CROUS residences are the most affordable student housing in France, managed by the French government and located near university campuses. For most international students, getting a CROUS student residence in France is the best possible start, combining low rent, a furnished room and access to campus restaurants. This guide covers who can apply, the exact deadlines and what to realistically expect when you arrive.
In short
- CROUS residences cost €200 to €500/month, fully furnished and bills included. You can also receive APL housing aid on top of that.
- To apply, you file a Dossier Social Étudiant (DSE) on messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr between March 1 and May 31 each year.
- International students not eligible for a French scholarship can apply during the phase complémentaire, which opens each July once scholarship holders have been allocated.
- Competition is very high, particularly in Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Always keep a backup housing option ready.
- For the 2027-2028 academic year, the DSE window opens March 1, 2027.
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What is CROUS?
CROUS stands for Centre Régional des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires. It is the French government body responsible for student welfare, and it manages three things: student residences, campus restaurants (the famous Resto U), and social aid including scholarships. There are 26 CROUS across France, each covering a specific academic region. Together they manage around 180,000 student housing units nationally, making them the single largest provider of student accommodation in the country.
CROUS residences are subsidised by the state. As a result, the rent is significantly lower than the private market, and all bills (electricity, water, internet) are included in the monthly charge. Furthermore, residents are eligible for APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) from the CAF, which can reduce the effective rent by €50 to €150 per month depending on your income and the region.
Types of rooms and prices in a CROUS student residence in France
CROUS manages two types of residences: traditional residences (directly managed by CROUS) and convention residences (HLM social housing managed in partnership). The rooms within traditional residences fall into several categories.
| Room type | Size | Included | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chambre standard | 9 m² | Sink only. Shared shower, WC and kitchen on the floor. | €200–300/month |
| Chambre améliorée | 10–14 m² | Shower, sink, fridge, WC. Shared kitchen on the floor. | €250–350/month |
| Studio | 15–20 m² | Kitchenette, shower, sink, fridge, WC. Self-contained. | €300–500/month |
| Convention (T1/T1bis) | 20–30 m² | Full kitchenette, shower, WC. Part of an HLM building. | €350–550/month |
Do not forget the APL
Once you move in, apply to the CAF for APL housing aid as soon as possible. For a student with little or no income, the APL can reduce your effective rent by €50 to €150/month. See our guide on CAF housing aid for international students for the full process.
Who can apply for a CROUS student residence in France?
In principle, any enrolled student in French higher education can apply. In practice, however, CROUS housing is allocated in two distinct phases, and your place in the queue depends on your eligibility for a French scholarship.
During the main allocation phase (March to July), rooms go first to students eligible for a bourse sur critères sociaux, a means-tested French government scholarship. Eligibility is calculated based on your parents’ income as reported to French tax authorities, your family situation and your distance from home. Most international students whose families are not tax-resident in France are not eligible for this scholarship.
After the main phase ends, remaining rooms enter the phase complémentaire (from July onwards). At this stage, any student including international students not eligible for a scholarship can apply on the same platform.
How to apply: the DSE process
Whether you are applying for a scholarship, for housing or for both, the process starts on the same platform: messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr. Here is the step-by-step process.
Create your account on MesServices. Go to messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr and register. You will need a valid email address and your French student number (INE) if you already have one. International students without an INE can still create an account.
File your Dossier Social Étudiant (if eligible). If you are eligible for a French scholarship, complete the DSE form in full between March 1 and May 31. You will need your parents’ most recent tax return, your bank details (RIB) and your enrolment certificate. If you are not eligible, skip this step and go directly to the housing request.
Submit your housing request. Once logged in, go to the “Finding accommodation” section. Select the academic region and city where you will be studying, then rank your preferences by room type and specific residence. You can list several options in order of priority.
Wait for the allocation. Rooms for scholarship holders are allocated first, from May onwards. If you are applying during the phase complémentaire (from July), responses arrive on a rolling basis as rooms become available.
Accept your offer quickly. Offers have a short acceptance window, typically 48 to 72 hours. If you do not respond in time, the offer is withdrawn and given to the next student on the list.
Complete the administrative steps. After acceptance, sign your lease, pay a caution (one month’s rent) and provide an insurance certificate (assurance habitation). Your arrival date is then confirmed by the local CROUS.
Deadlines for the 2027-2028 academic year
| Step | When | Who |
|---|---|---|
| DSE window opens | March 1, 2027 | All students applying for scholarship or housing |
| DSE deadline | May 31, 2027 | All students applying in the main phase |
| Main-phase results | May to July 2027 | Scholarship-eligible students only |
| Phase complémentaire opens | July 2027 (approx.) | All students including international students |
| Rolling offers until rooms fill | July to September 2027 | All remaining applicants |
What international students need to know
The CROUS process was designed primarily for French students. As a result, international students face two specific challenges: eligibility and timing.
On eligibility: most international students whose parents are not tax-resident in France are not eligible for the bourse sur critères sociaux. This means you cannot apply during the main allocation phase. However, you can still apply during the phase complémentaire by creating a free account on MesServices and navigating to the housing section. The system will display a message that your situation does not allow a scholarship application. Simply ignore it and proceed.
On timing: the phase complémentaire opens in July and rooms fill quickly. If you are hoping for a CROUS room for October arrival, apply as early as possible once the phase opens and be ready to accept any offer within 48 hours of receiving it.
Accept the first offer you receive
CROUS housing is scarce, particularly in large cities. If you receive an offer, accept it even if the room is smaller than expected or located further from campus than you hoped. You can always look for a better option once you are settled in France, and a CROUS room puts you in a far stronger position than arriving without housing.
What to expect when you move in
CROUS residences are functional, not luxurious. Setting realistic expectations before you arrive will save you from disappointment.
The room arrives furnished with a bed, a desk, a chair and storage. Standard rooms do not have a kitchen, so you will rely on the shared kitchen on your floor. Studios are self-contained and more comfortable, but they are rarer and allocated first. Internet (Ethernet and sometimes Wi-Fi) is included and generally reliable.
When you arrive, you will sign an état des lieux (condition report) with a CROUS staff member. Note any existing damage carefully, as you will be held responsible for anything not recorded when you leave. Your caution is returned at the end of your stay, provided the room is left in good condition.
- Included in the rent: electricity, water, heating, internet, bed frame and mattress, desk, wardrobe
- Not included: bedding, towels, kitchen utensils, cleaning products
- Community: mixed residences with French and international students. Social life varies by residence.
- Resto U: open to all residents. Meals cost €3.30 for boursiers and €5 to €7 for other students. A significant saving compared to private restaurants.
- Maintenance: report any issue (broken light, plumbing) to the accueil (front desk). Response times vary.
- Notice period: to leave your room, give one month’s written notice to the CROUS.
If you do not get a CROUS room
CROUS housing covers only a fraction of the student population in France. With around 180,000 units for several million students, most people do not get a CROUS room. If that is your situation, several alternatives exist.
| Option | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private student residence | €500–900/month | Furnished, bills included. More expensive but easier to access without a French guarantor. Examples: Nexity Studéa, Adagio, Uxco. |
| Colocation (flatshare) | €350–600/month per room | Often better value in terms of space. Requires a guarantor; use Visale if you have none. Search on Leboncoin, PAP or Facebook groups. |
| CROUS Lokaviz | Varies | Private rentals from individuals, validated by CROUS. The landlord agrees to CROUS conditions. Often CAF-eligible. |
| Foyer étudiant | €300–600/month | Student houses managed by associations. Often include meals and communal spaces. Waitlists can be long. |
Frequently asked questions
Can international students apply for a CROUS student residence in France?
Yes. However, most international students are not eligible for the French bourse sur critères sociaux, which means they cannot access the main allocation phase. Instead, they apply during the phase complémentaire, which opens each July and is open to all enrolled students. Simply create a free account on messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr and navigate to the housing section.
What is the DSE and do I need one as an international student?
The DSE (Dossier Social Étudiant) is the form used to request a French scholarship and CROUS housing. As an international student not eligible for a French scholarship, you do not need to complete the full DSE. Instead, create a basic account on MesServices and apply for housing directly. The platform may display a message stating you are not eligible for a scholarship. This is normal; simply ignore it and continue to the housing section.
How much does a CROUS residence cost per month?
Prices range from around €200 to €500 per month, depending on the room type and city. All bills are included. Additionally, if you are eligible, APL housing aid from the CAF can reduce your effective monthly cost by €50 to €150, making CROUS the most affordable legal housing option for students in France.
Moving in and costs
Do I need a guarantor to rent a CROUS room?
No. CROUS residences do not require a private guarantor. This is one of the main advantages over private rentals, where a French guarantor is typically required. You will, however, pay a caution (deposit) of one month’s rent upon arrival. This is returned at the end of your stay provided the room is left in good condition.
Can I receive APL housing aid in a CROUS residence?
Yes. CROUS residences are eligible for APL from the CAF. As soon as you move in, apply on caf.fr with your lease, your bank details (RIB with a French IBAN) and your student enrolment certificate. For a student with little or no personal income, the APL typically reduces the rent by €50 to €150 per month.
What if I receive an offer for a room that is not in my preferred location?
Accept it. Declining a CROUS offer puts you back at the bottom of the waiting list. Once you are settled in France, you can request an internal transfer to a different residence if one becomes available, or look for private accommodation at your own pace. Arriving without housing is significantly harder to manage than adjusting your plans once you are already there.
What to do next
- Apply for housing aid once you move in: CAF housing aid (APL) for international students in 2026.
- Open a French bank account (required for the APL application): Best bank account for international students in France (2026).
- Get your transport pass: Navigo Pass for International Students in Paris 2026.
- Register for health cover: French health insurance for international students (Ameli and Carte Vitale).
Sources
- Service-Public.fr, How to apply for student accommodation at Le Crous, verified March 2026
- L’Étudiant, Faire sa demande de logement Crous étape par étape, updated March 2026
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Future international students 2026-2027: your search for accommodation, 2026
- MesServices.etudiant.gouv.fr, Official CROUS application platform, consulted September 2026