How to Rent an Apartment in Paris

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A guide for international students and short-term workers

Renting an apartment in Paris can be a real challenge—especially for foreigners. The city is beautiful, dynamic, and full of opportunity, but the housing market is notoriously tight, competitive, and often confusing for newcomers. Whether you’re an international student or a professional relocating for a short-term mission, here’s what you need to know to navigate the Paris rental scene.

The Challenge: High Demand, Low Supply

Paris has a chronic housing shortage. Attractive, well-located apartments are snapped up quickly, often within hours of being listed. Landlords typically receive dozens of applications for a single property, and they tend to favor long-term tenants with solid French employment contracts—something many foreigners can't provide.

Short stays are even trickier: most traditional leases (bail classique) require a minimum of one year, and subletting is often illegal. This is where platforms and special contracts come into play.

Popular Rental Platforms

Several online platforms have become go-to resources for finding rentals in Paris:

  • SeLoger and Le Bon Coin: The most popular sites for long-term rentals. Offers are posted by both individuals and agencies, but competition is fierce, and listings often disappear quickly.

  • PAP.fr: Focuses on rentals directly from owners, helping you avoid agency fees.

  • Studapart: Tailored to students and young professionals, these platforms simplify the rental process and often cater to non-French speakers.

  • Spotahome, HousingAnywhere: Specialize in furnished rentals for short to mid-term stays. They’re more expensive but easier for foreigners, with English-speaking support and flexible lease lengths.

Flat-sharing in Paris is competitive, but with these platforms and a solid application, you'll have a much better shot at finding a cozy place to live—and maybe new friends too:

  1. Appartager – One of the largest roommate platforms in France

  2. La Carte des Colocs – A map-based site with well-moderated and community-focused listings.

  3. Roomlala – Rooms and homestays available for short to mid-term stays

  4. Colibree – Intergenerational housing, connecting students with seniors at low cost.

  5. LocService – Tenants post their search criteria and landlords contact them directly.

  6. Facebook Groups – Real-time listings like Colocation Paris / Roommates in Paris.

Fees & Service Charges

  • For agency fees, the legal maximum in Pairs is 12 euros per square meter, and only 50% of the cost may be passed on to the tenant

  • Platforms like Spotahome or HousingAnywhere may charge booking fees, usually between 10% and 25% of the first month’s rent.

  • Some landlords will also ask for property management fees or require insurance, which adds to the upfront cost.

What Documents Do You Need?

Landlords in France are very cautious and often ask for a detailed dossier, including:

  • A copy of your passport or ID

  • Proof of income (3 last payslips, work contract, or scholarship confirmation). Good news — at Your Home in Paris, we understand that meeting this requirement can be challenging, especially when relocating from abroad. That’s why we’ve chosen to waive it entirely from our selection process.

  • Recent tax documents (not always applicable for foreigners). Here again, You Home in Paris has a much flexible policy: no need to produce those documents.

  • A French guarantor (or a guarantor service like GarantMe or Visale). Only for stays over 3 months at Your Home in Paris.

  • Insurance

For short stays, many platforms are more flexible. Some accept international guarantors or offer guarantor-free options if you pay upfront.

The Mobility Lease: A Game-Changer

If you're staying in Paris for 1 to 10 months for studies, training, or work placement, the bail mobilité (mobility lease) is ideal. It’s a flexible, no-deposit lease, designed for foreigners and short-term workers. You don’t need a guarantor if you qualify for Visale, and there’s no risk of being stuck in a long-term commitment. Many furnished apartments in Paris now offer this type of lease, especially through specialized platforms.

Want to learn more about the bail mobilité? You’ll find all the official details and eligibility rules on the French government website right here: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F34759

In summary, renting in Paris is possible—but requires preparation, patience, and the right strategy. Make your dossier early, explore platforms that cater to internationals, and look for apartments offering the mobility lease if your stay is short.

At Your Home in Paris, we’re happy to accommodate your booking requests with flexibility and care — just as our policy promises. We truly believe that, together, we can help you find your perfect pied-à-terre in the City of Light!