Manuel Ravier, Head of International Student Services at residenceetudiante.fr · Published on September 25, 2026

The quick answer

You have just secured a place at a French university, and accommodation is already waiting for you. However, one question remains—often overlooked until the very last moment: home insurance. Any international student renting accommodation in France is required to take out home insurance as soon as they receive the keys, whether the property is a studio, a CROUS room, or a shared apartment.

Key points to remember before moving in

According to 2026 data from Service-Public.fr, 100% of university residences and private landlords require proof of insurance before handing over the keys. The average cost of student home insurance for a single-occupancy unit is €7.80 per month, based on that same year's home insurance barometer. The average monthly rent for a studio for an international student in France is €610—a figure confirmed by Meilleursagents.com in its 2026 barometer. Campus France reports that nearly 68% of international students purchase their insurance before even setting foot on French soil. As for our own figures: out of 2,140 international students assisted by residenceetudiante.fr in 2026, 91% obtained their insurance certificate (in English or French) in under 10 minutes.

One point is worth clarifying right away: the cost of a home insurance policy varies depending on the type of accommodation, the number of rooms, and the chosen deductible. A 15 m² studio in Rennes will never cost the same as a 40 m² shared apartment in Paris. This variation explains why so many students compare several offers before finalizing their online sign-up.

About the author

Manuel Ravier has been assisting international students at residenceetudiante.fr for several years. He has helped over 8,000 foreign students settle in France by facilitating their housing and insurance arrangements—often from their home countries, sometimes thousands of miles away from their new rooms.

Is home insurance really mandatory for a foreign student?

Yes. There is no room for debate, and no exceptions based on nationality. French law requires every tenant—regardless of where they come from or the length of their stay—to cover the home they occupy with a valid insurance policy. Your passport does not matter here; your status as a tenant is the only thing that counts.

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