Student Accommodation in France 2027
Housing types, rents by city, move-in costs, the 2026 CAF housing aid change, and a scam checklist for students moving to France.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
3 min read
Updated Oct 6, 2026
Housing is the biggest line in any French student budget and the hardest thing to sort out from abroad. This page covers the four main housing types, typical rents by city, what you pay when you move in, the 2026 change to CAF housing aid, and a quick scam check.
Housing types
About €350 a month on average; €450 in Paris
Pros: Cheapest option; Near campus; Housing aid possible if you qualify.
Cons: Limited spots; Tiny rooms (often 9 m²); Long waits.
€350–700 a month (estimate)
Pros: Social; Learn French; More space.
Cons: Need a guarantor (garant); Competitive; Language barrier.
€500–1,300 a month (estimate)
Pros: Privacy; Independence; Housing aid possible if you qualify.
Cons: Expensive; Need a guarantor (garant); Competitive.
€300–600 a month (estimate)
Pros: All-inclusive; No guarantor needed; Meals.
Cons: Age limit; Curfews; Shared bathrooms.
CROUS rents from Campus France; other price ranges are ScholarshipUnion estimates.
Getting a CROUS room
CROUS residences are government-subsidised and the cheapest way to live in France, with priority for students on social grants. Rooms go first to students who filed a Dossier Social Étudiant (DSE) on messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr. International students do not use the DSE for housing: for 2026–27, remaining rooms opened to all students on trouverunlogement.lescrous.fr from 7 July 2026 (etudiant.gouv.fr). Dates for 2027–28 are not published yet; expect a similar calendar and confirm on the CROUS sites. Eiffel scholars may be offered a room through Campus France — see our Campus France housing guide.
Rent by city
Typical monthly rent for a student studio or room (estimates):
Paris costs more than twice as much as Lille or Montpellier. Compare the cities in full on Top Cities.
Move-in costs
Expect to pay the first month’s rent plus a security deposit when you sign. Under French rental law the deposit is capped at one month’s rent (excluding charges) for an unfurnished place and two months for a furnished one. Home insurance (assurance habitation) is required for rentals. For a €550 room, a typical move-in bill looks like this (estimate):
Guarantors and Visale
Most landlords ask for a garant, a French resident who pledges to pay if you cannot. International students rarely have one, so use Visale, the free state-backed rental guarantee for students, which also works for university residences. Paid guarantor services exist when Visale does not cover you.
CAF housing aid after the 2026 change
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students on a student permit can now receive APL housing aid only if they hold a means-tested social grant (CROUS or an equivalent regional grant), have a job, or are on an apprenticeship or professionalisation contract. Before 1 July 2026 they could claim without these conditions. The rule applies to both CAF and MSA.
EU, EEA and Swiss students keep their rights. If you are a non-EU student without one of these statuses, budget for your full rent. Read the details, including whether Eiffel or BGF scholars qualify, in our CAF housing aid guide. Source: Service-Public.fr (verified 1 July 2026).
Scam checklist
Tick every warning sign that applies to the listing you are looking at. Two or more flags means walk away.
No red flags ticked so far.
Investigate further before you pay anything.
Do NOT send money.