New French Residency Civic Tests Confirmed: News Digest 

France’s new residency civic tests have been confirmed, MPs vote in favour of automatic renewal of long-term residency cards, the online final taxe d’habitation deadline is approaching, and farmers have called for a protest against a government-approved cattle culling. Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.

New French Residency Civic Tests Confirmed

On 14 December, the French Interior Ministry confirmed that, as of 1 January 2026, non-EU nationals seeking to stay in France for more than one year will be required to pass an examen civique. These new tests will apply to first-time applicants for the four-year carte de séjour pluriannuelle, the ten-year carte de resident and those who are in the process of becoming a citizen. 

Candidates must demonstrate an A2-level proficiency in spoken French and answer a 30-question multiple-choice test on French history, values, and administrative life. Training modules, which are delivered by the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII), are free and compulsory and mock tests are already available online. 

MPs Vote in Favour of Automatic Renewal of Long-term Residency Cards

French MPs have voted in favour of automatically renewing multi-year and cartes de residence, despite the government’s strong stance against the measure. Currently, the renewal process can take several months, creating a risk that applicants could lose their right to remain in France if there are delays. Residents whose cards are not renewed in time can lose access to work, benefits, housing and healthcare. 

Read about Navigating Post-Brexit Residency Card Renewals here.

Upcoming Taxe d’Habitation Deadline

20 December is the cut-off for paying your taxe d’habitation online this year. This local property tax applies to furnished second homes, which are based on the property’s rental value, with an additional rate set by local authorities.

Read our guide on paying Taxe d’Habitation and Taxe Foncière here. 

Farmer Protests Against Diseased Cattle Culling

French farmers are calling for further protests over a government-backed slaughter of cattle herds that have been infected with ‘Lumpy Skin Disease.’ Although the illness is not fatal to cows, it can badly affect their milk production, making them unsaleable. Last week, there were clashes between riot police and demonstrators in the southern Ariège department after vets were called to farms to cull potentially contaminated animals. 

For those living in rural Southern France, be aware of potential road delays if these protests go ahead.