🔎 Recap
No time to read it all? Here’s what you need to know about the planned APL reform for international students:
What’s changing: The government plans to end APL housing aid for non-scholarship students from outside the EU/EEA starting July 1, 2026.
Who remains eligible?: Students from the EU/EEA and scholarship holders, regardless of nationality.
Why this reform?: The government aims to reduce public spending and “better target” financial aid.
When?: The 2026 Finance Bill has not yet been voted on, so the current rules still apply.
Introduction
For years, APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) has been a key source of support for thousands of international students living in France.
But the 2026 Finance Bill, presented in the autumn, could change that.
👉 This annual budget law defines France’s financial priorities — and it includes a proposal to end APL eligibility for non-scholarship students from outside the EU/EEA.
If passed, the measure could impact more than 300,000 international students.
Why this measure?
The government justifies this reform as a way to “better target public aid” and reduce spending in a tight budget context. The bill also proposes to freeze APL amounts at their 2025 level, with no inflation adjustment.
According to official estimates, these changes could save over €100 million starting in 2026.
But for the students affected, the impact would be significant — APL usually represents between €100 and €250 per month, a crucial amount for balancing a student budget in France.
Who would be affected?
The measure would apply to:
• Students from outside the European Union / EEA / Switzerland
• Non-scholarship holders, even if they have a VLS-TS long-stay visa, which currently gives access to APL
👉 European, Swiss, and scholarship students would remain eligible.
And as long as the law hasn’t been passed, the current rules still apply.
You can still apply for APL if you meet the usual conditions (eligible housing, modest income, valid residence permit, etc.).
When would the reform take effect?
The proposed start date is July 1, 2026.
The bill still needs to be debated and voted on in Parliament, and several amendments could change or even remove the measure. Some lawmakers have already suggested scrapping it entirely before the final vote.
👉 In short: nothing is final yet, but it’s important to stay informed in the coming months.
What you can do right now
• Check your current eligibility: You can still receive APL until the law officially changes.
• Plan your 2026 budget: Especially if you’re from outside the EU and don’t receive a scholarship.
• Stay updated: Study in France will update this article as soon as an official decision is made 😉
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🔎 Sources :
To learn more about this reform and follow its progress:
• French Ministry of Higher Education and Research – Housing aid for international students: the government adjusts eligibility criteria
• French National Assembly – Finance Bill for 2026 (official legislative file)
• Service-Public.fr – Housing benefits (APL, ALS, ALF)
• CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) – Housing aid
👉 Further reading
A petition has been launched to call for the continuation of APL housing aid for all international students. You can read or sign it here: No to the end of APL for international students
