What is the cost of living in France for international students in 2024?

France, known as the birthplace of the art de vivre, is a wonderful place to live. It is a country that celebrates food and culture, with bustling cities and beautiful landscapes. It’s no wonder that hundreds of thousands of international students flock to France to study each year. But how much money do they need to support themselves while here? What is the cost of living in France for students from other countries? Keep reading to learn more about average day-to-day costs.

What is the cost of moving to France for international students?

Whether international students wish to move to Paris, Lyon or Marseille – France’s biggest cities – or to smaller cities like Bordeaux or Lille, it’s important that they get a sense of living expenses and how much they’ll need to budget for their stay. In addition to paying for their fare to France, international students need to plan for their spendings while there, in other words, their monthly expenses or cost of living, including housing and utilities, their educational program, transportation, food, and healthcare. 

The cost of living in France will vary depending on where in the country the student is studying, i.e. in a big city like Paris or in a small town, and whether or not the student wishes to live in the city center, or outside of it. Choosing a studio over a one-bedroom apartment will also impact housing costs and expenses, while varying locations can impact transportation costs, too. If students choose to live outside the city center, for example, but then have to travel back to the center each day for classes, they will likely pay more for transportation.

On average it is estimated that the average cost of living in France per month for a single person is around €1,800. 

What is the monthly cost of living in France?

Living costs for students in France will depend on where they study, what kind of living arrangement they find, and on other lifestyle choices. Overall, there are many factors to consider, and many options to explore when it comes to living as an international student in France. This cost of living calculator is a helpful tool.

Housing, rent & utilities

Rent often makes up the biggest share of one’s cost of living. Housing prices vary greatly throughout France, depending on what city or town students choose to study in. At the time of writing this article, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Paris is 1290EUR, whereas in Bordeaux or Lille it’s under 780EUR. A study by Statista has shown that the average rental price in Paris (per square meter) is almost double the cost of rentals in Marseille, which is France’s second largest city. 

Similarly, when it comes to utilities, these cost more in the capital, too. Basic utilities in Paris (including Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) cost about 25% more than utilities in Bordeaux. For gas and electricity, students will most likely encounter the two biggest suppliers, EDF and Engie, and will either pay a fixed monthly rate, or a rate based on real consumption. Prices can be influenced based on peak/off peak rates as well as seasons.

Fortunately, there are many options when it comes to finding housing for students. There are student-dedicated dormitories and apartments available in most big cities, as well as studio apartments, or bedrooms in shared multi-bedroom apartments. “Colocation” or apartment sharing can be a very affordable way to live and study in France. This kind of variety, with options in city centers and outside of them, means that international students can find something that fits within their budget.

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Education

The costs of higher education in France vary depending on the type of program in which the international student is enrolled (public universities or private programs) and also where they are from. At public higher education institutions for the 2023/24 academic year, for European students (nationals of a member country of the European Union, the European Economic Area, Andorra or Switzerland), the fees are: 

• €170 per year at the licence (bachelor) level
• €243 per year at the master level

For non-EU students (who are not permanent residents of France), the state covers two thirds of the cost of program, and the student must pay:

• €2,770 per year at the licence (bachelor) level
• €3,770 per year at the master level

In private higher education institutions, however, and particularly in private business schools, the costs are much higher. Tuition at these institutions can range from €3,000 to €10,000 (or more) per year. For more details, Campus France is an excellent resource for international students who wish to study in France.

Transport

Fortunately for international students, France’s cities have robust public transportation networks including buses, metros and trams. In Paris, a single, one-way ticket for use on a bus, tram, or metro train will cost €2.10. A monthly unlimited Navigo pass costs €84.10. Outside of Paris, public transportation is often cheaper, and student rates may be available. There are student discount cards available from the SNCF, France’s national rail network.

Food

Food is a category of cost with a lot of potential for variation: whether students decide to cook at home or eat at restaurants will have a major impact on their monthly budget and cost of living. Depending on preferences and budget, students will want to set aside between €100 and €300 for monthly groceries. France has many different supermarket chains, including discount chains like LIDL, most of which offer loyalty programs. In most cities, too, there are regular outdoor markets, with competitive prices. 

While dining out at a Michelin-starred restaurant will be an expensive proposition, on average, the price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in France is €15. Good cuisine is very much integrated into French culture, and many establishments aim to offer reasonable prices.

Health

Good news for students in France: the general French social security system is available to all students for free. Students simply need to register in order to obtain a social security number and Carte Vitale, the national health insurance card. On average, the system reimburses about 70% of doctor’s bills and between 15 - 100% of the costs of medication. Students may opt to pay for a complementary health insurance plan, or a mutuelle, and can expect to pay around €30 per month for the additional coverage.

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Conclusion: Summing up the cost of living in France

Overall, the cost of living for international students in France can vary quite a bit. Studying and living in the capital will be more expensive than in a smaller city when it comes to rent, utilities and transportation. That said, when it comes to food, education, and healthcare, the cost of living will be fairly similar all over the country. After doing research and comparing costs, international students can find the right living situation that matches their budget and needs.