Student Life and Support in France
France offers a comprehensive support system for international students, designed to facilitate integration and ensure a stable living environment. This framework includes financial subsidies for housing, universal healthcare access, and various institutional services managed through the Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires (CROUS).
Before arriving, students must pay the Contribution à la Vie Étudiante et de Campus (CVEC). For the 2025/2026 academic year, this mandatory fee is approximately 103 EUR ($108 USD, Jan 2026). This contribution funds student services, health prevention, and cultural activities on campus.
Housing and Financial Assistance
Finding accommodation is a primary concern for international students. Options include CROUS university residences, private student residences, and independent apartments. Most students in France, regardless of nationality, are eligible for financial housing aid provided by the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF).
The APL Subsidy
The Aide Personnalisée au Logement (APL) is a monthly subsidy paid to help cover rent costs. The amount depends on the student’s income, the type of housing, and the city. On average, students may receive between 100 EUR ($105 USD, Jan 2026) and 200 EUR ($210 USD, Jan 2026) per month. Applications are submitted online via the CAF website after the rental contract is signed and the student has moved in.
Rental Guarantees
To rent a flat in France, a "garant" (guarantor) is usually required. For students without a family member residing in France, the Visale scheme acts as a free state-sponsored guarantor. This service is available to most international students aged 18 to 30. Information can be found at Visale.fr.
Healthcare and Insurance
France provides universal healthcare access to international students. Registration with the French social security system (l'Assurance Maladie) is mandatory and free of charge. This entitles students to the reimbursement of a portion of their medical expenses, typically 70% of GP visits and varying percentages for prescriptions and hospitalizations.
Registration Process
Non-European students must register on the dedicated portal etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr after arriving in France and obtaining their school certificate (certificat de scolarité). European students usually use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Complementary Insurance
To cover the remaining 30% of medical costs not paid by the state, many students opt for a mutuelle (supplementary health insurance). Basic student mutuelle plans start at approximately 20 EUR ($21 USD, Jan 2026) per month. This is highly recommended for dental and optical care, which have lower reimbursement rates from the state system.
Working While Studying
International students in France are legally permitted to work part-time to supplement their income. The rules vary slightly based on the student's visa type.
Legal Work Limits
- General Rule: Students are permitted to work up to 964 hours per year, which represents 60% of a full-time position.
- Minimum Wage: The Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance (SMIC) is the legal minimum. As of early 2025, the gross hourly rate is approximately 11.88 EUR ($12.47 USD, Jan 2026). After social contributions, the net take-home pay is roughly 9.40 EUR ($9.87 USD, Jan 2026) per hour.
- Exceptions: Non-EU students with a temporary "VLS-TS" visa must have their visa validated by the OFII (or online) before they can begin working. Algerian students fall under different bilateral agreements and may require a temporary work permit (APT).
Student Discounts and Daily Life
Holding a student card (Carte d'Étudiant) provides significant reductions in daily expenses. These benefits are standardized across the country but may vary slightly by region.
Food and Dining
The CROUS operates university restaurants (Resto U) where students can purchase a complete three-course meal for a subsidized price. The standard rate is 3.30 EUR ($3.47 USD, Jan 2026), while students in verified financial difficulty may qualify for the 1.00 EUR ($1.05 USD, Jan 2026) meal rate.
Transportation and Culture
- Public Transport: Most French cities offer student passes. In Paris, the Imagine R pass allows unlimited travel for approximately 380 EUR ($399 USD, Jan 2026) per year.
- Culture: Students under 26 residing in the EU (including international students with long-stay visas) get free access to national museums and monuments, such as the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles.
- Leisure: Cinemas, theaters, and sports clubs frequently offer "étudiant" rates, often 20% to 50% lower than standard prices.