Settling in Paris

The Imagine R Student Pass is the annual transport pass for students in Île-de-France. It allows unlimited travel across all zones of the Île-de-France public transport network, including métro, RER, bus, tramway and Transilien trains. This is usually the best option for students who use public transport regularly. The pass is reserved for students under 26 years old who live in Île-de-France and are enrolled in an eligible higher education or post-secondary programme. Students may be asked to provide proof of enrollment for the current academic year.

The pass is valid for 12 months. Students can usually choose the starting month of the pass, such as 1 September, 1 October, 1 November, 1 December or 1 January, depending on what is most convenient for them. For the 2026-2027 academic year, applications are open until 30 April 2027.

For the 2026-2027 year, the Imagine R Student package is listed at €401.30 per year, including application fees. It can be paid in one payment or in 9 monthly instalments. If you choose automatic monthly payment, the instalment is usually taken around the 5th of each month.

Students usually apply online through the Île-de-France Mobilités website. They may need to provide personal information, a recent ID photo, proof of student status, such as a certificate of enrollment for the current academic year, and payment details. If the student is a scholarship holder, proof of scholarship status may also be required.

After the application is processed, first-time subscribers usually receive their Imagine R pass by post, already loaded with the annual pass. If the card does not arrive after the expected processing and delivery time, students should contact Île-de-France Mobilités or check their application space. In some cases, it may be possible to collect the card in person from a designated service point or station.

Applications can take time to process. The official website currently indicates a processing time of around 10 days, but students should apply early, especially at the beginning of the academic year and before classes start.

You can check for more information and apply from here. 

Traditional French banks can be useful for students who prefer in-person assistance or need support with administrative procedures. Major banks include BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, LCL, Caisse d’Epargne, and Banque Populaire.

Digital banks and money transfer services, such as Revolut, Wise, and N26, can also be practical for daily payments, receiving money from abroad, currency exchange, or as a temporary solution while opening a traditional French bank account.

Before choosing an account, compare monthly fees, bank card costs, withdrawal limits, international payment conditions, and any student offers. Students should also confirm that the account can be used for the administrative procedures they need.

Requirements vary depending on the bank, but students are commonly asked to provide:

• Passport or national identity card
• Visa or residence permit, if applicable
• Proof of address in France
• Student card or certificate of enrollment
• French phone number and email address

The main mobile operators in France are Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile. They offer different types of mobile plans depending on your needs, budget and data usage. Monthly plans typically range from €15–€40

There are also low-cost brands linked to the main operators. Sosh is linked to Orange, RED by SFR is linked to SFR, and B&You is linked to Bouygues Telecom. 

Before choosing a plan, students should compare prices, mobile data, international calls, roaming in Europe, cancellation conditions, and SIM or eSIM options.

France has a public healthcare system called Assurance Maladie. International students usually need to register for French social security after arriving in France and completing their university enrollment.

Registration is free and is done online through the dedicated platform for international students: etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr. Students need to create an account, fill in their personal information, upload the required documents and follow the progress of their file online.

After the file is accepted, students may first receive a provisional certificate. Later, once the registration is fully validated, they can download an attestation de droits, which proves that they are covered by French health insurance. Students should keep this document, as it can be used while waiting for the physical Carte Vitale.

The Carte Vitale is the French health insurance card. It does not mean that healthcare is completely free, but it makes reimbursements easier and faster when students go to a doctor, pharmacy, laboratory or other healthcare provider.

If there is a problem or delay, students can contact Assurance Maladie by phone at 3646 from France, or +33 1 84 90 36 46 from abroad. English speakers can also contact +33 9 74 75 36 46 to get assistance in English.

French public health insurance usually reimburses only part of medical costs. A mutuelle is a complementary health insurance that can cover part or all of the remaining costs, depending on the plan.

For most students, having a mutuelle is not mandatory, but it can be useful, especially for dental care, glasses, specialist appointments, hospitalization or higher medical expenses. Students should compare prices, coverage and reimbursement conditions before subscribing.

Some examples of student or general mutuelle providers in France include LMDE, HEYME, MGEN, Harmonie Mutuelle, Alan, and Aésio Mutuelle.

Students with limited financial resources can also check whether they are eligible for Complémentaire santé solidaire. Complémentaire santé solidarie (CSS) is a public complementary health insurance scheme for people with modest resources.

Paris 1 students can use the Service de Santé Étudiante (SSE), the university student health service. This service is separate from Ameli / Assurance Maladie. It is a university health service that helps students access medical advice, prevention, psychological support and health-related guidance during their studies.

To use the service, students should usually book an appointment online through AppFine. When going to the appointment, students should bring:

• student card or certificate of enrollment
• Carte Vitale, if they already have it
• attestation de droits, if they do not have their Carte Vitale yet
• mutuelle certificate, if they have one
• any useful medical documents related to their situation

If students cannot find an appointment online or are not sure which service they need, they can contact the SSE by email at: sante-etudiante.sse@u-paris.fr

When writing to the SSE, students should include:

• full name
• student number
• phone number
• university: Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
• programme and year of study
• reason for the request

For psychological support, students can also book an appointment with the SSE psychologists. These appointments can be useful for stress, anxiety, adaptation difficulties, loneliness, academic pressure, personal problems or any situation affecting mental wellbeing.

For more information please refer to the University's Health Services page.

Students who require study or examination accommodations should contact the Relais Handicap as soon as their administrative enrollment is complete, or whenever a health condition begins to affect their studies during the academic year. As university deadlines may apply, requests should be made without delay.

The first step is to schedule an individual and confidential appointment with a disability adviser to discuss the situation and assess the support needed.

The following documents may be requested:

• a student card or certificate of enrollment;
• an MDPH decision, if applicable;
• any previous accommodation decisions issued during secondary school or higher education.

A medical file must then be prepared, followed by an appointment with a doctor from the Student Health Service (SSE). The doctor will assess the situation and recommend any appropriate academic accommodations.

The service should preferably be contacted by email at handi@univ-paris1.fr. It is also available by phone at 01 89 68 52 12, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

CROUS restaurants and cafeterias are usually the cheapest option for students in France. They are university food services located on or around university campuses, as well as in student areas. In a restaurant universitaire, students can usually get a full meal. In cafeterias, students can often find sandwiches, pasta, salads, snacks, coffee, and takeaway options. 

To eat at CROUS student prices, students need an active Izly account, which is the student payment system used by CROUS. It is also useful to check the CROUS Paris website or map to find the closest restaurants and cafeterias to your campus.

From 4 May 2026, CROUS states that the €1 meal is available for all students in CROUS restaurants and, when possible, in CROUS cafeterias. CROUS Paris also explains that the €1 offer is limited to one meal per service and that the rest of the cafeteria/snacking offer remains available at the displayed price.

A CROUS meal can usually include a main dish and side items, depending on the location and formula. CROUS Paris explains that in university restaurants, meals work with a 6-point menu system, where the main dish counts for 4 points and students complete the meal with other items.

Please keep in mind that conditions may change. Therefore, it is important to check the official CROUS Paris website for current prices, eligibility rules, and opening hours. 

Many museums and monuments in Paris offer free or reduced admission for young people. In many cases, visitors under 26 who are citizens or legal residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) are eligible for free admission to national museums and monuments. Some museums also offer student discounts, free entry for visitors under 18, or free admission on selected days.

Before purchasing a ticket, always check the museum’s official website and look for sections such as Free Admission, Reduced Rates, Tarifs, Billetterie, or Exemptions. Free admission may apply only to permanent collections, and some museums require visitors to reserve a free ticket in advance.

The ISIC (International Student Identity Card) is an internationally recognized student ID. It is not mandatory, as your Paris 1 student card is usually sufficient to access many student discounts in France. However, an ISIC card may be useful if you travel frequently or want access to international student offers.

ISIC provides access to discounts on travel, shopping, culture, entertainment, software, online services, and, in some cases, amusement parks and events. It can also be used to verify your student status internationally. As offers vary by country and change regularly, students should check the official ISIC website or app before purchasing a card or using a discount.

You can apply for and purchase an ISIC card on the official ISIC website. 

Many brands and service providers offer student discounts through their websites, apps, loyalty programs, or in-store services. Before making a purchase, students should check whether a student rate or special offer is available. Discounts may apply to clothing, technology, software, streaming services, food, transportation, and other subscriptions. Examples may include Spotify Premium Student, YouTube Premium Student, Microsoft 365 Education, Google One AI Premium for Students, and offers from clothing and technology brands.

A useful way to find student discounts is through verification platforms such as UNiDAYS, Student Beans, or ISIC. After verifying their student status with a university email address, student card, or certificate of enrollment, students can view available offers from participating brands and services. Available discounts may vary by country and change over time.