France: most non-EU students lose APL housing aid from 1 July 2026

From 1 July 2026, students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland can no longer get APL (and ALS/ALF housing aid) unless they hold a means-tested grant (bourse sur critères sociaux). The rule is set by decree no. 2026-552 of 27 June 2026.

The CAF says it applies to new claims from 1 July 2026 and to current recipients who no longer meet the condition. It targets holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit marked "poursuite d'études".

Still eligible

• Students who work, or are in an apprenticeship or professionalisation contract
• Refugees and stateless students
• Spouses of non-EU students

What to tell clients

• Check the student's grant status before budgeting for rent.

Official sources

• service-public.gouv.fr: end of APL for non-EU students without a grant
• CAF: what changes for some foreign students
• Légifrance: décret n° 2026-552