APL Reform 2026: What Changes for International Students ?
As of July 1, 2026, the rules governing the APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement — Personalised Housing Assistance) have changed for some international students in France. From now on, students who are nationals of countries outside the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland can no longer benefit from this housing allowance, except in certain specific cases provided for by the reform.
This reform marks a significant turning point for thousands of international students who relied on the housing aid paid by the CAF to cover part of their rent. It also raises many questions: who is actually affected? Are there exceptions? What solutions remain available to fund student housing in France?
In this article, we take stock of the new APL eligibility rules, the consequences of this law, the debates it has sparked, and the alternatives available to students who lose this aid.
What Is the APL and Why Does It Matter for Student Life?
The Aide Personnalisée au Logement is a monthly allowance paid by the Caisse d’Allocations Familiales. It is designed for tenants with limited income. Its purpose is to directly reduce the amount of rent owed. For many, it is a key pillar of financial stability throughout their years of study.
Depending on the geographical area and personal circumstances, this allowance represents between 100 and 250 euros per month. In cities like Paris, Lyon, or Bordeaux, rents reach high levels. Such a sum can therefore make a considerable difference to an already tight budget.
In practice, the benefit is in most cases paid directly to the landlord. The tenant then only pays the difference between the total rent and the amount covered. It is however possible to request to receive it personally, when setting up the application. For a better understanding of how this works, read our dedicated article: How to Apply for Housing Assistance (APL) in France
The APL Reform 2026: Origins, Context and Government Objectives
Article 67 of the Finance Act: What Has Changed
The change originates from the Finance Act for 2026, adopted by Parliament on February 2, 2026. It is Article 67 that restricts access to the allowance. It excludes a specific category: non-EU young people who do not hold a means-tested scholarship.
In a context of strong budgetary pressure, the executive set an objective of controlling public spending. The measure also includes a freeze of amounts at the 2025 level, with no automatic adjustment for inflation. According to official estimates, these measures could save more than 100 million euros this year.
The stated philosophy aims at better targeting the most vulnerable individuals, namely scholarship holders. It thus represents a shift from a universal model of welcoming international students to a selective model. Henceforth, financial capacity and scholarship status determine access to the scheme.
The Constitutional Council’s Ruling and Its Interpretive Reservation
On February 19, 2026, the Constitutional Council examined the text in its decision No. 2026-901 DC. The Sages did not strike down the removal of the scheme for non-scholarship extra-EU nationals. They did however issue an important interpretive reservation.
Indeed, the government is required to set eligibility criteria for higher education scholarships in compliance with constitutional requirements. These stem from the Preamble of 1946. They guarantee the conditions necessary for the development of each person as well as material protection.
This reservation is crucial. It opens the door to challenges before the administrative court if the implementing decree does not allow people in precarious situations to access means-tested scholarships. Decree No. 2026-552 of June 27, 2026 then came to specify the concrete modalities. The reform thus became effective on July 1st.
Who Is Directly Affected by the Removal of the Allowance?
Non-Scholarship Extra-EU Nationals
The restriction applies as of July 1, 2026 to people meeting both of the following conditions:
- Being a national of a country outside the European Union, outside the European Economic Area, and outside Switzerland;
- Not holding a means-tested higher education scholarship paid by the CROUS.
This concerns young people from Africa (Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia…), Asia, or the Americas. More generally, all nationals of countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland are affected, as long as they do not receive a scholarship.
Out of approximately 320,000 people concerned on French territory, only 2 to 3% meet the criteria for a means-tested scholarship. In other words, more than 300,000 young people risk losing this monthly aid. That is a loss of 100 to 250 euros — a sum far from trivial.
Exception: People in Professional Activity
The law provides for important exceptions. Even without a scholarship and without European nationality, you can retain the benefit of this aid if you are in one of these situations:
- Holder of an apprenticeship contract;
- Holder of a professionalisation contract;
- Employee carrying out a regular professional activity.
In these cases, you are treated as a scholarship holder. You therefore remain within the standard access rules for the scheme.
Who Retains the Right to the Allowance After July 1, 2026?
Nationals of the European Union, EEA, and Switzerland
By virtue of the principle of free movement, people originally from a member country of the European Union are not affected by this reform. The same applies to nationals of the European Economic Area. Switzerland also benefits from a special equivalent status.
These groups therefore retain their full rights. They benefit from the same conditions as French nationals, without any additional nationality criterion.
Scholarship Holders, Regardless of Origin
An extra-EU national holding a means-tested higher education scholarship paid by the CROUS retains their rights. The scholarship condition thus takes precedence over geographical origin.
Important note: to access such a scholarship, one must in principle be fiscally domiciled in France for at least two years. This requirement effectively excludes the vast majority of first-time arrivals. The exit route is therefore almost inaccessible in practice.
Refugees, Stateless Persons and Specific Cases
In accordance with the provisions of the implementing decree, statutory refugees and stateless persons retain their rights. Certain spouses of non-European nationals may also benefit from specific provisions. This depends on their individual administrative situation.
Summary: Who Can Still Receive Housing Aid in 2026?
| Profile | Eligible after July 1, 2026? |
|---|---|
| French national | ✅ Yes |
| EU / EEA / Swiss national | ✅ Yes |
| Extra-EU CROUS scholarship holder | ✅ Yes |
| Extra-EU apprenticeship holder | ✅ Yes |
| Extra-EU employee | ✅ Yes |
| Statutory refugee / stateless person | ✅ Yes |
| Extra-EU non-scholarship holder without activity | ❌ No |
Conditions and Steps to Retain or Obtain the Aid in 2026
General Criteria That Remain Unchanged
Regardless of your status, the basic conditions still apply:
- The accommodation must be approved (conventionné), meaning it is covered by an agreement between the landlord and the State;
- It must constitute your main residence, occupied for at least eight months per year;
- You must hold a valid residence permit (long-stay visa, resident card…);
- Your income must remain below the ceilings set by the Caisse.
The application is made online at caf.fr as soon as you move in. You will need to provide a rent certificate, a bank account details form (RIB), and a copy of your residence permit. You will also need to attach supporting documents for your situation: scholarship certificate, apprenticeship contract, or pay slips as applicable.
How to Access a Means-Tested Scholarship as an International Student?
For those who wish to maintain their rights through a scholarship, the process goes through the CROUS on the platform messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr. The criteria taken into account are family situation, income, and academic background.
However, the requirement of fiscal domiciliation in France for at least two years makes this route inaccessible for new arrivals. Nevertheless, the Constitutional Council’s reservation requires the government to make this criterion accessible to people in precarious situations. A regulatory development is therefore worth monitoring.
Alternatives for Those Who Lose Access to the Scheme
Losing this aid does not mean being left without any support. Several other schemes remain indeed accessible.
The Visale Guarantee from Action Logement
The Visale guarantee, offered free of charge by Action Logement at visale.fr, does not replace the monthly allowance. However, it facilitates access to housing by acting as a guarantor with the landlord. For those who have no family in France, this is often the main barrier to overcome. This service is free and fully accessible online.
Emergency Aid and 1-Euro CROUS Meals
The CROUS provides one-off assistance for people in financial difficulty. These schemes are not subject to strict conditions of origin. Furthermore, since May 1, 2026, CROUS meals at 1 euro are accessible to all. This measure applies regardless of nationality.
Complementary Regional Aid
Some regions offer complementary housing assistance schemes. This is notably the case in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This aid is sometimes available without conditions on the duration of residence in France. Ask directly at your regional council or your institution.
The Eiffel Scholarship and Bilateral Funding
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, managed by Campus France, targets people at Master’s or PhD level. It can cover part of the living costs. Some countries also offer bilateral scholarships through their embassies in Paris. This is notably the case for Morocco, Senegal, or Algeria. These options are worth exploring before arriving in France.
The ALS: A Separate Aid Not to Overlook
The Allocation de Logement Sociale (ALS) is a scheme different from the personalised housing aid. The Caisse pays it to people who do not meet the conditions for the personalised aid. The 2026 reform specifically concerns the latter. Therefore, check with your Caisse whether you are eligible for the ALS, depending on your situation and type of residence.
Social and Financial Impact: What the Reform Concretely Changes
A Budget Shock for Already Vulnerable People
According to the Fondation pour le logement des défavorisés, the monthly loss is between 150 and 250 euros. For many, this scheme was the only financial aid accessible on French territory. The other safety nets were indeed closed to them.
Furthermore, according to the Observatoire de la vie étudiante (OVE), 62% of international students had used food aid or would have needed it. The removal of the scheme therefore risks aggravating already real precarity. These same people have also been subject since 2019 to differentiated tuition fees: nearly 3,000 € for a bachelor’s year and 4,000 € for a Master’s.
To better anticipate expenses depending on the city chosen, check out our practical guides: Student Life in Marseille: Budget, Neighborhoods and Tips and Students: how to find accommodation in Paris?. You will find details on rents, transport, and cost of living in the main university cities.
Already Very Real Difficulties Accessing the Rental Market
This change adds to pre-existing difficulties in accessing rental accommodation. Without a guarantor in France and without a permanent contract, applications are often rejected by cautious landlords. Furnished rentals remain a particularly suitable option for these profiles. More flexible, they allow for quick move-in with short or medium-term leases. For those considering flat-sharing, our article explains the different legal structures: Shared accommodation in Paris: how does it work?
Timeline: Key Dates to Remember
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 2, 2026 | Adoption of the Finance Act by Parliament |
| February 19, 2026 | Constitutional Council decision No. 2026-901 DC — validated with reservation |
| June 27, 2026 | Publication of Decree No. 2026-552 specifying the implementation modalities |
| July 1, 2026 | Entry into force of the restriction for non-scholarship extra-EU nationals |
What to Do in Practice If You Are Affected?
Check your scholarship status. Contact your local CROUS. A regulatory development linked to the constitutional reservation could open new rights.
Explore the ALS. This separate scheme is worth looking into with your Caisse. Depending on your housing and situation, you may indeed be eligible.
Revise your budget. A loss of 100 to 250 euros per month is significant. Consider flat-sharing or regional aid. The CROUS also provides one-off emergency support for difficult cases.
Use the Visale guarantee. If you are looking for an apartment, this free service from Action Logement can reassure landlords. It thus facilitates the acceptance of your application.
Consult a specialist. If you have doubts about your rights or wish to challenge a decision by the Caisse, associations like the GISTI are available. Lawyers specialising in the rights of foreign nationals can also support you.
To find housing suited to your situation, browse our selection of furnished apartments available in France on Lodgis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Moroccan non-scholarship student still receive this aid after July 2026? No, unless they carry out a professional activity, are on an apprenticeship, or hold a professionalisation contract. Without one of these conditions, access to the scheme has been closed since July 1st.
Does an apprentice from outside the EU retain their rights? Yes. The law treats holders of an apprenticeship or professionalisation contract as scholarship holders. The right is therefore maintained.
Are European nationals affected? No. People originally from the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland are not affected. They retain their rights in full.
Can the removal be challenged? Yes. The Constitutional Council’s interpretive reservation opens avenues for appeal. Specialised associations such as the GISTI support affected individuals in their proceedings.
Conclusion: A Reform with Major Consequences for International Students
The July 2026 reform marks an important break in the policy of welcoming people who come to study in France from countries outside the EU. By excluding non-scholarship extra-EU nationals from the scheme, it aggravates an already very real precarity. These groups also face high tuition fees and a difficult rental market.
For nationals of the European Union, Switzerland, and scholarship holders regardless of nationality, nothing changes. For others, it is essential to plan ahead. It is necessary to explore the alternatives available: CROUS scholarship, Visale guarantee, regional aid, or flexible furnished rentals. It is also important to monitor regulatory developments linked to the constitutional reservation.
To facilitate your settlement and your search for housing in France, Lodgis offers more than 10,000 furnished apartments in the main French university cities: Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nantes, Toulouse, Strasbourg and many others.
