What is APL?
APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) is France's main housing benefit, paid monthly by the CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) directly to you or your landlord. It's means-tested and available to tenants, not owners. The amount depends on your income, location, rent, and household composition — it can range from €50 to over €400 per month.
Do foreigners qualify?
Yes — but with one key condition. To receive APL, you must have a valid residence permit (titre de séjour) that authorises long-term stay. Tourist visas and short-stay permits don't qualify. EU citizens are treated the same as French nationals. Students on a student permit qualify from their first year. Asylum seekers are generally not eligible until they receive protected status.
Does your accommodation qualify?
Not all rentals qualify for APL. The property must be "conventionné" — meaning the landlord has signed an agreement with the state capping rents. This includes:
- All HLM (social housing) properties
- CROUS student residences
- Many private rentals in the social housing stock
If your accommodation is not conventionné, you may still qualify for ALS (Allocation de Logement Sociale) or ALF (Allocation de Logement Familiale) — similar benefits for non-APL properties. Check on caf.fr.
Apply on the day you move in
APL has a mandatory 2-month waiting period — you won't receive any payment for your first 2 months in the accommodation regardless of when you apply. But every week you delay your application is an additional month's payment lost. Apply on moving day, or as close to it as possible.
💡 Important change since 2021: APL is now calculated on your own personal income, not your parents' income. Students with little or no income typically receive higher amounts than before the reform.
How to apply: step by step
- Go to caf.fr and create an account (or log in)
- Complete the APL application form (demande d'aide au logement)
- Upload your tenancy agreement or CROUS residence contract
- Provide proof of address at your new accommodation
- Enter your bank details (RIB)
- Provide your residence permit details (for non-EU applicants)
When does the first payment arrive?
After a complete file is submitted, CAF processes it within 2 to 4 weeks. The first payment arrives 2 months after your move-in date (the mandatory waiting period). After that, APL is paid monthly on the 5th of each month.