Civic exam topic guide
Rights and duties
Equality and non-discrimination, schooling, work, health and social security, emergency numbers and what is forbidden in France: the rights and duties theme of the French civic exam.
Rights and duties are the practical heart of the exam: what you are free to do, what you must do, and who to call when something goes wrong.
The guide covers the freedoms of the Declaration of 1789, the duties of a resident (the law, taxes, school), school, work and health care in France, and the emergency numbers 15, 17, 18 and 112.
Rights and duties in France
Your freedoms, your duties, school, work, health care and the emergency numbers.
What each guide covers
- Your rights and freedomsThe Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789) and the Constitution protect the freedoms of all the people who live in France.
- Your duties as a resident and a citizenRights and duties go together.
- School, work and health carePublic school is free and secular.
- Emergency numbersKnowing who to call is one of the most practical questions of the exam, and the numbers are free to call.
Remember for the exam
- Freedoms: opinion, press, religion, assembly, association; the limits are insult, threats and hatred.
- Duties: respect the law, pay taxes, send children to school (3–16).
- Carte Vitale and médecin traitant; 35-hour week; five weeks of paid leave.
- Numbers: 15 SAMU, 17 police, 18 firefighters, 112 Europe, 3919 violence against women.
A sample question from the bank
Question : Quel numéro d’urgence faut-il appeler pour la police ? Réponse : 17.
Question : Combien d’heures par semaine dure la durée légale du travail ? Réponse : 35 heures.
Questions people ask
Which number do I call for the fire brigade?
18. The SAMU (medical emergency) is 15, the police is 17 and the European emergency number is 112.
Do I have to declare my income every year?
Yes, taxpayers declare their income each year to the tax administration.
Which emergency number should I call?
15 for the SAMU (a medical emergency), 17 for the police or the gendarmerie, 18 for the firefighters and 112 for the European emergency number. All are free.
Until what age is school compulsory?
From 3 to 16 years old. Public school is free and secular, and girls and boys follow the same classes.
More guides
Ready to practise?
Study the questions by theme, then take the timed practice exam.