Foreign students applying for, or renewing, a French student residence permit now have to prove they can access at least €877.50 a month—up from the previous €615 benchmark—under a decree that entered into force on 1 August 2026. The new threshold, equivalent to 47 % of the gross monthly minimum wage (SMIC), is set by Decree 2026-526 of 22 June 2026 and has been incorporated into the government’s Service-Public guidance portal. Officials say the increase brings the subsistence test closer to the real cost of living and responds to criticism from the Cour des Comptes that the old figure was “outdated and unrealistic”, leaving many international students at risk of hardship or undeclared work. The decree also provides for annual indexation so that the amount will rise automatically with inflation and SMIC adjustments, giving universities and applicants clearer visibility. Practically, the change affects three cohorts: first-time visa applicants outside France, students already in the country who must renew their carte de séjour, and Erasmus-style “programme de mobilité” students who stay in France for up to 12 months. Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, scholarship letters, parental guarantees or part-time work contracts, but applicants relying on family support must now supply proof of scheduled monthly transfers covering the full amount. Education-sector recruiters and mobility managers should update offer letters and budgeting tools immediately. Failure to meet the new threshold could lead to refusals or shortened permits, disrupting internship start dates and dual-degree programmes. Employers that use the ‘Passeport Talent — Jeune diplômé’ route should also note the higher subsistence bar when hiring recent foreign graduates. Longer term, observers expect the higher bar to push some students towards destinations such as Germany or the Netherlands, where living-cost requirements remain lower. However, French officials argue that robust social benefits, subsidised campus dining and capped public-transport fares still make France competitive—especially given that many anglophone master’s programmes now waive tuition fees.
