Published on: July 02, 2025 | Article No: 330 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
Every year, thousands of students scramble to find affordable housing before the academic year kicks off. If you’re studying in France, one of the best options is Crous housing — subsidized student residences in nearly every university town.
The CROUS housing campaign 2025-2026 is now open, and the rooms are allocated in in two key phases, — one reserved mainly for scholarship students and a second that’s open to all. Whether you’re a scholarship student or not, this is your shot to secure a room for the 2025–2026 academic year. Don’t keep waiting: decisions are made in batches, and rooms go fast.
Important: To request a Crous housing, you must have completed a Dossier Social Étudiant (DSE) and checked the box requesting accommodation. The deadline to submit the DSE was May 31, 2025. If you missed it, don’t panic — you can still apply during the complementary phase starting in July (more on that below).
Related article, Everything to know about a student accommodation in France?
Phase 1: Main Application Round
This phase is for scholarship students first.
- Application window: 6th May – 1st July, 2025
- How to apply?: Log onto the official Crous platform trouverunlogement.lescrous.fr
- What you can do?: Submit up to 4 housing choices, in the same city or across multiple Crous locations.
- Pro tip: Check your email/SMS on July 1 — that’s when final decisions roll in.
- Important: If you get an offer, confirm it within 48 hours (by July 3, 11:59 PM), and pay the reservation fees — or you’ll lose it.
Key Dates for Phase 1 Allocation Rounds
- Cycle 1: 6th May – 19th June, 2025
- Cycle 2: 20th June – 26th June, 2025
- Cycle 3: 27th June – 3rd July, 2025 → Final round
Note: You’ll be notified via SMS or email if you’ve been matched with a room.
Phase 2: Open to All Students
Didn’t get a spot? Didn’t submit a DSE? No problem — everyone can apply starting 8th July 2025.
- Who’s eligible?: All students — scholarship or not, French or international.
- How to apply?: The same Crous platform, trouverunlogement.lescrous.fr
- What to expect?: Available listings are updated regularly during summer as students move out or cancel.
- Tip: There’s no waitlist, so check the platform often and act fast when you see something
Crous Housing Application Process (Explained simply)
Here’s how the full Crous housing process works, from start to finish:
1. Phase 1 (Main Application Round): Covers three allocation cycles as detailed above. Make your choices and wait for the response.
2. Housing Allocations: On 1st July, you’ll be informed by SMS or email whether you’ve been offered a room.
3. Confirm Within 48 Hours: Got an offer? Confirm and pay the reservation fees 100€ by 3rd July 23h59, or you will lose the spot.
4. If You Didn’t Get a Room: You can apply again in the complementary phase, starting 8th July 2025, open to all.
5. Phase 2 (Complementary Applications): Rooms are still available. You can apply whether or not you submitted a DSE. Socially eligible students still get some priority.
6. Submit Your Application: Only one request per Crous can be made at a time. If you’re eligible, you might get an instant response. Otherwise, your file will be reviewed quickly, and supporting documents may be required.
7. Need Short-Term Housing?: You can also request Crous housing for internships or short-term stays (30+ days). These are usually processed within a few days depending on availability.
Note: Already in a Crous Residence? If you’re already living in Crous housing, you can renew or request changes directly through your account at MesServices.etudiant.gouv.fr, under “Gérer son logement – CitéU.”
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