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‘I’ve just had my French citizenship interview: here are the questions I was asked’
What applicants can expect when attending their naturalisation interview
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A Connexion reader shared a list of questions they were asked during a French naturalisation interview, helping applicants prepare for what they may be asked when attending their prefecture appointment.
The applicant submitted their application before January 1, 2026, so the new requirements do not apply to them.
On January 1, 2026, new rules came into force introducing a mandatory civil examination (examen civique) and raised the minimum French language requirement from B1 to B2, although the rules differ for those applying through marriage.
Applications submitted before this date remain subject to the previous rules, so the reader only had to attend the prefecture interview while having already obtained B1-level French. The interview lasted 45 minutes.
However, the applicant said they had prepared by studying the 2026 version of the Livret du citoyen and practising questions from the new civic examination.
Questions asked during the interview
These are the questions the reader was asked. We have also included answers as a guide for other applicants preparing for their own appointments.
1. What is the motto of the French Republic?
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Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity).
2. What are the symbols of the Republic?
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According to the government's Livret du citoyen, these include the national holiday (July 14), the national anthem (La Marseillaise), the French language, Marianne, the tricolour flag (blue, white and red) and the Gallic rooster.
3. What is the national anthem of France?
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La Marseillaise, written by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792.
4. What event does the Fête nationale commemorate, and on what date is it celebrated?
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It is celebrated on July 14 and commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, a key event of the French Revolution. The date is also associated with the Fête de la Fédération of July 14, 1790, which celebrated national unity.
5. What were the dates of the First World War and the Second World War?
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World War One lasted from 1914 to 1918, while World War Two lasted from 1939 to 1945.
6. What are the main rights and duties of a French citizen?
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Rights include individual freedoms (of choice, thought, conscience, religion, expression and movement), dignity (privacy, respect for the person, control over one’s own body), security and justice (no arbitrary arrest, a fair trial, presumption of innocence), political rights (to vote, stand for election, assemble, demonstrate and form associations) and the right to a healthy environment.
In return, a citizen must respect the law and institutions, uphold the Republic’s values (liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism), take part in democratic life by voting and accepting election results, pay taxes, help defend the nation, protect the environment, send children to school and pass on republican values, and help anyone in danger.
7. When is the next presidential election?
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The next French presidential election is scheduled for 2027. The first round will take place on April 18, 2027, and the second round on May 2, 2027.
8. Who is the Prime Minister?
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The Prime Minister is Sébastien Lecornu.
9. Can you name a government minister?
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Examples include Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Culture Minister Catherine Pégard.
10. Which seas border France?
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Metropolitan France borders the North Sea, the English Channel, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean.
11. What are the main rivers in France?
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The main rivers include the Adour, Garonne, Loire, Meuse, Rhine, Rhône, and Seine.
12. Why do you want to acquire French citizenship?
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This is a personal question. Possible reasons include having established a long-term life in France, feeling integrated into French society, and having family ties in the country.
13. What are your hobbies and activities?
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This is again a personal question, so applicants should describe their interests such as sports, reading, cultural activities and volunteering.
Anyone preparing for their naturalisation interview can consult the government's 2026 Livret du citoyen.
