International students on degree programmes

You need to take the first steps well in advance to obtain the necessary authorizations for your stay in France. Without a visa and a valid passport, you won't be able to study at our university, so this is an essential step!

-> Students from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland

Students from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland have no special consular formalities to complete. However, they must have an identity card (or passport) valid for the entire duration of their stay.

-> Students from outside the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

We invite you to run a simulation using the France-Visas website's visa wizard, to check whether you need to apply for a visa, depending on your country of residence and your project.

Please note that as part of your visa application, you will need to prove that you have sufficient resources to support yourself in France. The amount officially required by the French authorities is €615 per month.

• VLS-TS

1) Applying for and obtaining a VLS-TS student visa (before arriving in France)
The VISA most often granted is the Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour (VLS-TS) for students. Once the visa has been granted, it authorizes you to enter France and stay there legally for a period of between 4 months and 1 year, without having to go through the prefecture immediately.

2) Mandatory validation of the VLS-TS after arrival in France
Within 3 months of your arrival in France, you must validate your VLS-TS online. This makes your visa fully valid as a residence permit. Validation takes place on the dedicated page of the Ministry of the Interior's official website.

In particular, you'll need to :
- enter your personal details
- indicate your date of entry into France
- pay the corresponding tourist tax

You will be issued with a validation certificate, which you should keep in a safe place!

3) Staying in France while your VLS-TS is valid
Once validated, the VLS-TS :
- is valid as a residence permit
- allows you to study in France
- authorizes you to work up to 964 hours per year (approximately 20 h/week).

Please note: no further action is required as long as your visa is valid.

4) Applying for a residence permit at the end of the VLS-TS period
As the VLS-TS has a limited duration, you will need to apply for a residence permit if you wish to continue your stay beyond its expiry date.

If you hold a student VLS-TS, you can apply for :
- a temporary student residence permit (valid for 1 year), or
- a multi-annual student residence permit (valid from 2 to 4 years), subject to certain conditions.

Renewal applications are made exclusively online, on the Ministry of the Interior website, under the heading:
" I am applying for or renewing a residence permit ".

Please note: we strongly recommend that you apply 2 to 4 months before your VLS-TS expires.

5) Withdrawal of residence permit
Once your application has been processed :
- you will be summoned by the prefectural authorities
- the residence permit must be collected in person, by appointment only.

First and foremost, we encourage you to carefully read Campus France’s general recommendations for finding housing in France, as well as to review the list of useful housing resources (both temporary and permanent) compiled by the organization.

How do I find accommodation?

Are you an international student at Aix-Marseille University enrolled in a degree program and looking for housing near your campus? To help you in your search for housing, we’ve compiled a list of useful links and resources for each type of housing available in this section. 

-> Temporary accommodation

• There are many options for temporary accommodation, and reservations can be made online using a credit card:

- Bed & Crous
- Booking
- Airbnb
- Hostelling International
- French Youth Hostel League
- Couchsurfing

• There are also plenty of hotels that can accommodate you during your first few days in France! You can contact the tourist offices in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille for a list of hotels :

- Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office
- Marseille Tourist Office 

-> University residences

• CROUS university residences

CROUS university residences are residences reserved for students and subsidized by the French government. They offer some of the lowest rents on the market (€270 on average for a room), which is why they are the most sought-after type of accommodation for students! Find out more here.

Please note that the common areas in these residences are mixed-gender.

For international students enrolled in a degree programme as independent applicants (“free movers”), CROUS university accommodation is only available from Master’s level onwards. Any application submitted by a student enrolled at Bachelor’s level will therefore be automatically rejected.

To find a room, we recommend checking the available listings regularly on the CROUS accommodation platform. To submit an application or make a reservation, you will need to create a personal account and log in when submitting your request.

• Private student residences

You can also opt for a single room in a private student hall of residence. Although they are more expensive than CROUS halls of residence, they are still very affordable and offer numerous benefits: furnished rooms, internet access, a laundry facility, a gym, and so on. 

-> Private accommodation

• If you'd like to rent an apartment just for yourself, check out the offers posted on platforms and websites that share them free of charge. You'll need to be more autonomous and independent in your search. If you're interested in an offer, contact the real estate agency or private individual who rents the property. Consult offers :

- Association des loueurs de meublés d'Aix
- Leboncoin
- Seloger
- PAP
- Explorimmo
- Bien'ici
- ParuVendu
- For sale for rent
- Locservice.fr
- Logic-immo.com
- Entreparticuliers.com
- Locat'me
- Locaviz

If you wish to rent a property in the private rental sector, we advise you never to pay the reservation fee in advance before meeting the owner and/or visiting the property. Please also note that if you go through an estate agent, you will have to pay a fee, also known as an "agency fee". These fees vary from agency to agency: find out more!
 

-> Sharing

In order to pay a lower monthly rent, sharing a flat has many other advantages!

• You can opt for and share an apartment with one or more people. Here are just a few of the sites with offers:

- The colivers
- Appartager
- Immo Jeune
- Locaviz
- La carte des Colocs
- AFEV
- Live Colonies

• Have you heard of intergenerational sharing? This bonding solution involves living for free (or at a low cost) in the home of an elderly person in exchange for services. There are a number of associations to help you:

- Toit chez moi
- Un toit deux générations
- Ensemble 2 Générations
- Cohabilis

• There's also coliving (a modern, improved form of shared accommodation). In this type of accommodation, occupants have their own private sleeping space and bathroom. They share high-quality common areas. Sometimes, they even benefit from facilities such as a gym, a coworking space, a terrace or even a garden! Click on the following links for more information:

- Immo Jeune
- Coliving France
- Colivys

• Finally, you can choose to rent a room in a local home. Discover offers via these sites:

- Roomlala
- Locaviz
- Homestay

If you can't find accommodation through the above options, you can also check out Facebook pages dedicated to accommodation offers in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence. You can also use the Studapart X amU housing platform reserved for amU students. You'll find numerous offers for all types of accommodation and budgets.

Accommodation procedures

Finding a place to live is an essential step in settling in France. It is therefore recommended that you plan ahead and begin the process as soon as possible. Below you will find the main steps to follow, as well as practical information and advice to help you with your search and prepare for your move with peace of mind.

-> Step 1: Put together a rental file

Before you even start looking for accommodation, we recommend that you start gathering all the administrative documents you'll need. Even if your rental file is complete and solid, there's a good chance that landlords will ask you to provide proof of a guarantor.

Visit our FAQ for international students to find out in detail what administrative documents you'll need to provide, and get tips on how to find a guarantor easily!

-> Step 2: Sign a lease or rental contract

Once you've found your accommodation and your application has been accepted, you'll need to sign a lease (or rental contract). This is a document that you and your landlord sign to define the conditions under which you have the right to occupy the property. 

Most of the time, the following information appears in this contract:
- the amount of rent and charges
- the amount of the security deposit
- duration of notice period (in the event of early departure).

Please note: when you sign your lease, you will be asked to pay the first month's rent + the security deposit. Make sure you have enough money to pay the equivalent of 2 months' rent in 1 instalment.

-> Step 3: Carry out an inventory of fixtures on entering the property

Before you move in, you'll need to carry out an inventory of fixtures with your landlord. This is the time when you check the general condition of the property and any malfunctions. 
If there are any defects, even minor ones, report them to your landlord and have them noted on the document before you sign. 
This is the same document that will be used as a reference when you carry out your exit inventory of fixtures and fittings, and check the conditions in which you will be returning the property!

Please note: when you go through the rooms and equipment in your home (walls, cupboards, mirrors, toilet flushes, hobs, etc.), pay particular attention to every detail!

-> Step 4: Take out a home insurance policy

Whatever type of property you choose to live in, you are legally obliged to take out a home insurance policy covering water damage, fire, theft and vandalism. This insurance covers both the walls of your home and the property inside.

Here are a few examples of insurance companies for students:
- HEYME Assurances Étudiants
- SMERRA - Mutuelle étudiante
- SMENO Mutuelle étudiante
- LMDE : La Mutuelle des Étudiants
- ADH Assurances Étudiants
- STUDAPART

-> Step 5 : Take out an electricity and/or gas contract

• If you're renting your own apartment in the private sector, you'll need to take out an electricity and/or gas contract.
• If you are renting a room in a CROUS hall of residence or a private student residence, the price of electricity and gas is generally already included in the rent. So there's no need to take out a contract!

Please note: there are several energy suppliers in France, so compare their offers.

-> Apply for Aide Personnalisée au Logement (APL) through Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF) | Please note: eligibility depends on your profile and is subject to certain conditions

Some international students may be eligible for Personalised Housing Assistance (Aide Personnalisée au Logement – APL) from the French Family Allowances Fund (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales – CAF), provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

Please note: As of 1 July 2026, the eligibility rules for CAF housing assistance have changed for non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss students, i.e. students who are not nationals of a country in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

• Non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss students receiving a scholarship: You remain eligible for APL, provided you receive a CROUS means-tested grant or a specific regional scholarship.
• Non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss students not receiving a scholarship: You are no longer eligible for APL as of 1 July 2026, except in certain cases* (see below).

* Exceptions (non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss students who are not receiving a scholarship may remain eligible for CAF housing assistance if they fall into one of the following four categories):
1) You are employed or self-employed (including as a micro-entrepreneur).
2) You hold an apprenticeship or professional training contract.
3) You have refugee or stateless status.
4) You are the spouse of an eligible non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss student.

• Students from an EU or EEA country or Switzerland: Your eligibility remains unchanged.

If you are confirmed as eligible, you can then submit your application online via the CAF website.

The amount of assistance awarded depends on the type of accommodation, the rent, your student status and your financial resources. We invite you to take an online simulation on the CAF website (please note: only by applying will you be able to find out the exact amount).

Health-related formalities are essential and must be anticipated. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a European Health Insurance Card, or join the French Social Security system once you arrive in France.

-> Procedures for EU students - EHIC

Students with the nationality of a European Union country, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway or Switzerland can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in their country of origin. This means they do not need to register with the French social security system.

-> Procedures for non-EU students - CPAM

As an international student from outside the European Union, you must register with the French social security system. Affiliation is free and compulsory for students moving to France. It ensures that your healthcare costs are covered for the duration of your studies. It must be done as soon as you arrive in France, following your Administrative Registration (IA) at the university.

To join the Sécurité Sociale at and have your healthcare costs covered, you will need to subscribe to the general Assurance Maladie scheme by following the steps below:

1. Register on the site dedicated to welcoming international students as soon as your Administrative Registration (AI) at amU has been finalized;
2. Submit the required supporting documents;
3. Download your provisional Social Security certificate. You are now insured;
4. Deposit additional supporting documents in your temporary space;
5. As soon as you have been assigned a definitive Social Security number, create your account on the améli.fr website and request your carte vitale;
6. Declare an attending physician for your first consultation (this will facilitate reimbursement of your healthcare costs).

-> "Mutuelles" complementary health insurance

Social Security will reimburse around 70% of your healthcare costs. To optimize reimbursement of the remaining 30%, you can take out complementary health insurance, also known as a Mutuelle.

This is not compulsory, but strongly recommended. Student" insurance companies offer complementary health insurance tailored to the needs of students. 

HEYME: as an amU student, you can benefit from a 10% discount on your policy by entering the following partner code: 13AMU-10.
SMERRA: go to this page to benefit from a student discount.

Students on low incomes can also benefit from free or reduced-rate complementary health insurance. Check with your health insurance company or directly via your espace améli.fr to find out if you are eligible.

A word of advice : make sure that the mutual insurance company you choose includes civil liability insurance valid for your private and student life. This will ensure that you are covered at your place of study and internship for all everyday accidents.

-> The University Student Health Service

The university also has its own Student Health Service: the SSE. Here, students have free access to general practitioners, nurses, psychologists, a relaxation therapist and, depending on availability, student trainees in odontology (dentistry).

More information on the SSE page.

-> Other health services

1. Psychological support and mental health :

• The Santé Psy Étudiant scheme is free and accessible to all students enrolled in higher education courses recognized by the French Ministry of Education and Research. You don't have to pay anything up front, as the partner psychologists are reimbursed by the partner universities. You can take advantage of 12 free sessions with a partner psychologist. For more information, visit the website.
• Nightline is an association specializing in young people's mental health. Its mission is to improve the mental health of students and young people, both individually and collectively. The association offers a helpline and free psychological support. Find out more on their website.
• BAPU ( Bureau d'Aide Psychologique Universitaire de Marseille) is a counseling center for students seeking psychological help. The team offers interviews and consultations, and the student's approach is completely confidential. Visit their website for more information.

2. Specialized support :

• Atypie-Friendly is an inclusion program for people with autism and/or neurodevelopmental disorders at university. If you want to take part in the program, a person will be appointed to accompany you throughout your university career, and you will be able to benefit from personalized support, take part in activities adapted to your needs, take advantage of pedagogical accommodations, be guided in your orientation, and be monitored in the context of your professional integration. Find out more on the website.

3. Other health-related assistance :

• The Pass Santé Jeune is a scheme run by La Région Sud that gives you free access to a range of services provided by independent health professionals and psychologists. Find out more on the Région Sud website.
• Complémentaire santé solidaire, or C2S, is a state-funded supplementary health insurance scheme for people of modest means, designed to reduce the cost of their healthcare expenses as much as possible. For more information, visit the website.