Welcome students to France.
Moving to France comes with many bureaucratic challenges, but you don't have to navigate them alone. We have synthesized all the essential steps for you, from securing your accommodation to obtaining your housing subsidies, so you can focus on what really matters: your studies.
The Roadmap: How to get settled in 6 steps.
1. Find your home: Start with the housing platforms below to secure your studio.
2. Get your Guarantee: If you don't have a French guarantor, use the services listed to get your certificate in 24h.
3. Mandatory Insurance: Once you have your rental, don't forget to get your Assurance Habitation.
4. A French phone number is mandatory for 2 reasons:
- SMS activation codes
French online banks send you a verification code via SMS to confirm that it’s you. Without a +33 number, you can’t complete the account opening.
- Security and 2FA
Once you have your account, all large payments and settings changes require confirmation via SMS. The banking app won’t work without it.
5. Open your Bank Account: Necessary for your rent, salary, and—most importantly—to receive your CAF housing aid.
6. Apply for CAF & CORUS: Once you have a bank account and a rental contract, apply for CAF for your monthly rent subsidy.
7. Public Transport
8. Social Integration - Join student orgs, language cafes, and events to make France feel like home.
First step
Housing
Studapart
Specialized Platform: Studapart is an online platform dedicated exclusively to students looking for accommodation in France.
- Variety of Options: It offers access to a wide range of housing, including apartments in student residences, rooms in private homes, or shared apartments.
-University Partnerships: Many French universities have direct partnerships with Studapart, facilitating the booking process for international students.
- Security and Guarantees: The platform simplifies the rental process by providing support for the rental application (*dossier) and, in some cases, helps students obtain a rental guarantee—a common requirement in France.
- 100% Online Process: It allows users to search, book, and pay rent directly through the platform, which is highly beneficial for students who are not yet in France.
Nexty Studea
Nexity Studea: Student Housing Provider
- Dedicated Student Residences: Nexity Studea manages a large network of fully equipped student residences throughout France, often located near universities and public transport hubs.
- Comprehensive Facilities: Their residences typically include furnished studios with private kitchenettes and bathrooms, along with amenities such as laundry facilities, study areas, and high-speed internet.
- Convenience and Security: The residences often feature secure access, reception services, and sometimes additional benefits like breakfast services or gym access to enhance the student living experience.
- Professional Management: As a major professional player in the French real estate market, they provide a standardized and reliable rental experience for international students.
Yugo
Yugo: Student Housing Provider
- Global Student Living: Yugo is a prominent international student housing provider with a strong presence in France, offering purpose-built student accommodation.
- Amenities and Community: Their residences are designed to support student life by including features such as study spaces, communal areas, and fitness facilities to foster a sense of community among residents.
- Convenient Locations: Yugo focuses on placing their residences near universities and public transportation networks to ensure ease of access for students.
- Student Support: The brand emphasizes not just providing a room, but creating an environment that supports the academic and personal well-being of its student tenants.
Second step
Need a French Guarantor? Get certified in 24h
Visale
VISALE: State-Guaranteed Rental Deposit
- What is it?: Visale is a free service provided by the French state (Action Logement) that acts as a guarantor for your rent.
- Purpose: It reassures landlords by guaranteeing that your rent and utility charges will be paid if you ever fall behind, making it much easier for students to secure housing.
- Eligibility: It is widely accessible to students aged 18 to 30, regardless of their nationality.
-How it works: You apply for a "Visale certificate" online *before signing your lease; once approved, you provide this certificate to your potential landlord.
- Benefits: It eliminates the need for a private guarantor (often difficult for international students to find) and is accepted by many landlords and student residences across France.
Garantme
Garantme: Rental Guarantor Service
- Private Guarantor Service: Unlike Visale, which is a state-funded service, Garantme is a private company that acts as a guarantor for tenants who do not have a French guarantor.
- Purpose: The service is designed to reassure landlords by guaranteeing the payment of rent, charges, and potential property damage, thereby facilitating the rental application process for international students.
- Eligibility: It is open to all students, including those who do not meet the age or nationality requirements for state-funded schemes like Visale.
- How it Works: Tenants apply online to get their "Garantme certificate," which can then be presented to landlords to strengthen their rental application.
- Cost: As it is a private service, there is a fee associated with obtaining the guarantee, which typically depends on the duration of the lease.
Studapart Guarantee
- Financial Security: The Studapart Guarantee acts as a rental guarantor for students who do not have a personal guarantor in France.
- Accessibility: It is designed to assist international students, regardless of their nationality, in securing their rental applications.
- Landlord Reassurance: By providing this guarantee, the service reassures landlords that rent payments are secured, making it easier for students to be accepted for housing.
- Integrated Process: The guarantee is part of the Studapart platform experience, allowing students to manage their housing search and financial requirements in one place.
Third step
Home Insurance
Luko
Home insurance in 2 minutes. Mandatory for your French rental contract.
Heyme
Affordable housing and health insurance tailored for students in France
Fourth step
A French phone number
Free Mobile
Free has a network of "Bornes Free" throughout France, usually in Auchan, Carrefour, Fnac stores, and in Paris metro stations. They are yellow/black machines where you can order a Free SIM
Sosh
Sosh is very popular among young people in France because it is a 100% digital offer and without contractual obligations (sans engagement), which is ideal for students.
Fifth step
French Bank Account(Required for CAF)
In short: the French RIB is the key that unlocks 90% of the bureaucracy in France. Without a local bank account, every step becomes slower, more expensive and full of paper forms. Here's why:
1. Access FranceConnect
FranceConnect is the unique system through which you log in to the state's websites: CAF, impots.gouv, Ameli, etc.
The easiest way to connect is through "bank keys" - that is, your French bank.
2. Rent & Guarantees
Landlords and platforms like Studapart, Yugo, Nexty Studea, CROUS require payment of rent and guarantee only by SEPA transfer.
With a French IBAN, the money arrives instantly and you have automatic proof.
3. CAF assistance
CAF transfers your rent subsidy only to a bank account in France.
You cannot receive the money to a foreign account. Without a RIB, you lose up to €200-300/month.
4. CROUS & Utilities
University tuition, electricity, internet, telephone - all paid by SEPA direct debit.
Companies refuse foreign cards for direct debit. With a French RIB, it's done in 2 minutes online.
BoursoBank
100% online account, 0 euro fees. Best for CAF refunds and student salaries. Get a bonus when you join.
Nickel
Open account in 5 minutes at any "Tabac". No complex proof of address required. Card issued on the spot.
Société Générale FR
Free account for students (18-28 years old). Benefit from BNP Paribas' physical branch network
Sixth step
Apply for CAF & CROUS
CAF
Rental subsidy
To apply for the rental subsidy, CAF, you will need the documents previously downloaded from your French bank account. Make sure you have the account open before starting the procedure!
CROUS
The CROUS portal is the official place to apply for subsidized student accommodation and social grants in France. In short, what you will find there: CROUS accommodation – rooms and studios at a reduced price, between €250-450/month. Applications open on DSE, usually from January to March for the following academic year. Student Social File - DSE – a single online file for scholarship + accommodation. You fill it out once and you are automatically enrolled in both systems. Deadline – usually May 15 for the academic year starting in September. If you miss it, you will be put on the waiting list and your chances will drop significantly. Important to know: places are limited and are given based on family income. If you are not eligible for the scholarship, you can still apply for accommodation, but you will be on the priority list below.
Seventh Step
Integrated Urban Transport
Integrated Urban Transport: Major French cities offer efficient public transport networks, including metro, tram, and bus services, managed by local companies like RATP in Paris.
- Student Discounts: Students can often access significantly reduced monthly rates for public transport by presenting their student ID cards.
- Intercity Travel: The national railway network, SNCF, is the primary means for intercity travel and operates high-speed trains known as TGV.
- Carte Avantage Jeune: Students and young people between the ages of 12 and 27 can purchase this discount card to benefit from lower train fares across France.
- Bicycle Sharing: Many French cities, such as Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux, provide bicycle rental systems for short or long-term use, which are ideal for daily commuting.
Eighth step
Social Integration
Social Integration: Connecting and Making Friends
France is famous for its rich culture, but making friends might take a little effort. Don't be shy! Every step you take to connect will make France feel less like a destination and more like your second home.
Student Associations (BDE - Bureau des Étudiants): This is the best starting point for any student. Each faculty has a BDE that organizes events, trips, and parties, which are perfect for breaking the ice.
Buddy/Mentorship Program: Many French universities offer official "Buddy" or "Parrainage" programs. You will be paired with a local French student who will help you settle into city life and navigate your new university environment.
"Café Polyglotte" Events: In larger cities, you can find informal gatherings where students meet to practice foreign languages. It is an excellent way to meet local French people eager to learn English or other languages, facilitating a genuine cultural exchange.
University Sports (SUAPS): Signing up for sports activities through the university service (SUAPS) is one of the fastest ways to integrate. Interaction here is natural and informal, as it is based on shared activities and teamwork.
The Importance of French (Even at a Basic Level): Although many French people speak English, students who learn a few basic phrases in French are welcomed much more warmly. We highly recommend participating in "FLE" (Français Langue Étrangère) courses, which are offered by most universities.
Living in "Résidence Universitaire" (CROUS): Choosing to live in a student residence is a great way to boost your social life. Sharing common spaces like kitchens and study halls makes it much easier to interact with others compared to living in a private apartment.
