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Secularism (laïcité) in public services
The principle of secularism (laïcité) applies in public services. The people who work there cannot show their religious, political or philosophical convictions.
Key points of the sheet
- This rule also applies to companies or associations that have a public service mission.
- Opinions and beliefs belong to private life. They must not be imposed on others. This makes it possible to treat users fairly.
- Neutrality also applies to the buildings of public services. No religious, political or philosophical sign or emblem may be displayed in offices, at counters or in common areas.
- Neutrality is not required of users. So they can wear a sign of religious belonging.
- This freedom is sometimes limited, on an occasional basis. For example, a person wearing a veil must remove it for a moment for an identity check when a passport is handed over.
- You cannot ask for the public service to be adapted in the name of a religion. This also applies to users.
- The Charter of secularism in public services (Charte de la laïcité dans les services publics) recalls rights and duties. It is meant for users and for the people who work in these services.
Words to know
- neutrality (neutralité)
- People who work in public services cannot show their convictions. Neutrality is not required of users.
- users (usagers)
- They are the people who go to a public service; they can wear a religious sign.
- public service mission (mission de service public)
- Companies or associations can have this mission; their staff cannot show their convictions.
- sign of religious belonging (signe d'appartenance religieuse)
- A user can wear it, but this freedom is sometimes limited. For example, a person wearing a veil must remove it for a moment for an identity check when a passport is handed over.
- Charter of secularism in public services (Charte de la laïcité dans les services publics)
- It is a document that recalls the rights and duties for respecting secularism in public services.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Which document recalls the rights and duties linked to secularism in public services?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel document rappelle les droits et devoirs liés à la laïcité dans les services publics ?
This document is called the Charter of secularism in public services.
Can an employee of an association with a public service mission show their convictions?
In French, the language of the exam: Un salarié d'une association qui a une mission de service public peut-il montrer ses convictions ?
People who work in an association with a public service mission cannot show their convictions.
Why do public employees not show their convictions?
In French, the language of the exam: Pourquoi les agents publics ne montrent-ils pas leurs convictions ?
Convictions must not be imposed on others. This makes it possible to treat users fairly.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- What can a user of a public service do in a town hall?
- Who must respect religious neutrality in a prefecture?
More in this topic (Secularism (laïcité))
- Proselytism (prosélytisme)
- The definition of secularism (laïcité) (2/2)
- The history of secularism (laïcité)
Source
Sheet “La laïcité dans les services publics” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.