According to Euronews, citing a source at the Family Allowances Fund (CAF), the issue is foreign students from outside the EU who do not receive state scholarships based on social criteria. Under current plans, this criterion will be key: without a scholarship, access to APL will be closed to them.
The measure has already been enshrined in the budget
The decision is included in the French budget law for 2026 and was approved by the Constitutional Council at the beginning of the year. The authorities explain the reform by the need to reduce public spending.
At the same time, parliamentary discussions emphasized that the state does not intend to revise the already “acquired rights” of aid recipients. However, the final details will be determined by a separate decree, which, according to a CAF representative, may be published just before the measure comes into force.
Who will be affected
It is estimated that students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland who are not scholarship holders will fall under the restrictions. This is approximately 100,000 people across France.
Experts and student organizations warn: the effect could be sensitive. According to the Federation of Student Associations (FAGE), around 22% of students live on less than €100 a month after rent. Almost 38% have less than 150 euros a month for food, transportation and maintaining a social life. As a result, every second student lives on less than 200 euros a month after paying the rent.
The reform became part of the Finance Law for 2026 and has already drawn criticism from the opposition and civil society organizations. They point to the risk of worsening the situation of international students, especially in major cities where rental costs remain high.
However, until July 1, 2026, the current rules continue to apply without change.
