France has announced a significant tightening of its immigration rules, introducing a mandatory 'civic examination' for anyone seeking a multi-year residency permit. The new policy, set to take effect from the beginning of next year, aims to ensure prospective residents possess sufficient knowledge of French history, culture, and political values.
The Structure and Purpose of the New Civic Test
The French government states the primary goal of the exam is to 'control immigration' and promote better integration. Proponents argue it will guarantee that individuals wishing to live in France long-term have the foundational understanding needed to participate fully in society. The test will be a 40-question multiple-choice examination, conducted entirely in French. To pass, applicants must correctly answer at least 32 questions.
The exam will cover five major themes:
- Principles and values of the Republic
- Institutional and political system
- Rights and duties
- History, geography, and culture
- French society
From Simple Facts to Philosophical Questions
While some questions will assess straightforward factual knowledge—such as the national motto being 'Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité' or the location of the Eiffel Tower—others delve into more complex, philosophical territory. Applicants may be asked to explain why the principle of secularism must be respected in schools, define what equality means, or articulate the concept of freedom.
Critics of the policy contend that the test's difficulty is designed not to foster integration but to act as a barrier, potentially stopping people from obtaining residency. The move comes amid a revealing demographic report from France's National Institute of Demographic Studies, which found that deaths in the country exceeded births last year for the first time in at least a century, excluding periods of war. This highlights the nation's reliance on migration to maintain its population.
Demographic Context and Sample Questions
Official figures from the interior ministry show France, with a population of 68.6 million, is home to 7.1 million legal immigrants. Last year alone, 343,000 new residency permits were issued. The new civic test represents a pivotal shift in how the country selects its future residents.
Could you pass? Here are six sample questions based on the test's themes:
- What does the date of July 14 represent for France?
- Which animal is a symbol of France?
- Who is Marianne?
- What year did the French revolution begin?
- Who was Albert Camus?
- What is the Marseillaise?
Answers: 1) Bastille Day, 2) The Gallic Rooster, 3) The female personification of France after the Revolution, 4) 1789, 5) A French philosopher born in Algeria in 1913, 6) The French national anthem.
