A guide on all areas of student life

Understand

French social security comprises several institutions which aim to protect citizens against health risks (sickness, old-age, unemployment, etc.).
Health insurance covers a portion of the costs involved in visits to doctors or specialists, medicine and hospitalization, etc. In France, everyone is required to contribute by signing up to the health insurance scheme. Every person residing in France therefore has a temporary or permanent “social security number”. Please note: there are several schemes that vary according to your situation (see below).
Here is a breakdown of the healthcare costs for a consultation with a doctor (Copyright Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie):

• A consultation: €25
  • Amount reimbursed by social security: €17.50
  • Complementary amount (reimbursed by non-compulsory complementary health insurance): €7.50
  • Lump sum contribution (that the patient must pay out of his or her own pocket): €1

As explained above, the health insurance scheme reimburses a portion of healthcare costs involved in visiting the doctor, for example. Without a social security card, you will still be reimbursed. You will, however, have to pay for the consultation at first and you will then be reimbursed a few days or weeks later when you provide the “medical treatment form” completed by the doctor and given to you at the end of your consultation.
The social security card enables you to avoid completing the treatment form and requests a reimbursement from the health insurance scheme through their computer system. It is faster and more practical, but it is not compulsory!

o Your GP
To be reimbursed, you must follow the “healthcare procedure” recommended by the health insurance scheme: choose a GP, ask your GP for prescription drugs, see a specialist via your GP, etc. You must ask a doctor if they can be your GP. He or she will file an application electronically or ask you to complete a form and send it to the health insurance body. It really is that simple, but you must not forget that doctors are in high demand. They are not obliged to accept you if they already have too many patients.
To find the contact details for doctors in your area, visit these helpful sites: http://www.doctolib.fr and http://www.mondocteur.fr.

Doctors charge several different consultation rates, which depend on their specialty and their area of expertise (sector 1 or 2). However, the health insurance scheme reimburses a fixed portion. You may then have to pay any additional fees.

• Sector 1 doctors charge the health insurance scheme’s base rate: there are no additional fees except in special circumstances (consultations outside fixed working hours, etc.)
• Sector 2 doctors may charge a fee in addition to the consultation base rate (this is often the case in the city center). This will not be reimbursed by the health insurance scheme.

Find/Join

• If you are a student under the age of 28, you will use the “student” scheme. You must become a member of SMERRA or LMDE at the start of each academic year. You can do this directly in some institutions, but if this is not the case, you must contact these organizations yourself to become a member. Please note: within the next few months, legislation plans to transfer the health insurance of certain students to the “general” scheme (the CPAM). Keep an eye out for further information.

• Are you no longer a student and/or over 28 years old? You will use the social security general scheme, i.e. the Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM). Please note: you are responsible for making the necessary changes and taking the necessary steps to “extend your rights” by contacting your local CPAM (this is often based on your area of residence). You must send a form and several supporting documents (bank account details (RIB), ID, etc.). Visit the http://www.ameli.fr website or call +33 811 36 36 46 for more information.

The health insurance scheme reimburses a portion of healthcare costs, but not all of it. You will need to pay the “complementary amount” (and the fixed contribution). To be completely covered, you can sign up to a complementary health insurance scheme, also known as “supplementary health insurance”. This is not compulsory, but strongly advised. You should choose a complementary health insurance scheme according to your needs and the healthcare you will need (glasses, dentures or braces, etc.).

• CMU-C: Complementary universal health insurance
  CMU-C is complementary health insurance offered free of charge to people on low incomes by the health insurance scheme (this is around €720 per month for students living alone).
  The health insurance scheme website explains that “CMU-C provides free care by covering the complementary portion of health costs. Furthermore, CMU-C covers the costs of dental treatment, glasses and hearing aids, etc. In concrete terms, [...] you do not pay for your health costs directly. It pays for any upfront costs.”
  It is also worth noting that CMU-C even pays for the fixed contribution that all patients usually have to pay! It also provides access to reduced rates for electricity, gas and transport.
  For more information, visit: https://www.cmu.fr/cmu-complementaire.php
• ACS: Payment assistance from complementary health insurance
  ACS is reserved for people on low incomes, but which are slightly higher than the allocation limit for CMU-C. It entitles people to financial assistance from the health insurance scheme who then provide complementary health insurance. It exempts you from paying upfront doctor's fees and the fixed contribution.
  Just like CMU-C, it provides access to reduced rates for electricity and gas (but not transport).
  For more information, visit https://www.cmu.fr/acs.php
• Other complementary health insurance:
  If your income is not low enough to qualify you for one of these schemes (CMU-C or ACS), you can sign up to the complementary health insurance of your choice. Once again, please look at the various alternatives and choose the one that best meets your healthcare needs.
  It is worth noting that SMERRA and LMDE offer complementary health insurance in addition to your student social security membership, but this is not compulsory and will not necessarily be arranged when you enroll.
• Good health plans:
  • Each year, the Students Welcome Desk, in partnership with the Métropole de Lyon's health services, publishes a short, practical guide listing all the useful numbers (family planning, dentists, etc.). Download the PDF from the “All the useful documents” section!
  • Once a year, all insurance holders are entitled to a free health check! To receive yours, contact a health examination center in your département and request an appointment (see the contact details below).

Contacts :
Information on health and access to healthcare: The “Bus Info Santé” (“Health Info Bus”)
Health insurance, CMU: CPAM du Rhône
Complementary health insurance for students: SMERRA et LMDE
Contraception advice and STI prevention: Family planning and education centers
University health services: SUMPPS
Psychological prevention (stress, sleep, etc.): Apsytude
Free health checks: Health examination centers in Rhône

Lyon and the surrounding region are bursting with must-see historic sites! Whether you prefer the city or nature, you will be surprised to discover the tourist attractions, historic sites and sports facilities on offer. Thanks to special “student” passes and rates, you can explore the region at minimal cost!

• Culture Pass (3 shows and a cinema ticket for €18): Maison des Etudiants 
• Tourism in the region: Rhône Tourisme 
• Information on tourist attractions, historic sites and culture in the Metropolis of Lyon: ONLYLYON Tourisme & Congrès
• Sports facilities: Office des Sports 

Useful information

Before you start looking for employment, make sure that your residence permit allows you to work.
Usually, a “student” residence permit allows you to work up to 60% (50% if you are Algerian) of the maximum legal working hours (in France, the legal working hours are 35 hours per week).

DIRECCTE is a body that reports to the Ministry of Work, which considers and then provides work permits for people who request them.
If you are a student, your residence permit may include the line “autorise le travail à titre accessoire” (“allowed to work part-time”). In this case, you do not have to request a permit.
For all other cases (apprenticeships, changes to your student status as an employee, etc.), you must request a permit from DIRECCTE. If you are an Algerian citizen, you must request a permit, regardless of your situation and even if you are a student.

There are several types of employment contracts in France. Please note: you are not allowed to work without signing a contract. Read it carefully before signing: it contains a number of elements governing your work (salary, holiday, terms of resignation/dismissal, etc.).

• A temporary work contract for short, ad hoc assignments (a few hours or a few days)
• A fixed-term contract (CDD) for short assignments (a few weeks or months) which end on a set date stipulated in the work contract.
• An open-ended contract (CDI) for long assignments which have no pre-determined end date.

Finding a job:

Several organizations can help you find employment and regularly provide offers and helpful tips. Have a look at CRIJ, which specializes in employment for young people, or the Jobaviz scheme developed by CROUS, which offers job advertisements just for students. Are you an international student? Think about your strengths. Why not look at opportunities in tourism, private tuition for foreign languages, babysitting or hospitality?

• Writing CVs and cover letters: BIJ de Villeurbanne ()
• Support for student entrepreneurial projects: Beelys
• Scheme for finding student employment - Jobaviz : Crous
• Support for international students looking for employment: Yoon

Choosing accommodation

When you are looking for accommodation, this is the first choice you have to make! Should you target specific agencies, who can provide lots of available housing, but who often charge excessive agency fees? Or should you consider available private accommodation between private individuals?
The main thing is to watch out for offers that are either too expensive (a studio at €800/month is far too expensive for the city of Lyon, for example) or too low, because they could be scams. Sometimes, it is simpler to go through agencies who will take care of the administrative procedures. However, the price will always be higher and certain practices are fraudulent. Never pay for a list of available apartments, for example. It is illegal!
It will depend on what you are looking for, your budget and the availability of apartments.

Flat shares enable several unrelated tenants to live together. They have many advantages, especially with regard to fees. In fact, the rent, residence tax, deposit and even your food shopping can be split between the tenants. On the other hand, you must be prepared to live with other people, to enjoy “living together” and to also share responsibilities and the household’s expenses.
You can find available accommodation here: https://www.lacartedescolocs.fr/
And feel free to write posts on the Facebook groups for our universities!

CROUS is a public service which, among other things, offers low-rent student accommodation. For instance, a 9-m2 room costs around €170/month all inclusive, bearing in mind that the bathroom and kitchen are communal. Please be aware that CROUS accommodation is very popular and applications have to be filed in April for the following academic year.
However, there are many private halls of residence, the rent of which is more expensive, but the studios are often new and contain everything you need.
The advantage of student halls of residence is that you live at the heart of the student community yet still have your own place!

Flat shares have no age limit! Many organizations encourage students to try “intergenerational accommodation”. Here, you rent a vacant room in the house of an elderly person. The purpose? Lower rent, but also a wonderful life and sharing experience. See the contacts below.

Understand the procedures/advice

To secure your accommodation, you will need one or more guarantors. This is someone who is accountable for your rent if you encounter financial difficulties. It acts as an additional guarantee for landlords.
If you have trouble finding a guarantor (most agencies will require French guarantors), you can consult the CLE (Student Rental Deposit) and the State will act as your guarantor. This is a scheme managed by CROUS for students:

• who have enough money to pay for accommodation but do not have a guarantor
• who are under 28 years old on 1 September of the year when the lease is signed
• who are over 28 years old if they are researchers or PhD students.

For more information about the application, visit locaviz.fr or your nearest CROUS center.

When you sign for an apartment, each tenant must pay a deposit of one month's rent. This money is protected until the end of your tenancy and may be used if the accommodation has been damaged. If this is not the case, it will be returned to the tenants within three months of moving out.
It is, therefore, very important to pay attention to the initial inventory. Before you move in, you must conduct a survey with a professional to note any wear and tear and the condition of the building. Be very careful, because initial inventories are usually carried out extremely quickly, whereas every mark or damage will be noted in the final inventory. You, therefore, need to make note of all the things that do not look right, no matter how minor they are, as well as any faults you notice, no matter how small. You can bring along a friend or someone you trust if necessary!
It is worth noting that you have several weeks after moving in to make changes to the inventory if you notice any other irregularities.

Residence tax is a tax paid to the municipality. All tenants have to pay it in November if they occupied the accommodation on 1 January of that year, even if they vacate it during that year. The amount is equal to around one month’s rent, but it may vary depending on your accommodation and where it is: the size of the apartment, proximity to public transport and amenities, etc. You should consider putting aside money regularly, so you are prepared to pay it.

Just like health insurance, you must insure your accommodation against various risks (bad weather, flood damage, etc.). This insurance costs, on average, a few dozen euros a year, and can be taken out through various organizations: private insurance companies, banks, etc.

As a tenant, you have many responsibilities (paying rent on time, looking after your apartment and not damaging it, respecting your neighbors, etc.) but you also have rights that are sometimes overlooked. For any queries or disputes concerning your accommodation or your landlord/agency, you can contact ADIL. It is an association of lawyers who can advise you and provide answers to your questions free of charge.

Housing benefit: APL - CAF
CAF (Family Allowance Fund) is an organization that provides housing assistance (APL). This is the main source of assistance for tenants to help them pay their rent. The amount of assistance is calculated according to your financial resources, the rent for your apartment, its size and location.
You can apply for an allowance online, on the caf.fr website.
Please note! The first allowance instalment is not immediate. You must wait for a full month after moving into your accommodation. For example, if you move into an apartment on 15 September, you must wait until the start of November to receive the housing benefit (APL) and you must prove that you have lived there for a whole month (throughout October, in this case).

Contacts :

• Access to housing schemes (Lokaviz, the Student Rental Deposit (CLE), student halls of residence): Crous
• Alternative accommodation, intergenerational accommodation: Pari Solidaire , ESDES Intergénérations 
• Legal advice, rights and responsibilities of tenants ADIL du Rhône
• Social housing: Est Métropole Habitat 
• Accommodation adds, housing for young people: Crij Rhône-Alpes , le CLLAJ 

Getting around Lyon

Public transport is the easiest way to get around Lyon! The network operates in a number of municipalities beyond Lyon and the large choice of transport (bus, metro, tramway, etc.) makes travelling a lot easier.
To get around, there are several rates depending on how often you travel (individual tickets, books of tickets, “evening” tickets or “weekend” tickets, etc.) but you are better off purchasing a pass that gives you unlimited access to the entire TCL network. If you are a student, the pass costs €31.50 per month. You just need to tap your travel card on the reader for each journey. To register, visit an agency (Bellecour or Grange Blanche) or the www.tecely.fr website (please note: the TCL card will cost €5).

Do you prefer the fresh air? You should know that Lyon is very bicycle-friendly, but the city also provides a simple solution for amateur and proficient cyclists: Vélo’v. These open-access bikes are available all over the city. You can collect a bike from one of the terminals and return it to any station once you have finished your journey.
To use Vélo’v, there are many options: a “one-day” ticket costs €1.50 and lets you use the Vélo’v network for 24 hours with unlimited access and the first 30 minutes of each journey are free of charge. After 30 minutes, you will be charged an additional cost.
If you think you will use it a lot, you might want to consider a one-year subscription: for users between 14 and 25 years old, it only costs €15 and lets you use the Vélo’v network with unlimited access and the first 30 minutes of each journey are free of charge.
If you would prefer your own bike, there are many “bike fair” events in Lyon and the surrounding areas. Many organizations also specialize in bike repairs - a practical way to learn a new skill and repair your bike at minimal cost!

Do you need a car from time to time? Consider a car-sharing program: you just need to sign up to access a car-sharing network service, such as Bluely or LPA. You can also reserve a parking space at your destination, which could save you a lot of inconvenience!
Contacts:

• Public transport networks in Lyon: TCL 
• Open-access car rental: Bluely , LPA 
• Optimization tools for getting around: Greater Lyon (ONLYMOOV)
• Organizations specializing in bike repairs and maintenance: La P’tite Rustine 

The French university system enables students to change courses and still complete their diploma. There are many bridges between diplomas, certificate courses and ways of changing your career path. There are also specialists who are there to guide you..

• Common university information and advisory services: SCUIO in your institutions
• Understanding the French higher education system: Campus France
• Website for resources l’ONISEP