Manuel Ravier, Housing Information Manager at residenceetudiante.fr · Published on September 18, 2026

The short answer

Home insurance remains mandatory for students receiving need-based grants. While the State does not provide a free policy, grant-holding students have access to preferential rates starting at €3.50 per month. Minimum coverage includes protection against rental risks a prerequisite for finalizing a lease and collecting the keys.

Key takeaways

• The average cost of a low-cost home insurance policy for grant-holding students is €4.50 per month – Source: Student Insurance Barometer, 2026.
• Need-based grant amounts range from €1,454 (tier 0bis) to €6,335 per year (tier 7) – Source: Etudiant.gouv.fr, 2026 academic year.
• The average rent for a private-sector student studio is €580 per month – Source: Meilleursagents.com, 2026 barometer.
• 100% of CROUS managers and private landlords requiring a lease mandate the presentation of an insurance certificate before handing over the keys – Source: Service-Public.fr, 2026 data.
• Of the 1,230 grant-holding students assisted by residenceetudiante.fr in 2026, 74% opted for fee-free monthly payments to avoid paying the annual premium upfront – Source: residenceetudiante.fr internal data, 2026.

About the author

Manuel Ravier assists with the administrative management of student housing at residenceetudiante.fr. He has helped over 4,000 grant-holding students secure their leases and optimize their housing expenses.

Is home insurance mandatory for a student receiving a grant?

Yes. Being a grant recipient does not exempt a student from the legal requirement to have home insurance. Whether the accommodation is in a CROUS university residence or in the private rental sector, proof of insurance covering at least tenant's liability risks must be provided as soon as the keys are handed over.

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