CROUS: how to get student housing in Paris as a Saudi student

Ask any Saudi student who has studied in France what their biggest challenge was, and the answer is almost always the same: finding housing. The French rental market, particularly in Paris, is notoriously competitive. Landlords demand extensive documentation, guarantors must be French tax residents, and demand far outstrips supply every September.

The good news? As a scholarship student, you have access to a system specifically designed to help: CROUS. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about securing student housing in Paris for the 2026-2027 academic year.

What is CROUS?

CROUS stands for Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires. It is the French government body that manages student welfare services, including university cafeterias (restaurants universitaires) and, most importantly, subsidized student housing.

There are 26 CROUS offices across France, one for each academic region. For Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France area, the relevant body is the CROUS de Paris, which manages over 8,000 rooms across dozens of residences in the capital and nearby suburbs.

CROUS housing is the most affordable option available to students in France. Rents range from 200 to 550 EUR per month depending on the type of room and location, a fraction of what you would pay on the private market.

Types of CROUS residences

Not all CROUS rooms are created equal. Understanding the different types will help you set realistic expectations:

Traditional rooms (chambre traditionnelle)

The most affordable option at around 200-250 EUR/month. These are single rooms of approximately 9 m² with shared bathrooms and kitchens. They are basic but functional, and the price is unbeatable in Paris. Most are located in older residences built in the 1960s-70s.

Renovated rooms (chambre rénovée)

Similar size to traditional rooms but with private bathroom facilities (shower and sink, sometimes a toilet). Rents range from 300-400 EUR/month. These are the most popular option and fill up quickly.

Studios and T1/T1bis

Self-contained apartments of 15-25 m² with private kitchen, bathroom, and living area. Rents range from 400-550 EUR/month. These are ideal for students who value independence and privacy, and they are eligible for higher CAF aid.

Couple and family housing

Larger apartments for students with a spouse or family. Limited availability but worth investigating if you are married. Rents vary significantly based on size and location.

The DSE application: step by step

CROUS housing is allocated through the DSE (Dossier Social Étudiant) process. Here is how to apply:

1. Create your account on messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr. You will need your INE number (if you have one from a previous enrollment in France) or your passport number for first-time applicants.
2. Fill in your DSE form. Select "demande de logement" (housing request). You can list up to two CROUS residences in order of preference. Research locations carefully, choose residences near your university or well-connected by metro.
3. Submit required documents: passport copy, enrollment certificate or admission letter, scholarship attestation (for Custodian Scholarship students, this significantly strengthens your application), and a recent passport photograph.
4. Pay the application fee. The DSE processing fee is minimal (around 7 EUR) and confirms your application.
5. Wait for allocation. CROUS reviews applications and sends offers by email, typically between late June and early August. You have 48 hours to accept an offer once received.
6. Confirm and pay the deposit. Once accepted, you pay a deposit (usually one month's rent) and sign the lease (bail). The lease runs from September 1 to August 31.

Key deadlines for 2026-2027

Timing is critical. Here are the key dates:

• January 20 - May 31, 2026: DSE application window. Apply as early as possible, applications are reviewed in chronological order.
• June - July 2026: First round of allocations. Priority given to scholarship students, students with disabilities, and those from low-income backgrounds.
• August 2026: Second round of allocations for remaining rooms.
• September 1, 2026: Lease start date. You can move in from this date.

Eligibility for international students

International students are eligible for CROUS housing, but priority allocation follows a specific hierarchy:

1. Scholarship students (including Custodian Scholarship and French government scholarship holders), highest priority
2. Exchange program students from partner universities
3. Students with specific needs (disability, medical conditions)
4. Other international students, allocated based on criteria including distance from home country, financial situation, and academic level

As a Custodian Scholarship student, you fall into the highest priority category. This is a significant advantage, make sure to include your scholarship attestation with your application.

Alternative housing options

CROUS housing is limited and not guaranteed. Here are strong alternatives:

Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris

A prestigious campus in the 14th arrondissement housing 12,000 students from 150 countries. The Maison des Étudiants de l'Asie du Sud-Est and other houses accept students based on academic merit and nationality. Rents range from 500-800 EUR/month but include excellent amenities. Apply directly through their website.

Private student residences

Operators like Studéa, Nexity Studéa, Les Estudines, and Réside Études offer furnished studios specifically for students. Rents are higher (600-900 EUR/month in Paris) but the application process is simpler than the private rental market, no French guarantor required. Most accept international students with proof of scholarship.

Colocation (shared apartments)

Sharing an apartment with other students is common in Paris. Platforms like La Carte des Colocs, Appartager, and Facebook groups ("Colocation Paris") are good starting points. Budget 450-700 EUR/month for a room in a shared apartment in central Paris.

LOKAVIZ and Studapart

LOKAVIZ is CROUS's own platform for private housing listings verified for student suitability. Studapart is a partner platform used by many French universities, offering listings with simplified guarantor processes. Both are reliable alternatives to general rental platforms.

CAF housing aid: APL and ALS

One of the best advantages of studying in France: the CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) provides housing aid to virtually all students, regardless of nationality. This is not a loan, it is a monthly grant that directly reduces your rent.

How much can you receive?

• APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement): For housing in eligible buildings (most CROUS residences qualify). Can cover 100-250 EUR/month depending on your rent and location.
• ALS (Allocation de Logement Social): For housing not eligible for APL. Covers a slightly lower amount but still significant, typically 80-200 EUR/month.

How to apply

1. Wait until you have arrived in France and signed your lease
2. Create an account on caf.fr
3. Submit your application with: passport, visa, lease agreement, RIB (French bank details), and enrollment certificate
4. Processing takes approximately 2 months. Aid is retroactive to your move-in date

Budget breakdown: Paris vs. regions

Housing costs vary dramatically across France. Here is a realistic comparison:

• Paris (intra-muros): CROUS 300-550 EUR | Private studio 800-1,200 EUR | Shared room 450-700 EUR
• Île-de-France suburbs: CROUS 250-400 EUR | Private studio 550-800 EUR | Shared room 350-500 EUR
• Lyon / Marseille / Toulouse: CROUS 200-350 EUR | Private studio 450-700 EUR | Shared room 300-450 EUR
• Smaller cities (Strasbourg, Montpellier, Grenoble): CROUS 180-300 EUR | Private studio 350-550 EUR | Shared room 250-400 EUR

After CAF deduction, CROUS housing in any French city becomes remarkably affordable, often under 200 EUR/month.

Practical tips for Saudi students

1. The guarantor problem, solved with Visale. French landlords typically require a French-resident guarantor. As an international student, you almost certainly do not have one. Visale (visale.fr) is a free government guarantee service that acts as your guarantor. Most CROUS residences accept Visale automatically. Apply online before signing your lease.
2. Open a French bank account early. You will need a RIB (Relevé d'Identité Bancaire) for CAF, rent payments, and daily life. Banks like BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and online banks like Boursorama offer student accounts. Some can be opened before arrival.
3. Get housing insurance immediately. French law requires tenants to have assurance habitation (renter's insurance). You must present proof of insurance when collecting your keys. Providers like LMDE, HEYME, or ADH offer student-specific policies from 30-50 EUR/year.
4. Do not sign anything from Saudi Arabia without verification. Housing scams targeting international students are common. Never pay a deposit or sign a lease for a property you have not seen (or that a trusted person in France has not visited). Use official platforms like LOKAVIZ, Studapart, or go through your institution's housing service.
5. Apply to multiple options simultaneously. Do not rely solely on CROUS. Apply to CROUS, the Cité Internationale, and 2-3 private residences at the same time. This maximizes your chances of having housing confirmed before your arrival.
6. Contact your institution's housing service. Many French universities and grandes écoles have dedicated service logement teams that help international students find housing. They often have reserved rooms or partnerships with private residences.

Conclusion

Securing housing in Paris requires planning, patience, and persistence. Start your CROUS application as early as January, explore alternatives in parallel, and take advantage of CAF housing aid and Visale to reduce your financial burden. As a Custodian Scholarship student, you have priority access to CROUS, use this advantage wisely.

At Al Qantara Institute, we guide Saudi students through every step of settling in France, from housing applications to bank accounts to administrative procedures. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the process, we are here to help.