Who Is Exempt from the Citizenship Test? Age and Medical Exemptions

Short answer: Most countries exempt children, older applicants and people with a qualifying medical condition from the citizenship test. In the UK, people aged 65 or over are exempt. In Canada, applicants aged 55 or over are exempt. In Australia, applicants aged 60 or over are exempt. In the US, older long-term residents may skip the English test and take the civics test in their own language.

Citizenship test exemptions by country

United States: the 50/20, 55/15 and 65/20 rules

• 50/20: If you are 50 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years, you do not take the English test. You take the civics test in your own language with an interpreter.
• 55/15: The same applies if you are 55 or older with 15 years as a permanent resident.
• 65/20: If you are 65 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident, you also study a shorter list of civics questions.

Your age and years of residence are counted at the time you file Form N-400.

Medical exemptions

Medical exemptions are for conditions that prevent you from learning or showing the required knowledge, not simply for finding the test difficult. You will normally need evidence from a qualified medical professional. In the US, this is Form N-648. In the UK, you send evidence with your application. Each authority decides whether your evidence is sufficient.

Other common exemptions

• Education: In Germany, a German school-leaving certificate that covered politics or social studies can exempt you. In Spain, some people who studied in the Spanish education system may be exempt.
• Nationality: Some countries exempt certain nationalities under international agreements. France, for example, exempts some nationalities from its civic exam.
• Diplomas: In the Netherlands, certain Dutch diplomas exempt you from civic integration. DUO decides.

Exempt from the test, but not from everything

An exemption from the citizenship test does not always exempt you from the language requirement, and the reverse is also true. Check each requirement separately. Our guide to citizenship tests vs language tests explains the difference.

How to check your own situation

Find your country on our countries page. Each available country lists who must take the test and who is exempt, with a link to the official source.

France and the Netherlands

France: the examen civique (from 1 January 2026) is required for naturalisation by decree and for a first multi-year or 10-year residence card. Renewals of cards you already hold are exempt, as are beneficiaries of international protection; nationals covered by certain bilateral agreements have their own rules. There is no age exemption written into the exam itself, so check Service-Public.fr for your permit. Netherlands: whether you must take KNM and the other integration exams is set out in your personal integration plan and in Mijn Inburgering. Exemptions include certain Dutch diplomas, a medical exemption confirmed by a doctor designated by DUO, and long residence with evident integration. Asylum status holders may have their first two attempts at each exam free.

How to request an exemption

1. Check the official rules for your country (linked on each of our country pages) before you book or pay for a test.
2. Gather evidence: proof of age is usually enough for age exemptions; medical exemptions need a report from a qualified professional on the form or in the format the authority specifies (Form N-648 in the US; a letter or form from a doctor in the UK and the Netherlands).
3. Submit the evidence with the application itself, not separately. The authority decides; an incomplete medical form is the most common reason an exemption is refused.
4. If you are refused, you can usually still take the test, so keep practising while you wait for a decision.