Finances, discounts, and subsidies

The Eurozone

• France is part of the Eurozone which all use the Euro (countries in dark blue in the photo below) 
• Some tips concerning money:
  • Avoid carrying around large amounts of cash
  • It is useful to have loose bills and coins, small denominations
  • Avoid 100€ and above - not all merchants will accept these, unless paying for a large sum

Why do you need to open a bank account? 

• To pay for rent and other utilities (phone, internet, transportation, etc)
• More convenient (can be used throughout the EU, no additional/minimal fees)
• To receive reimbursements (social security, healthcare, insurance) and subsidies (ex: housing aid from CAF) that will be automatically credited to your account 

Other things to note:

• Usually closed on Sundays and Mondays for over the counter transactions, ATMs are always open
• Some banks have special offers for students (discounted insurance package, no maintaining balance, etc) 
  • You can ask your French HEI if they have partner banks to make things easier for you! 

Opening a French bank account

• To open a bank account, you usually need to book an appointment first. On the day of your appointment, you will be asked to bring the following documents (may differ): 
  • Passport with your student visa 
  • Proof of a fixed home address (attestation d’hébergement, contrat de bail)
  • Student ID or certificate of admission from the school/university
• For more information on French banks, click here

Campus France video tutorial - opening a bank account 

Carte bancaire (aka CB)

• Used to pay for almost anything (groceries, cafeteria, transportation)
• Is preferred to using cash when paying big amounts
• chip and PIN (EMV debit card)
• Can be used to pay and withdraw money throughout the EU with no or minimal fees 

Students in France enjoy discounts for many different activities and items, so always have your student ID! 

Culture and leisure 

• Movies

• Museums, cultural and historical sites, libraries

• Shows, expositions, concerts, sporting events

Transportation 

• Métro/bus/tram/bike rentals (student/youth discounted fares)
• 🚆 EuRail, Intercités, TGV, Carte 18-27, Carte Voyageur (SNCF)
• ✈️ youth fare, budget airlines

Students of all nationalities may apply for government housing assistance. France is the only country in Europe that offers this to international students! 

Aide personnalisée au logement (APL) - rent subsidy from the State

• CAF assistance amounts are computed on a case to case basis
• There are certain conditions to be met, so the assistance is not automatic or assured
• Applications are done online

Basic requirements:

• proof of address, passport with visa (VLS-TS)
• French bank account details
• birth certificate with DFA authentication, official French translation, and French Consulate’s certification

PDF guides are available for download

1. CROUS, university residences ➜ https://bit.ly/2020APLresCROUS

2. Non-CROUS student accommodations ➜ https://bit.ly/2020APLresetud

3. Private accommodations (apartments, colocation/renting with others) ➜ https://bit.ly/2020APLrespriv