Q2: How do I subscribe to an internet plan (box)?

Check fibre availability at your address on ariase.com, compare offers (Free, Orange, SFR, Bouygues from ~29.99 €/month) and order online with your RIB and proof of address. Installation time: 1–2 weeks. In CROUS residences, Wi-Fi is often included in the rent.

Q4: How does the university restaurant (CROUS Resto U) work?

CROUS university restaurants are open Monday to Friday (hours vary by establishment). A balanced meal costs 3.30 € for all students, 1 € for scholarship holders. Payment is via the Izly prepaid card (rechargeable on izly.fr). Find all locations and menus on crous.fr. During school holidays, opening hours may be reduced.

Q5: What student discounts are available in France?

The main student discounts are: transport (Imagine R in Île-de-France at 392.30 €/year, city student passes), culture (museums, cinemas often -30% to -50%), SNCF Carte Avantage Jeune (49 €/year, -30% minimum on TGV), Fnac or E.Leclerc student cards. Show your student card (carte d'étudiant) systematically to benefit from discounts.

Q6: What are the emergency numbers in France?

Emergency numbers in France: 15 (SAMU — medical emergencies), 17 (Police), 18 (Sapeurs-Pompiers — firefighters/medical emergencies), 112 (European emergency number, multilingual). For non-urgent advice: doctor on duty 116 117. On mobile: all these numbers are free and accessible without credit or SIM card.

Q7: How does the French healthcare system work?

France has a universal healthcare system (Sécurité Sociale). As an enrolled student, you are automatically affiliated. To be reimbursed: 1) Register on ameli.fr, 2) Choose a referring doctor (médecin traitant) in sector 1, 3) Consult and pay, 4) Receive reimbursement (70%) within a few days by bank transfer. A top-up insurance (mutuelle) covers the remaining 30% and dental/optical care.

Q8: How do I open a library account at the university?

Present your student card (carte d'étudiant) and proof of enrolment at the university library reception. Many universities offer free digital library access (e-books, academic articles). The BU Numerique (universities) and Gallica (Bibliothèque nationale de France) give free access to thousands of digital resources.

Q9: How does public transport work in France?

Each city has its own public transport network: RATP/IDFM in Paris (metro, RER, bus, tramway), TCL in Lyon, Tisséo in Toulouse, etc. Buy a student pass from your city's transport operator with your student card. In Paris, the Imagine R pass costs 392.30 €/year (all zones). Travel by train (SNCF): Carte Avantage Jeune (49 €/year) gives -30% minimum on all TGV.

Q10: What is the Carte Vitale and how do I get one?

The Carte Vitale is the French health insurance card. It allows healthcare professionals to directly apply your reimbursements without you needing to submit claims. Register on ameli.fr (or etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr for international students), then request your Carte Vitale with a photo. The card arrives in 2–4 months. In the meantime, download your provisional rights certificate from your Ameli account.

Q11: Is French difficult to learn for daily life?

French is essential for daily administrative life in France. The main difficulties: bureaucratic vocabulary (préfecture, ANEF, CAF, CPAM), formal/informal registers, and the complexity of administrative forms. Resources: Alliance Française (lessons, all levels), France Langue, university French language centres (CUEF), and free online courses (Duolingo, FUN MOOC). Level B1 is sufficient for most administrative procedures.

Q12: What are the main supermarkets for students in France?

Budget supermarkets: Lidl and Aldi (lowest prices, quality products). Mid-range: E.Leclerc, Intermarché, Carrefour Market. City centre convenience: Monoprix, Franprix, Carrefour City. Organic: Biocoop, Naturalia. For fresh, affordable produce: weekly local markets (marchés). Average monthly food budget: 150–250 €/month for a student cooking at home.

Q13: How does renting work in France?

Renting a private property in France involves: a written lease (contrat de location), a security deposit (one month's rent for unfurnished, two months for furnished), an entry/exit inventory of fixtures (état des lieux), and usually a guarantor (garant). International students use Visale (free, visale.fr) or Garantme (paid) as a substitute guarantor. Home insurance is mandatory from the day of entry.

Daily Life FAQ for International Students in France

Q: Q3: Is home insurance mandatory?

Yes, home insurance (assurance habitation) is mandatory for all tenants in France (law of 6 July 1989). Cost: 30–100 €/year depending on the housing. Minimum coverage: tenant's liability risks (fire, water damage, explosion). Popular providers for students: HEYME (from 24 €/year), LMDE, Luko, MAIF. Provide the certificate to your landlord every year.

Q1: Which phone plan should I choose as a student?

No-contract plans are the most suitable. Rates: Free Mobile (5.99 €/month, 50 GB), B&You/RED/Sosh (~10 €, 80–100 GB), Lyca Mobile (~10 €, 50 GB, international calls).

Q2: How do I subscribe to an internet plan?

Check fibre availability on ariase.com, compare offers (from ~29.99 €/month), and order online. In CROUS residences, Wi-Fi is often included.

Q3: Is home insurance mandatory?

Yes, mandatory for all tenants. Cost: 30–100 €/year. Providers: HEYME (from 24 €/year), LMDE, Luko, MAIF.

Q4: How does the CROUS university restaurant work?

3.30 € per meal (1 € for scholarship students), Monday–Friday. Payment via Izly card. Find locations on crous.fr.

Q5: Student discounts in France

Transport passes, SNCF Carte Avantage Jeune (49 €/year, -30% TGV), museum and cinema reductions. Show your student card.

Q6: Emergency numbers in France

15 (SAMU), 17 (Police), 18 (Firefighters), 112 (European emergency, multilingual). All free from any phone.

Q7: French healthcare system overview

Automatic Social Security affiliation on enrolment → choose a referring doctor → consult → 70% reimbursed by Ameli. Mutuelle covers the rest.

Q8: University library access

Present your student card at the library desk. Access to digital resources via BU Numerique and Gallica (Bibliothèque nationale).

Q9: Public transport in France

Each city has its own network and student pass. Paris: Imagine R (392.30 €/year). SNCF: Carte Avantage Jeune (49 €/year, -30% TGV).

Q10: The Carte Vitale health card

Q11: French language resources

Alliance Française, CUEF university language centres, Duolingo, FUN MOOC. Level B1 sufficient for most administrative procedures.

Q12: Best supermarkets on a student budget

Lidl and Aldi (cheapest), E.Leclerc and Intermarché (mid-range), local markets (fresh produce). Budget: 150–250 €/month.

Q13: Renting in France overview

Lease + security deposit + entry inventory + guarantor (or Visale/Garantme). Home insurance mandatory from day 1.

Daily Life FAQ for International Students in France

Daily Life FAQ for International Students in France

Q1: Which phone plan should I choose as a student?

Q2: How do I subscribe to an internet plan?

Q3: Is home insurance mandatory?

Q4: How does the CROUS university restaurant work?

Q5: Student discounts in France

Q6: Emergency numbers in France

Q7: French healthcare system overview

Q8: University library access

Q9: Public transport in France

Q10: The Carte Vitale health card

Q11: French language resources

Q12: Best supermarkets on a student budget

Q13: Renting in France overview

Official Sources

Conseil expert

Conseil expert

Des questions sans réponse ?

Daily Life FAQ for International Students in France

Daily Life FAQ for International Students in France

Q1: Which phone plan should I choose as a student?

Q2: How do I subscribe to an internet plan?

Q3: Is home insurance mandatory?

Q4: How does the CROUS university restaurant work?

Q5: Student discounts in France

Q6: Emergency numbers in France

Q7: French healthcare system overview

Q8: University library access

Q9: Public transport in France

Q10: The Carte Vitale health card

Q11: French language resources

Q12: Best supermarkets on a student budget

Q13: Renting in France overview

Official Sources

Conseil expert

Conseil expert

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