Can you claim French housing benefit (APL) as an international student in Bordeaux? Here are the 2026 rules, the change that affects non-EU non-scholarship students, and how to apply on caf.fr.
Yes, international students can claim APL (aide personnalisée au logement, France's monthly housing benefit) in Bordeaux, but it depends on where you are from. If you are from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you can claim it just like a French student, with or without a scholarship. If you are from outside the EU, a rule that took effect on 1 July 2026 restricts access: without a means-tested scholarship, a job, or an apprenticeship contract, you no longer qualify. In every case the amount is calculated from your rent and income, and the only reliable estimate comes from the official simulator at caf.fr.
First, what are the CAF and the APL?
If you have just arrived in France, two acronyms will follow you around. The CAF (Caisse d'allocations familiales) is the public body that pays out social benefits, including help with rent. The APL (aide personnalisée au logement) is the main monthly housing benefit it pays. If your specific flat does not qualify for APL, you may instead receive the ALS (allocation de logement sociale), which works the same way for you as a tenant. In plain English: this is money the French state pays you every month to help cover your rent, and as a student in Bordeaux you very likely qualify for one of the two.
Many international students never claim it, either because they do not know it exists or because they assume they are not eligible. Often, wrongly.
Why this matters the moment you land in Bordeaux
Rent will be your biggest expense here. A studio in the city centre, near the campus in Talence, or in Pessac typically runs 450–650 € a month. Housing benefit can knock a meaningful chunk off that bill every single month, and it is money you are entitled to. Getting your APL claim in early is one of the smartest first moves you can make.
This guide gives you the up-to-date 2026 rules, a step-by-step application walkthrough, and one warning that saves real money: never trust a specific figure you read on a forum instead of running your own simulation.
Who qualifies as an international student?
The general conditions are the same for everyone. You need:
- A valid residence permit (or to be an EU/EEA/Swiss national, who need none).
- A "decent" home rented in your name, with a lease (bail).
- No family link with your landlord — you cannot claim APL when renting from your parents.
- Modest income, which describes almost every student.
After that, your nationality is the deciding factor. Here is the table to remember:
| Your profile | Eligible for APL/ALS in 2026? | Extra condition |
|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA / Swiss student | Yes | No scholarship requirement, same as a French student |
| Non-EU student with a means-tested scholarship | Yes | Valid student residence permit |
| Non-EU student with a job or apprenticeship/pro contract | Yes | Proof of the work or contract |
| Non-EU student without scholarship, job or contract | No (since 1 July 2026) | No route to eligibility in this case |
This restriction for non-EU students without a scholarship took effect on 1 July 2026 (service-public.gouv.fr). If that is you, do not waste weeks on an application that will be refused — focus on other levers instead: a low-cost Crous (public student housing) room, a free guarantor, or scholarships from your home country.
What decides how much you get?
There is no fixed amount. This is the part most people get wrong. What you receive depends on several combined factors:
- Your rent (up to a ceiling above which the benefit stops rising).
- Your income and that of your household.
- The location — Bordeaux sits in a "high-demand" zone, which feeds into the calculation.
- The type of housing (living alone, shared flat, furnished, Crous residence…).
A figure you see written down somewhere ("you'll get 180 €") is useless at best and wrong for your case at worst. The only reliable estimate comes from the official CAF simulator, free and with no account needed: caf.fr → Mes démarches → Faire une simulation → Le logement. It takes about five minutes; have your rent and income figures ready.
How to apply, step by step
You apply online, as soon as you move in. Do not delay: APL is not backdated to before your application date.
- Gather your documents: residence permit or EU ID, French bank details (RIB), signed lease, a rent certificate (attestation de loyer) signed by your landlord, and your student number.
- Create an account at caf.fr → "Mon Compte" → "Je crée mon espace". You will be assigned an allocataire (beneficiary) number.
- Run the simulation to confirm eligibility and get an estimate.
- Submit your claim online and upload your supporting documents.
- Track your file from your account. Processing usually takes a few weeks, and the first payment comes after a one-month waiting period.
You will need a French bank account for that RIB. Our step-by-step Bordeaux arrival guide walks you through opening one and everything else, in the right order.
FAQ — APL for international students in Bordeaux
Can I claim APL in a shared flat (colocation)? Yes. Each flatmate can file their own claim, as long as they are named on the lease (or an addendum). The calculation is based on your share of the rent.
What about a furnished flat or a Crous residence? A furnished flat qualifies for housing benefit just like an unfurnished one. In a subsidised Crous residence it is often APL directly; otherwise ALS. Either way you start from the same CAF simulator.
How long until the first payment? Expect a few weeks to process the file, then a one-month waiting period: the CAF does not pay for the month you move in. So apply the very day you get your keys.
I'm a non-EU student with no scholarship — do I really get nothing? Since 1 July 2026, without a means-tested scholarship, a job, or an apprenticeship/professional contract, APL/ALS is closed to you (service-public.gouv.fr). Check whether you can secure a scholarship, or look at low-cost housing instead.
Does APL help reassure a landlord? Indirectly, yes — it lowers what you actually pay. But to convince a landlord when you have no French guarantor, the real tool is Visale, the free state-backed guarantor.
Once your APL is on the way, you still need a trustworthy flat to claim it in. Avoid fake listings and deposit scams: read our housing scam-avoidance tips and find a verified student home in Bordeaux on Studroof. For end-to-end help with your paperwork, see our student services too.
This article is informational and does not replace official sources. Rules and amounts change: always check your situation on caf.fr and service-public.gouv.fr. Last updated: July 2026.