France Cuts Housing Aid for Non‑EU Students Starting July 2026

A decree published in the French Official Journal on 28 June 2026 amends the eligibility criteria for the personalised housing allowance (APL). From 1 July 2026, students who are non‑European and do not receive a means‑tested scholarship will no longer be entitled to APL, reducing their monthly budget by an estimated €150‑250. The measure applies only to students who do not work at least one hour per week; apprentices or those with a part‑time job can still receive the benefit.

The change is part of the 2026 finance law and was justified by the government as a way to curb APL spending. The Constitutional Council deemed the measure compatible with the general interest objective, while student organisations criticised it as discriminatory, noting that foreign students already rely heavily on social assistance compared with French students.