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Countries · Student guide

France

Complete guide for international students in France: bureaucracy, housing, budget, health, work, and finance.

Updated on Jul 28, 2026

Cost of living
Medium–high

Typical spending band for a student

Language
French

Main language to handle day to day

Currency
EUR

Local currency for banking and payments

Visas
Easy

Typical visa/permit process complexity

Overview

In France the leap is not just Paris: CAF, social security, deposits and administrative times change a lot between Île-de-France and regional university cities. Those who arrive with a complete dossier receive discounts; those who improvise remain for months without accommodation or social number.

What really changes here

  • Numéro étudiant + inscription administrative: basis for everything else
  • CAF (housing aid): also possible for students, but requires a contract and patience
  • Insurance/PUMA and Vitale cards after registration
  • Rental: dossier (guarant, payslips, garants) in great demand in Paris
  • Transportation: I sail to Paris; SNCF jeune elsewhere — car not necessary
  • Payments: cards everywhere; French RIB for rent

Ideal if…

  • Those who study in French or international programs large campuses
  • Students with a French guarantor or Visale service
  • Medium cities (Lille, Toulouse, Rennes, Strasbourg) for low costs
  • Those who exploit CROUS canteens and associative culture

Harder if…

  • Erasmus budget only without buffer for Paris
  • No guarantor and no visa for downtown studio apartment
  • You expect administrative responses in 48 hours
  • You don't speak French for contracts and CAF

Arrival checklist

First 7 days

  1. Visa/permit validation if non-EU (OFII within deadlines)
  2. University registration + attestation
  3. Open account with French RIB
  4. Accommodation with contract (CROUS or private)
  5. Student Social Security Registration
  6. French SIM; save 112 / 15 samu
  7. Create CAF account if eligible
Mistakes to avoid
  • Signing bail without understanding charges et état des lieux
  • Do not open CAF files due to delays
  • Working beyond student permitted hours
  • Skip OFII after non-EU arrival

City guides

Cities in France

Neighborhoods, rent, universities, transport and safety: everything you need to choose where to move.

Parigi
  • from 680 EURroom/month
  • 5universities
  • 8neighborhoods

Capital of France and one of the world's great metropolises, Paris is a huge university center (Sorbonne, Paris Cité, Sciences Po and dozens of grandes écoles) and a leading economic and cultural engine. Compact and very dense, it has one of the best metro and RER networks in the world and a legendary cultural and nightlife. The downside is the cost of living: very high rents for small apartments and a very tough real estate market (you need a guarantor and a solid dossier). Many students and workers live in the suburbs (banlieue) connected by the RER.

Open city guideLione
  • from 430 EURroom/month
  • 5universities
  • 8neighborhoods

Third city in France and capital of gastronomy, Lyon is located at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone, with a historic center that is a UNESCO heritage site. It is one of the largest university centers in the country (Lyon 1, 2, 3, ENS, INSA, emlyon) and a solid economic engine (biotech in Gerland, tertiary in Part-Dieu). It offers an excellent quality of life at much lower costs than Paris, with the Alps and Geneva one hour away and Paris two hours by TGV. Compact and well connected, it is a favorite destination for students and young professionals.

Open city guideTolosa
  • from 380 EURroom/month
  • 5universities
  • 8neighborhoods

Fourth city in France and capital of Occitania, Toulouse - the "Ville Rose" of its pink bricks - is the European capital of aerospace (Airbus, ATR, CNES, Cité de l'Espace) and one of the largest university centers in the country, with around 130,000 students. Crossed by the Garonne and the Canal du Midi (UNESCO heritage), it is sunny, young and lively, with a strong culture of rugby and partying. The cost of living is among the lowest of large French cities, with affordable rent and transportation and an excellent quality of life in the South of France.

Open city guideMarsiglia
  • from 380 EURroom/month
  • 5universities
  • 8neighborhoods

Second city in France and large port in the Mediterranean, Marseille is sunny, popular and multicultural, with an authentic and rebellious soul. It is home to Aix-Marseille Université, the largest university in France by number of students, and overlooks the sea and the Calanques. The cost of living is among the lowest in large French cities - affordable rent, food and transport - and young people up to 25 travel for free on public transport. The reputation for safety is lower and varies a lot from neighborhood to neighborhood: being well informed about the area is essential.

Open city guide
Move checklist Plan documents and deadlines step by step

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