Resource conditions

Resource conditions for coming to study in France

Before you leave and when you arrive in France, you must show that you have at least 430 € per month to live on throughout the entire university year.

Which foreign students are concerned by this?

Foreign students not living in one of the Member States of the European Economic Area* (EEA) must prove they have resources of 430 € per month:

• before leaving in order to pre-enrol in their higher education establishment;
• on arrival in France to apply for a residence card

This amount corresponds to 70% of the amount of the basic grant paid to French students.

list of EEA Member States:

• Germany,
•  Austria,
• Belgium,
• Bulgaria,
• Cyprus (Greek part),
• Denmark,
• Spain,
• Estonia,
• Finland,
• France,
• Greece,
• Hungary,
• Ireland,
• Italy,
• Latvia,
• Lithuania,
• Luxembourg,
• Malta,
• Netherlands,
• Poland,
• Portugal,
• Czech Republic,
• Romania,
• United Kingdom,
• Slovakia,
• Slovenia,
• Sweden,
• Iceland,
• Liechtenstein,
• Norway

How do you justify your financial resources?

You must inform the French authorities of the income you will perceive during your stay. This can be:

• a grant (received from the French government or from your own country)
• money that your parents will pay you every month
• savings you have accumulated to come and study in France
• etc.

Regardless of your situation, you must be able to produce written documentation (declaration on honour, proof of grant, bank statements).

430 € per month: the minimum required to stay in France

Important: with only 430 € per month, you will find life very difficult in France. This amount is not enough to make ends meet. For foreign students who cannot obtain accommodation in a university residence, this amount will mostly go to pay your rent. On top of this you will also have public transport costs, electricity, telephone, private top-up healthcare, etc. And don’t forget that you’ll have to advance quite a lot of money during your first month.
To live comfortably, we recommend you base your budget on an amount of 800 € per month in the provinces and 1000 € per month in Paris. Take a look at this example of a student budget (link to the student’s monthly budget page)
But don’t panic: once you are in France you can:

• apply for the Aide au logement étudiant (ALE) (student accommodation financial help) to finance part of your rent;
• make a little extra on the side by finding a job, since foreign students are entitled to work while pursuing their studies. More information about work for foreign students.