Estimate your APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) based on rent, location, and household income.
How is the APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) calculated?
APL is calculated based on your rent (capped by zone), a fixed charge allowance (forfait charges), and your personal participation which depends on your income. The formula is: APL = Capped Rent + Charges Allowance - Personal Participation. The actual calculation is complex and handled by the CAF.
What are the geographic zones for APL?
France is divided into 3 zones for housing aid: Zone 1 covers the Paris/Île-de-France region with the highest rent ceilings (~€319/month for single). Zone 2 covers large cities (Lyon, Marseille, etc.) with moderate ceilings (~€277/month). Zone 3 covers all other areas with the lowest ceilings (~€260/month).
Who is eligible for APL?
APL is available to tenants, residents of student housing, and residents of retirement homes. The housing must be your primary residence, meet minimum standards, and the landlord must have signed an APL agreement (convention APL). There is no age restriction, and students are eligible.
What is the Visale guarantee and does it affect APL?
Visale is a free rent guarantee provided by Action Logement that acts as a guarantor for tenants under 30 or in precarious employment. Having Visale does not affect your APL eligibility or amount. They are complementary benefits that can be combined.
Compliance: This calculator uses official French tax rates for 2025. Results are indicative — for complex situations, consult a tax professional.
How the CAF calculates your monthly rent assistance based on income, rent, and location
What is the APL and who can get it?
APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) is a monthly payment from the CAF to help you pay rent. It is available to tenants, students, and people paying a mortgage, as long as the property is your main home and has an agreement with the state (conventionné). French citizens and legal foreign residents can both apply.
How much APL can you receive?
The amount depends on your income, rent, household size, and where you live. In Paris (zone 1), a single person paying €700 rent with a net income of €12,000 per year might receive around €250 per month. In smaller towns (zone 3), the same person paying €500 rent could receive about €200. The CAF recalculates your APL every three months using your latest earnings.
What are the three housing zones?
France is split into three zones for housing aid. Zone 1 is Paris and its close suburbs. Zone 2 covers cities with more than 100,000 people and the rest of Île-de-France. Zone 3 is everywhere else. Rent ceilings are highest in zone 1 (about €319 for a single person) and lowest in zone 3 (about €262). Your APL is calculated on your actual rent up to that ceiling.
Is APL paid to you or to your landlord?
In most cases, the APL is paid directly to your landlord (bailleur), who then reduces your rent by that amount. For example, if your rent is €600 and your APL is €200, you only pay €400 to your landlord each month. In some social housing situations, the payment goes to the housing body instead.
Can students receive APL?
Yes. Students renting a conventionné flat can apply for APL regardless of whether they are French or international students. A student in a studio paying €450 per month in Lyon might receive about €150–€200 in APL. Note: if your parents still claim you as a dependant on their tax return, your APL amount may be reduced.
How do you apply for APL?
Apply online at caf.fr or at your local CAF office. You will need your rental contract (bail), landlord details, proof of income (or a student certificate), your bank details (RIB), and your numéro fiscal. Processing takes about one month. APL is not backdated — it starts from the month after your application.
Is APL taxable income?
No. APL is completely tax-free. You do not declare it on your income tax return, and it does not count towards your revenu fiscal de référence. It also does not affect your eligibility for other benefits like the Prime d'activité or RSA.
DGFiP-Aligned: Based on 2025 DGFiP rates and thresholds. For personal advice, speak to a qualified expert-comptable (chartered accountant).
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current French tax rates and thresholds for the 2025 tax year. It does not constitute professional tax, financial, or legal advice. Your actual liability may differ depending on your individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified tax adviser before making financial decisions. Read our terms
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