Paperwork
CAF and APL: Housing Benefit in France
APL is a monthly state housing subsidy for renters. In Montpellier, Marseille and Nice (zone 2), it can reach up to 250 € per month for a single person. Your entitlement starts the month you file on caf.fr — it is never backdated.
What is CAF
CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) is the French state agency that pays housing and family benefits. You register once, upload your documents, and CAF then manages all your entitlements: housing subsidy, family allowances, prime d’activité. Website: caf.fr.
Unlike CPAM (health insurance) or OFII (integration), CAF deals with money, not permits. Registration is free and entirely online.
APL — who qualifies and how much
APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) is a personalised housing subsidy for tenants. It is the single most useful benefit for newcomers.
Eligibility conditions
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Document | Any valid titre de séjour or work-authorised récépissé |
| Housing | Rented from a non-relative; official lease required |
| Presence | Minimum 6 months per year in France |
| Non-EU students | From 1 July 2026 — boursiers (state scholarship holders) only |
EU/EEA citizens, recognised refugees, and holders of a carte de résident face no restrictions.
How much you receive: zones and 2026 figures
France divides housing into three cost zones. Montpellier, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse and other large southern cities are zone 2.
| Zone | Typical cities | Max APL (single person) | Rent ceiling (1 person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Greater Paris | up to ~380 € | ~370 € |
| Zone 2 | Montpellier, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse | up to ~250 € | 290 € |
| Zone 3 | Small towns, rural areas | up to ~200 € | ~250 € |
Worked example (2026): a single person in Montpellier with a 400 € rent and no income receives around 249 € APL per month.
APL is at its maximum when income is zero. It starts tapering at roughly 725 €/month income for a single person in zone 2 and reaches zero at around 900 €/month.
When APL is not available
- The property is owned by a direct relative (parent, child, sibling or spouse)
- Titre de séjour has expired; first-time récépissé without work authorisation
- Non-EU student without a state scholarship — after 1 July 2026
- Income exceeds the applicable threshold
- Some private furnished rentals (ALS applies instead of APL)
ALS and ALF: alternatives to APL
If your housing falls outside the APL framework, CAF may award ALS (Allocation de Logement Sociale) — up to 280 € per month for a single person in zone 2. ALF covers families with children who cannot claim either APL or ALS. The three cannot be combined: CAF automatically assigns whichever is most favourable.
How to apply on caf.fr
- Go to caf.fr → «Mes services» → «Faire une demande de prestation».
- Create a «Mon Compte» — you will need your RIB, housing address, and income details for the past 12 months.
- Enter the exact date your lease begins — this is the start of your entitlement.
- Upload your documents (see list below).
- Confirm the application — you receive a numéro d’allocataire.
- Allow 1–3 months for a first application to be processed.
CAF pays on the 5th of each month (or the nearest working day).
Documents required
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Titre de séjour (both sides) or récépissé | Proof of lawful residence |
| Passport | Identity |
| Bail (lease agreement) | Start date and rent amount |
| RIB (bank account details) | Receiving the benefit |
| Avis d’imposition or income declaration | Calculating your APL amount |
| Justificatif de domicile | Address confirmation |
| Children’s birth certificates | If you have children |
Recent arrivals who have not yet filed a French tax return: CAF accepts an attestation sur l’honneur (a self-declaration of no French income) or pay slips and income documents from your country of origin.
Timing: why it matters
APL is never backdated:
Sign your lease → file on caf.fr the same month. Every month you delay is money you will never recover.
The first month after filing is a waiting period (mois de carence): payments begin with the second month. Apply as early as possible.
Other CAF benefits
Prime d’activité — top-up for workers
The 2026 base reference figure is 638.28 €/month (+0.8% from April 2026). For a single person, it tapers to zero above ~2,000 €/month income. No five-year wait — any foreigner with a valid work permit can apply immediately. A quarterly income declaration on caf.fr is mandatory.
Allocations familiales — family allowances
For families with two or more children under 20. No waiting period — entitlement begins immediately on proof of a valid residence permit, provided the children live in France.
RSA — for the very low-income, but with a wait
RSA stands at 635.71 €/month for a single person in 2026. Non-EU nationals must have resided legally in France for 5 years to qualify. Exceptions: recognised refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and EU/EEA citizens.
Avance Loca-Pass — interest-free deposit loan
Not a CAF product, but part of the same ecosystem: Action Logement will lend up to 1,200 € interest-free toward your security deposit. You must be employed in the private sector (or be a state scholarship student). Apply at actionlogement.fr within 2 months of moving in. Compatible with APL.
Get real-world advice from people who have been through it
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