What is the CAF?
The CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) is the French family benefits fund — a social security body that manages a wide range of financial assistance: housing benefits (APL/ALS/ALF), family allowances, childcare support, RSA income support, disability benefits, and more. Every département in France has its own CAF.
Can foreigners register with CAF?
Yes — legal residence, not nationality, is the key criterion. EU citizens are treated like French nationals. Non-EU foreigners can register if they hold a valid residence permit authorising long-term stay. Tourist visas and short-stay permits don't qualify. Specific benefits have additional conditions (the RSA requires 5 years of residence for non-EU nationals, for example).
How to create a CAF account
- Go to caf.fr and click "Créer mon espace personnel"
- Enter your social security number (you need to be registered with CPAM first)
- Provide your bank details (RIB) for direct payment
- Upload required documents depending on the benefit you're applying for
If you don't yet have a social security number, register with CPAM first — CAF requires it. If you're employed, your employer will have registered you with URSSAF, which links to CPAM.
Main benefits available to foreigners
- APL/ALS/ALF: housing benefit — the most widely claimed benefit, available from first year of legal residence
- PAJE: birth and childcare benefits — available from birth of a child, subject to income
- Allocations familiales: family allowances from the second child — available to legal residents
- RSA: minimum income support — requires 5 years of legal residence for non-EU nationals (with exceptions)
- Prime d'activité: working supplement — for employed or self-employed people with modest incomes, available after a short qualifying period
Keeping your CAF account up to date
CAF calculates benefits based on your current situation. Any change — income, household composition, address, employment status — must be declared within 60 days. Failure to declare changes can result in overpayments that must be repaid, sometimes years later.
💡 Every year in September, CAF recalculates all means-tested benefits (APL, RSA) based on the previous year's tax return. If your income changed significantly, your benefits will adjust accordingly. Always make sure your tax return is filed on time.