Accommodation for International students

The security deposit is an expense incurred at the beginning of the rental period, equivalent to 1 or 2 times your monthly rent. You pay it once when you move into the accommodation. It will be returned to you when you leave the property if nothing has been damaged and if all your rent has been paid. The security deposit is mandatory, even if you are staying in Crous accommodation.

When you move into a property, whatever it may be (residence, flat-share, studio, etc.), you expose yourself to a number of risks: damage of all kinds, water damage, fire, theft, etc. Home insurance is a contract that enables you to cover these rental risks.
Home insurance is compulsory and costs an average of €4/month (the cost varies according to the insurance options selected). You must take out this insurance before moving into your home.

A guarantor is a natural or legal person who agrees to pay your rent in the event of non-payment. The guarantor must have sufficient income to pay his or her expenses as well as yours. If you don't have a guarantor in France, you have 2 options:

• Visale scheme: free and accessible to French and international students. This scheme is accepted by most student residences and some landlords. Visale is not open to minors or students over 30.
• Private schemes: You must pay a minimum of €150 per year but they are open to all.

Exemples of private guarantors: Garantme, Cautioneo

• Rental charges:

Rental charges cover the day-to-day use of the property, as well as common area maintenance charges. The rent includes some charges, but not all (heating, hot water, electricity, etc.). You need to find out in advance how much you'll actually be paying each month. Some utilities can be very expensive (especially heating in winter), so it's sometimes better to pay a little more for a property with low-cost utilities.
 

• Household supplies :

Take a furnished apartment. They're a little more expensive than unfurnished ones, but you won't have to spend a lot of money when you arrive. Furnished student accommodation generally includes a bed, a table, a chair and a fridge.
Please note that most residences, including the Crous, do not have blankets, sheets, towels or dishes. You'll need to buy them on arrival. Some associations offer some of these supplies free of charge, but they are rare. Expect to spend at least €80 on sheets, blankets, towels and crockery when you arrive.

Personalised housing aid (APL) is financial assistance designed to reduce your rent. It is granted for your principal residence in France, and only if your accommodation meets certain criteria of decency and minimum occupancy conditions. Your landlord must inform you that the property is "conventionné".

Who is eligible? 
From 1 July 2026, international students from outside the European Union who do not receive a grant will no longer be eligible for APL. Students receiving grants, regardless of their nationality, as well as all students from the European Union, will remain fully eligible for APL.
source: Ministry of Higher Education and Research website

How is the APL paid out?
As a general rule, the APL is paid directly to the landlord, who deducts it from the rent due.
The APL is due from the 1st day following the month of your application. You will therefore not receive any assistance for the first month of your stay. Payment is made every 5th day of the month.
Example: If you move in on October 15, your entitlement will be opened in November and the 1st payment will be made on December 5.

Processing times for your APL application vary from 1 to 3 months. You may therefore have to pay your rent in full for the first 3 months. Entitlement to the APL is not retroactive. Only the date on which you submit your application is taken into account. We therefore advise you to submit your APL application as soon as you move in.
Example 1: You move in on September 5 and submit your application in September. Your application will be processed in November, and you will receive your October and November subsidies in December (September is not taken into account).
Example 2: You move in on September 5 and apply in December. Your entitlement will open in December, but you will not be reimbursed for previous months (September, October, November).