How to Prepare a Student Budget in Paris

127,476 international students study in Paris, the 7th most expensive city globally. If you’re one of them, learn how to prepare a student budget and save money.

Jale

5 minute read

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Updated on 17 Sep 2024

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Living

Paris is one of the best French cities to study in, thanks to its top-notch universities, glamorous nightlife, and big international community. But it’s also the 7th most expensive city worldwide.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew how much to budget when studying in Paris? To help you live your best student life in France, we’ll share what a typical student budget in Paris looks like. As the cherry on top, we’ll also spill what kind of benefits you can apply for, where to do your grocery, and how you can use a student card to reduce costs.

So let’s start budgeting!

Since your biggest expense will be your rent, let’s start with budgeting your housing costs.

Overall, rental prices in France aren't low, especially in a major city like Paris. Here’re the average rent prices for accommodation in Paris:

1. €789 for a furnished private room in Paris (best for students)
2. €1,101 for a furnished studio (best for singles, couples, or new graduates)
3. €1,978 for an unfurnished apartment (best for couples or families).

Keep in mind that the cost of utilities is often not included in the rent price in France. In Paris, utilities (water, heating, electricity, and internet) will cost around €200.

If you’ve to set up utilities yourself, make sure to check the meter readings on the day you move in to ensure you only pay for your usage.

If you are still trying to find furnished apartments in Paris, you will find many options in this city.

How to reduce housing costs in Paris

The best way to reduce housing expenses as a student is to stay in a shared apartment with flatmates. Besides helping with rent and utility expenses, sharing an apartment with others will help you make new friends, divide chores and even reduce grocery costs.

Another way to avoid unnecessary costs is to make sure you’re familiar with your tenant rights in France before signing a rental contract.

Our final tip is to apply for a housing benefit called CAF. But first, you must check if you’re eligible for it.

The criteria to be eligible for the housing benefits in France are:

• You must be a student under 28 years
• You have a long-term student visa (VLS-TS visa).
• The accommodation must be your primary residence.
• If renting a room, it must be at least 9m² for a single person.
• You aren’t related to the landlord.
• Your total asset doesn’t exceed €30,000.
• Your rent isn’t too high depending on the neighborhood and personal financial situation.
• You aren’t subletting.

The good news is that the housing aid applies to all accommodation types and if you’ve a student job, your income doesn’t impact the calculation of housing aid.

To apply for the benefit, documents you must have:

1. French bank account
2. Rental agreement
3. Social security number
4. Student visa

Calculate the estimated amount of housing benefit with this online tool.

On average, students spend around €300 monthly on food expenses in Paris. But of course, this rate can increase or decrease depending on your dietary habits and how often you eat outside.

Your best way to save money will be to eat at home as eating outside is expensive in Paris. If you eat outside, eat at the university cafeterias. The Regional Center for University and School Works (Crous) has an agreement with 21 restaurants and 36 university cafeterias in Paris for quality but reasonably priced food. A small starter, a main course, and a dessert will cost around €6 at the university cafeteria.

You can save money by shopping from discount stores like Lidl, E. Leclerc, or Aldi. To find the cheapest and closest supermarkets to you, use the online map called que choisir.

Another great way to save money is to do groceries at farmers’ markets where you can purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and more directly from the producer.

The most known market in Paris is Marché des Enfants Rouges. But thanks to its popularity and tourist attention, the prices aren’t very affordable. So go to Marché d’Aligre (12th arrondissement) and Rue Montorgueil (2nd arrondssement) for the best quality to price ratio.

You should practice speaking French if you want to negotiate for better prices.

Students under 25 can get discounts with a student card in France. For example, 1 cinema ticket typically costs €12, but for students, it’s €7.50. Also, you’ll get free entry to most of the museums, galleries, and cultural spaces.

Paris is home to many bars and nightlife venues; the Belleville and Bastille areas are especially trendy among students. Head to the student bars and clubs to enjoy a night out on a budget. You can expect to pay €6 to €9 for a drink at student-friendly venues.

The Student Social Security (Sécurité Sociale Etudiante) covers around 70% of the medical expenses of full-time non-EU students, while European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers EU students.

Since doctors are free to set prices in France, some doctors have an agreement with social security not to overcharge the patients. They’re called conventionnés de secteur 1 (sector 1) doctors. For example, the fee for visiting general practitioners in sector 1 costs €25. In this case, your health insurance covers 70% of the price.

Students under 26 can enjoy benefits and discounts when using Paris’ extensive public transport system.

Here’re the top 3 perks you can enjoy as a student when using public transportation:

1. Imagine R Student pass: an unlimited annual transportation subscription (only) in Paris for €350 (the regular subscription is €880).
2. V-Plus Solidarity membership: discounted student rate (€4.15 monthly) for city-wide public bicycle service Vélib'.
3. The carte Jeune pass: for €49 annually, you’ll get a 30% discount on trains across France and Europe.

Now that you know what to budget for, we advise you to open a French bank account to monitor your budget and pay your expenses efficiently.

Finding affordable student housing options in Paris is also a wonderful way to make sure you don't exceed your student budget.

You could aso consider finding a student job to make a few extra bucks to support your student budget. The French government allows every student to work 964 hours per year as a student, regardless of their nationality.