APL: applying for CAF housing aid (students and foreigners)
Who qualifies for CAF housing aid, how to apply online and which documents to prepare so you don't lose months of support.
Personalized housing aid (APL) is one of the most useful — and most overlooked — benefits when you settle in France. It lowers your rent every month, and it is open to students as well as foreigners with legal status. Here is who qualifies and how to apply.
Who qualifies for housing aid?
The aid is available regardless of your nationality, provided you have legal status (a valid residence permit for non-EU citizens). The main conditions:
- the home is your main residence, in France;
- you have a lease in your name (or are a flatmate with a lease);
- you are not housed by a parent who owns the property;
- your resources stay below certain ceilings.
Run a simulation first
Before anything, estimate your entitlement on the CAF simulator. It's free, anonymous and gives you an approximate amount in a few minutes.
Documents to prepare
Required documents
- ID (and residence permit for non-EU citizens)
- Signed lease and a rent receipt or certificate
- French bank details in your name
- Social security number, if you already have one
- Recent proof of resources
Application steps
- 1
Create a CAF account
On caf.fr, create your space. You receive an "allocataire" (claimant) number.
- 2
Fill in the housing aid request
Enter the home, the rent and your situation. Upload the requested documents.
- 3
Send your bank details and wait for review
CAF reviews your file, then pays the aid every month, usually on the 5th.
How much and when?
The amount depends on your rent, the city and your resources. The first payment comes after the file is reviewed, but the aid is calculated from the month you applied.
Apply for housing aid (CAF)Xenaflow guides you step by step: simulation, account creation, documents to provide and file tracking.
View procedure