Two things every Paris newcomer must handle: your carte de séjour (with big new 2026 rules) and CAF housing aid that can knock real money off your rent.
If your visa requires a carte de séjour, apply within 2 months of arrival. VLS-TS long-stay visa holders must complete the online validation within 3 months of arriving.
Proof of income of at least €1,443.11/month (€17,317.39/year) via 3 months of bank statements, accommodation meeting the ~16 m²-per-person standard, and your documents at the biometric appointment. Fee: €225 (tax + stamp).
The CAF pays monthly housing aid to tenants with a lease in their name. A single person in a Paris studio can receive roughly €200–260/month depending on income — it adds up fast.
Go to caf.fr → "Faire une demande de prestation" → "Aide au logement". Non-EU citizens upload their residence permit. You get a numéro allocataire by email, often within minutes. Apply the month you move in — entitlement starts the following month, not retroactively.
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