Living Expenses in France for International Students: A Complete Cost Guide for 2026

France has become one of the top choices for students heading abroad, and that includes a growing number from India, drawn in by globally ranked universities, a rich cultural backdrop, and a standard of living that's hard to match at the price. Still, before you commit to studying in France, it's worth getting a real handle on what life there will actually cost you.

This guide walks through living expenses in France for international students, breaks down what studying in France costs Indian students specifically, covers student visa fees, and looks at MBBS tuition for Indian students as well.

Why Study in France?

France's universities and business schools carry serious weight internationally; degrees from here are widely recognised, and students gain access to strong academics, real research opportunities, and a genuinely multicultural learning environment.

A few reasons it keeps coming up as a top pick:

• Tuition at public universities is refreshingly affordable
• Career prospects after graduation are solid
• Plenty of programs are taught entirely in English
• Public transport is excellent and easy to navigate
• Healthcare quality is high

For Indian students in particular, government initiatives supporting international education and post-graduation work have only made the country more appealing in recent years.

Living Expenses in France for International Students

Costs shift quite a bit depending on the city you're in, how you live, and the kind of accommodation you choose. Here's a rough monthly breakdown of the expenses:

Estimated monthly budget:

• Paris: €1,200–€1,800
• Other French cities: €800–€1,200

None of these numbers are fixed, of course. Students who opt for university housing, cook more than they eat out, buy a student transit pass, and actually use the discounts available to them tend to land well below the higher end of these ranges.

Accommodation Costs

For most students, housing eats up the biggest chunk of the budget.

University residences - government-backed and by far the cheapest route: roughly €250–€600 a month.

Private apartments - more freedom, but you pay for it. In Paris, expect €800–€1,400; elsewhere in the country, €500–€900 is more typical.

Food and Daily Expenses

Cooking at home makes a real difference here. Rough monthly numbers:

• Groceries: €150 - €250
• Student cafeteria meals: €3 - €5
• A restaurant meal: €15 - €25
• Coffee: €2 - €4

Most universities run cafeterias that serve solid, affordable meals, which helps keep this line item under control.

Transportation Costs

France's public transport network is genuinely one of the best in Europe, and students get discounted passes for metro, bus, tram, and regional trains alike. Expect to spend somewhere between €30 and €80 a month getting around.

Healthcare and Insurance

Once you've registered properly, international students studying in France can access the public healthcare system. A lot of students also pick up supplementary insurance on top of that, just to keep out-of-pocket costs down if something unexpected comes up; this usually runs €20–€50 a month. It's a small add-on that's worth having.

Cost of Study in France for Indian Students

Tuition is the other half of the budget equation, and it depends heavily on whether you're looking at a public or private institution.

Public universities - tuition here is genuinely affordable:

• Bachelor's: €2,850 - €3,000 a year
• Master's: €3,900 - €4,000 a year

Scholarships and fee waivers are often available for eligible international students, too, so it's worth checking before assuming the sticker price is final.

Private universities and business schools - a different story altogether, typically running €8,000 - €25,000+ per year.

Even with these variations, France still comes out more affordable than many of the other popular study destinations once you weigh tuition against overall living costs.

City-Wise Living Expenses

France Student Visa Fees

Anyone planning to study in France long-term will need a long-stay student visa, and the costs generally include:

• The France student visa application fee itself
• Campus France processing charges
• Service charges, if you go through an authorised visa application centre

On top of that, budget for passport documentation, biometrics, travel insurance, and any translation or certification your documents might need. Fees do shift over time, so it's worth double-checking the current requirements before you apply rather than relying on older figures.

 Roughly what that adds up to for Indian applicants:

• Long-stay visa fee: €50 for applicants going through the Études en France (EEF) platform, which covers India, well below the standard €99 charged to non-EEF applicants
• Campus France procedure fee: around ₹18,500, paid when setting up your EEF file
• CVEC (student life contribution): roughly €105, paid once you arrive and enrol
• Proof of financial resources: at least €615 a month for the length of your stay, around €7,380 for a full academic year, shown through bank statements, a scholarship letter, or a sponsor's documentation

MBBS in France for Indian Students: Fees

Medical education in France carries a strong reputation, but the path to get there looks quite different from what students may be used to elsewhere. Strong academics and language requirements are non-negotiable, since most training happens in French.

Rough annual tuition:

• Public medical universities: around €2,850–€4,000
• Private institutions: considerably more

Beyond tuition, factor in accommodation, food, insurance, books, lab costs, and general living expenses. Admission is competitive, so it pays to research the requirements thoroughly before applying.

Beyond medicine, popular options include engineering (especially aerospace and computer engineering), luxury and fashion management, culinary arts, and data science, many offered in English at the master's level, unlike French-medium fields like medicine. 

Tips to Reduce Living Expenses in France

A few habits go a long way toward keeping costs manageable:

• Apply early for university accommodation; the good, cheap options fill up fast
• Cook more, eat out less
• Get a student transportation pass
• Take advantage of student discounts on museums, cinemas, and other cultural spots
• Look into part-time work, if your visa allows it
• Keep a monthly budget and actually track where the money goes

Is France Affordable for Indian Students?

Yes, and compared to several other major study destinations, it offers a genuinely good balance between education quality and cost. Prices will shift depending on the city and how you choose to live, but with some planning, France stays well within reach for most students. Government-backed universities, student housing, subsidised meals, and transport discounts all help keep the overall bill lower than you might expect. 

If the upfront costs still feel out of reach, students do not have to stop preparing to pursue higher education in France; they can turn to an education loan with Student Cover to bridge the gap, covering tuition, living expenses, and other costs so that finances don't end up being the reason a good opportunity slips by. 

Education Loan Assistance 

Planning to study in France but worried about how you'll fund it? You're not alone; tuition, living costs, and visa-related expenses can add up quickly, and for most students, education loans are what make studying abroad actually possible. Student Cover is built to simplify exactly that part of the journey by granting education loans to students from 15+ lending partners, which include Public Banks, Private Banks, and NBFCs.Student Cover helps students pursue higher education in France if the upfront costs still feel out of reach. At Student Cover, we offer Collateral and Non-Collateral Loans for up to ₹1cr  at 10.75%. Processing time for the collateral loan option will be 10-12 days, whereas for non-collateral, it just takes 5-7 days.

Final Thoughts

Getting your finances sorted early is one of the smartest things you can do before studying abroad. Once you have a clear picture of tuition, accommodation, healthcare, transportation, and daily costs, the rest of the transition tends to go a lot more smoothly.

Whatever you're trying to figure out- tuition costs, visa fees, monthly living expenses, or MBBS fees specifically- having a solid financial plan means you can spend less time worrying about money and more time focused on your studies.

FAQs

1. What are the average living expenses in France for international students? 

Most students spend between €800 and €1,800 a month, depending on the city, accommodation, and lifestyle.

2. What is the cost of study in France for Indian students? 

Public universities are notably cheaper than private ones; annual fees vary by course and institution, with private schools charging significantly more.

3. What are the French student visa fees? 

Budget for the visa application fee plus any Campus France or visa centre service charges. Check the current fee structure before applying, since these change.

4. What is the cost of living in France for international students? 

Annually, this typically works out to €10,000–€18,000, depending on the city and how you spend.

5. What are the MBBS fees for Indian students in France? 

Public university tuition is more affordable than private options, but remember to also budget for living expenses, insurance, books, and other academic costs.