INTERNATIONAL STUDENT (OUTSIDE EUROPE): STEPS FOR A STRESS-FREE ARRIVAL

BEFORE ARRIVING IN FRANCE

PRE-ENROLMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Use the Campus France portal to carry out the pre-enrolment: 

https://www.campusfrance.org/fr/candidature-enseignement-superieur-france

Once you have been accepted to a French institute of higher education, they will send you all the information related to your enrolment.

LOOKING FOR ACCOMMODATION

The first condition for settling well into your student life in Reims is finding accommodation!

To best prepare for this step, look at the options on offer as early as possible: CROUS (regional centres for student affairs) residences, privately owned residences, social housing landlords, halls of residence, private leases, intergenerational accommodation, etc.
Find more information at:  www.crous-reims.fr

If you are on an exchange programme or if you are moving as part of an Erasmus+ programme: it will be the receiving institute that will submit the accommodation request to CROUS for you. In some cases, you may receive a pre-reservation from CROUS (find out more from Campus France).

When you are offered CROUS accommodation, you will need to pay €100 to confirm the reservation. This sum will be deducted from your first rent receipt. You will then receive an accommodation reservation confirmation from CROUS.

For free-mover students: accommodation reservations for CROUS can be made remotely. If your reservation is made well in advance, you may receive an accommodation reservation confirmation from CROUS.

At the same time, learn about the existing support for accommodation (housing benefit (APL) from CAF, Visale cover and security deposit from Action Logement  https://www.visale.fr/).

N.B. A confirmation of home insurance will be requested when the keys are handed over. Don’t forget to take out a policy with the insurer of your choice once you’ve found your accommodation.

VISAS

Visit the Campus France portal to learn about the steps you need to take in order to obtain a visa:

https://www.campusfrance.org/fr/visas-et-cartes-de-sejour

JOINING A SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME

To receive social security (healthcare), you have to register at: https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/#/ (unless you already have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)).

An English-language phone number is available: +33 (0)974 753 646

If you are having difficulty using the website or uploading a document, you can call 3646 and ask for an in-person appointment with an advisor from Assurance Maladie.

Once you are registered for health insurance, you may receive a confirmation of rights and then a carte vitale (social security card) and an ameli account (following finalised registration).

ON ARRIVING IN FRANCE

HOME INSURANCE

Don’t forget that to complete your move into your accommodation, you will need to take out home insurance in order to collect the keys.

If you are staying in a CROUS residence, an additional period of two days may be granted to submit the confirmation of home insurance (depending on your residence).

CONFIRMING YOUR ENROLMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Mandatory for students who are not part of an exchange programme/free movers

If you are studying in full-time education, you must obtain a confirmation of having paid the Student and Campus Life Contribution (Contribution de Vie Étudiante et de Campus, CVEC) to confirm your enrolment. This contributes to funding projects designed to welcome and provide social, health, cultural and sports support to all students.

For more information: https://cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr/

OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT

If you do not have a personal bank account, it is recommended to open one in your name. Most banks will ask that you provide the following documents:

• Valid proof of identity (ID card or passport)
• Proof of address issued within the past 3 months: rent receipt from a known organisation, tax assessment, invoice from energy or phone provider, lease contract
• Confirmation of home insurance

If you already have accommodation, you will also need to provide:

• Confirmation of accommodation
• Proof of address issued within the past 3 months from the host (rent receipt, invoice from energy or phone provider)
• Certificate of academic enrolment or student card

SEASON TICKET FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Depending on your requirements, you can sign up for a season ticket with CITURA (bus-tram network). For more information: www.citura.fr

You can also get around on two wheels using the Zebullo self-service bike scheme. For more information: www.zebullo.ecovelo.mobi

For longer journeys, you can also use a 24/7 car-sharing service. For more information:  https://grand-est.citiz.coop

Joining a health insurance scheme

Additional healthcare cover is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended.It allows you to supplement the health insurance reimbursements, in part or in full, depending on the chosen cover and medical procedure. It is your responsibility to take these steps. Ask for a quote first and compare offers from student insurance schemes, insurance companies and your bank, for example.

Depending on your income and under certain conditions, you may be able to receive “Complémentaire Santé Solidaire” (Additional Healthcare Cover). With this, it may cost nothing or less than €1 per day.

For more information: https://www.ameli.fr/assure/droits-demarches/difficultes-acces-droits-soins/complementaire-sante/complementaire-sante-solidaire-qui-peut-en-beneficier-et-comment