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed If you're feeling stressed about the new French civics test required for citizenship and certain types of residency cards, there are now several websites that allow you to practice before taking the exam. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260317/explained-the-website-that-helps-you-study-for-the-french-civics-test Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:54:57 +0100 explained-the-website-that-helps-you-study-for-the-french-civics-test Anyone wanting to become a French citizen, now has to take a 40-question civics test and it’s not that easy, writes The Local’s Ben McPartland. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260210/opinion-warning-the-new-french-civics-test-for-citizenship-is-harder-than-i-imagined Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:28:46 +0100 opinion-warning-the-new-french-civics-test-for-citizenship-is-harder-than-i-imagined People applying for French citizenship as well as certain residency permits now have to take a new civics test, but the cost will vary depending on where you take it. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260122/how-much-will-it-cost-to-take-the-new-french-civics-test Thu, 22 Jan 2026 22:04:17 +0100 how-much-will-it-cost-to-take-the-new-french-civics-test From EU treaties to French geography, via the rules on secularism and the works of Victor Hugo, here's a sneak peek at some of the questions in the new French civics test. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260112/trick-questions-first-candidates-in-frances-new-civics-test-speak-out Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:57:53 +0100 trick-questions-first-candidates-in-frances-new-civics-test-speak-out France’s new civics test for citizenship and certain residency permits is "an added stress" applicants do not need, French civil rights groups have warned. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260102/an-added-stress-critics-blast-frances-new-civics-test-for-foreigners Fri, 02 Jan 2026 16:22:35 +0100 an-added-stress-critics-blast-frances-new-civics-test-for-foreigners The French government has unveiled details of its new written civics test, which will be required of people applying for certain types of residency cards and citizenship. Here is an example of what to expect. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251016/quiz-could-you-pass-the-new-french-civics-test Thu, 16 Oct 2025 18:16:39 +0200 quiz-could-you-pass-the-new-french-civics-test The French government has published details of the new civics test that will be required of people applying for certain types of residency cards and French citizenship from 2026 onwards, as well as how and where the tests can be booked. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251016/french-government-unveils-details-of-new-civics-tests-for-foreigners Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:43:50 +0200 french-government-unveils-details-of-new-civics-tests-for-foreigners Over-65s will, in fact, be exempt from the new French language and civics test requirements for residency cards, which started on January 1st, 2026. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251022/french-government-confirms-civics-and-language-test-exemption-for-over-65s Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:22:51 +0200 french-government-confirms-civics-and-language-test-exemption-for-over-65s The French government is bringing in new requirements for some foreigners in France applying for residency or nationality. There are, however, many exemptions - here's a look at exactly who has to take the new civics test. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251022/explained-who-has-to-take-frances-new-civics-test Wed, 22 Oct 2025 20:03:43 +0200 explained-who-has-to-take-frances-new-civics-test In the last couple of years, France has made some significant changes to the requirements for French citizenship - here's an overview of what has changed, and what has stayed the same. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251010/guide-all-the-recent-changes-to-french-citizenship Fri, 10 Oct 2025 18:08:09 +0200 guide-all-the-recent-changes-to-french-citizenship France's latest immigration law is bringing some big changes for people applying to become French - here's what changes and what stays the same when it comes to French citizenship. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250728/whats-changing-and-whats-staying-the-same-for-french-citizenship Mon, 28 Jul 2025 18:03:57 +0200 whats-changing-and-whats-staying-the-same-for-french-citizenship In a decree, the French government has formally announced plans to introduce a written history and civics test as one of the new requirements for citizenship applications. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250728/france-confirms-new-written-test-for-citizenship-applications Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:55:03 +0200 france-confirms-new-written-test-for-citizenship-applications