Introduction
Finding student housing in France is already quite a challenge. Financing it? That’s a whole different story. With rent prices steadily rising in major cities and a tight rental market, things aren’t exactly easy for French and international students alike.
Thankfully, France offers housing assistance to help ease the burden. Managed by the CAF, this financial support can cover part of your rent and help reduce your monthly expenses.
You’ve probably heard people refer to it as “APL.” In practice, depending on your accommodation, it may be APL or ALS. The difference simply depends on the type of housing you’re renting — but for you, the calculation method remains the same.
Good news: as an international student, you may still qualify — provided you meet certain criteria. However, eligibility rules have evolved following the adoption of the 2026 budget.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: what housing assistance is, who can apply, how much you might receive, and how to submit your application.
Ready? Let’s dive in 😊
What Is Housing Assistance, and Who Can Benefit?
CAF and Housing Assistance
APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) is a monthly benefit paid by the CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales).
If your accommodation does not fall under a government housing agreement, you may still qualify for housing assistance — in that case, it is generally called ALS (Allocation de Logement Sociale).
👉 In both situations, the calculation is based on the same criteria: your income, your rent, and your personal circumstances.
That’s why, in everyday conversation, most students simply say “APL,” even though technically it may be APL or ALS depending on the type of housing.
What Are the Eligibility Conditions?
To qualify for housing aid (APL or ALS), you need to meet several criteria.
Type of accommodation: your housing can be conventioned or not, but it must be your main residence in France.
Status: you must be a tenant or co-tenant with a lease in your name.
Financial situation: your income must be modest (which is often the case for students).
Age: there is no specific age limit for students.
Nationality:
- If you are from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland: You remain eligible for housing assistance as long as you meet the general conditions (housing, income, lease in your name, etc.). You will need to provide the usual documents requested by the CAF, such as proof of identity, proof of enrollment in a higher education institution, and documents related to your accommodation.
- If you are from a country outside the EU/EEA: Since the adoption of the 2026 budget, having a valid residence permit is no longer enough. 👉 Since July 1, 2026, a non-EU/EEA student holding a residence permit for study purposes qualifies for housing assistance in only three cases: they receive a needs-based scholarship (a CROUS grant, or a regional health and social care grant aligned with the same criteria), they are in paid work, or they hold an apprenticeship or professionalization contract. A scholarship paid by a foreign government or by an international organization does not count. 👉 Outside those three cases, you are no longer eligible, even if you hold a validated VLS-TS visa.
How Much Can You Receive Per Month?
The amount of housing aid depends on several factors:
- Location: Higher subsidies for accommodations in Paris and major cities.
- Income: If you have little or no income, the amount will be higher.
- Type of accommodation: studio, shared flat, or university residence. The benefit is higher if you are paying the rent alone. In shared housing, the amount is usually lower.
For a more accurate estimate, we recommend using the CAF simulation tool (available in French only).
How to Apply for Housing Aid
Steps to Submit Your Application
Applying for APL (or ALS) can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not comfortable with French. But don’t worry — here’s how it works, step by step:
- Register on the CAF website: Create an account to access your personal online space.
- Prepare your documents: Make sure everything is up to date (see the list below).
- Complete the online form: Provide details about your accommodation, your income, and your personal information.
- Track your application: Log in regularly to your CAF account to check the progress of your file.
💡 Tip: The CAF offers online tutorials to guide you through each step (we mention them further below).
Documents You'll Need
To avoid back-and-forth with the CAF, make sure you have:
- A valid proof of identity
- Proof of enrollment in a higher education institution (certificate of enrollment or student card)
- A valid residence permit if you are from outside the EU/EEA
- A copy of your European Health Insurance Card if you are from the EU
- A signed lease agreement in your name
- A rent certificate (official CAF document) signed by your landlord or your student residence
- A French bank account (IBAN)
Processing Times and Application Follow-Up
- Processing time: Expect around 3 to 6 weeks depending on the time of year for your file to be reviewed. It varies because some periods are busier than others, such as back-to-school season (July–September and December–January).
- First payment: Paid retroactively, starting from the month after you apply.
If your application is delayed, you can contact the CAF through their helpline or via the online contact form in your account 😉
Practical Resources for International Students
CAF Multilingual Tutorials
CAF provides translated guides to help international students complete their applications. These are particularly useful if French isn’t your first language.
You can find them on the International Student Hub 😉
EasyAPL: A Service Dedicated to International Students
If you’re worried about making mistakes or simply want to save time, EasyAPL is a paid platform that manages your application from start to finish. A practical option, especially for non-French speakers.
- Convenient: 100% online process, available in French and English.
- Price: €80 for full management of your application.
- Guarantee: 100% satisfaction, EasyAPL refunds the service fee if you are not eligible for housing aid.
“Welcome Weeks” on Campus
Many universities and student associations (like ESN France) organize events to help students navigate administrative tasks. Use these opportunities to ask all your APL-related questions.
Conclusion
Receiving housing aid can make a real difference to your monthly budget. Even if the administrative process may seem complex, it’s absolutely worth it.
Make the most of the resources provided by the CAF and the support available on your campus to submit your application as soon as you’ve signed your lease. And don’t forget to inform the CAF when you move out 😉
Sources
- service-public.gouv.fr (information sheet F12006, checked on 1 July 2026) - a non-EU/EEA student holding a residence permit for study purposes can receive APL in only one of three cases: a needs-based scholarship, paid work, or an apprenticeship or professionalization contract - https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F12006
- service-public.gouv.fr (news item A18981, published on 1 July 2026) - the restriction on housing aid for non-EU students took effect on 1 July 2026, with a reference to the decree published in the Journal officiel on 28 June 2026 - https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A18981
- CAF (news item of 3 July 2026) - scholarships taken into account: grants paid by the CROUS and certain regional grants in the health and social care fields; students in paid work or self-employment and holders of an apprenticeship or professionalization contract remain eligible - https://www.caf.fr/allocataires/actualites/actualites-nationales/apl-ce-qui-change-pour-certains-etudiants-partir-du-1er-juillet-2026
- Decree no. 2026-552 of 27 June 2026 (Legifrance) - the text setting the conditions of access to housing benefits for non-EU international students, cited by both official news items above - https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr
