Last verified: October 2026 — Sources: Service-Public.fr, Ministry of National Education, CAF
In France, education is compulsory from the age of 3 to 16, regardless of the child’s nationality or the parents’ immigration status. From 16 to 18, young people must be in some form of education, training or employment. This guide covers the structure of the French school system, the enrolment process for foreign families, UPE2A language classes and available financial support.
Structure of the French education system
| Stage | Age | Year groups | School type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternelle (nursery) | 3–5 | Petite, Moyenne, Grande Section | École maternelle |
| Élémentaire (primary) | 6–10 | CP, CE1, CE2, CM1, CM2 | École élémentaire |
| Collège (lower secondary) | 11–14 | 6e, 5e, 4e, 3e | Collège |
| Lycée (upper secondary) | 15–17 | 2nde, 1re, Terminale | Lycée général, technologique or professionnel |
State education is free and secular (laïque). Private schools also exist, either under contract with the state (subsidised) or independent, with varying tuition fees.
Right to schooling: no nationality requirement
Every child living in France has the right to attend school, regardless of their nationality or the immigration status of their parents. This right is guaranteed by the Code de l’éducation. A town hall (mairie) cannot refuse enrolment on the grounds that parents lack a residence permit, have no formal proof of address, or that the child does not speak French.
A child arriving in France mid-year must be enrolled immediately.
Enrolling in maternelle and primary school (ages 3–10)
Step 1: Register at the town hall (mairie)
Go to the school services desk at the mairie for your area of residence. Registration usually takes place between March and June before the September term, but children can be enrolled at any time during the school year.
Documents required:
- Proof of identity for the parent and child (livret de famille, passport or birth certificate — with a sworn translation if not in French).
- Recent proof of address (utility bill, rental agreement; in exceptional cases, a sworn statement — attestation sur l’honneur — may be accepted).
- The child’s vaccination record (mandatory vaccines in France must be up to date).
Step 2: Assessment (children aged 6 and above)
The mairie will direct the family to specialist teachers or the CASNAV (Centre académique pour la scolarisation des élèves allophones nouvellement arrivés), which assesses:
- The child’s level of spoken and written French.
- Skills in other languages (especially English).
- Previous academic achievement (particularly in mathematics).
Depending on the results, the child will join a mainstream class (CP to CM2) or a UPE2A class (a dedicated unit for newly arrived pupils who do not speak French). Children under 6 are enrolled directly in maternelle without a prior assessment.
Step 3: Final enrolment at the school
With the certificate of registration issued by the mairie, go to the assigned school. Bring the certificate and the vaccination record. The head teacher completes the admission.
Enrolling in collège and lycée (ages 11–18)
- Collège (11–14): contact the DSDEN (Direction des services départementaux de l’Éducation nationale) or your local collège. A placement test determines the year group and whether UPE2A support is needed.
- Lycée (15–17): enrolment is mandatory for those under 16. Young people aged 16–18 arriving in France may be directed to a vocational lycée, a CAP programme, or the MLDS (Mission de lutte contre le décrochage scolaire).
- Unaccompanied minors (MNA): minors in the care of ASE (Aide sociale à l’enfance) have the same right to schooling.
UPE2A classes: language support
UPE2A (Unité pédagogique pour élèves allophones arrivants) classes are designed for pupils who speak little or no French. They are available from primary school through to lycée.
- Teaching time: 12 to 15 hours of French per week, alongside gradual integration into a mainstream class.
- Typical duration: one year, renewable depending on the pupil’s needs.
- Goal: full integration into a mainstream class as quickly as possible.
- Pupils are assessed regularly and may receive ongoing language support over several years.
Schools provide a bilingual welcome booklet that explains the education system in several languages.
Mandatory vaccinations for school enrolment
Since 2018, France requires 11 mandatory vaccinations for children born from January 2018 onwards: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae b, hepatitis B, pneumococcal disease, meningococcal C, measles, mumps and rubella. If your child was vaccinated abroad, show their vaccination record to a doctor, who will check equivalence and administer any missing doses.
Financial aid
Allocation de rentrée scolaire (ARS) — back-to-school allowance
A yearly payment made by the CAF in August to low-income families:
| Child’s age | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| 6–10 | €426.87 |
| 11–14 | €450.41 |
| 15–18 | €466.02 |
Eligibility: household income below the thresholds (€28,956 for 1 child, €35,638 for 2 children, €42,320 for 3 children — based on 2024 income). Non-EU nationals need a valid residence permit.
Collège and lycée scholarships
- Collège scholarship: €108 to €486/year depending on income. Apply online via Scolarité Services or at the school office.
- Lycée scholarship: €441 to €960/year. Same application process.
Other support
- School meals (cantine): fees are often income-based. Check with your local CCAS (Centre communal d’action sociale).
- School transport: in many regions, transport to school is free or heavily subsidised.
- School supplies: charities such as Secours populaire, Emmaüs and the Red Cross distribute free supply kits.
EU vs non-EU differences
| Aspect | EU/EEA/Swiss nationals | Non-EU nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Right to schooling | Yes, unconditional | Yes, unconditional (regardless of parents’ immigration status) |
| Mairie registration | Same procedure | Same procedure |
| ARS and scholarships | Eligible if residency conditions are met | Valid residence permit required |
| UPE2A | Available if French level is insufficient | Available if French level is insufficient |
What to do if enrolment is refused
A town hall cannot refuse a child’s enrolment on grounds of nationality, the parents’ immigration status, or the child’s lack of French. If you face a refusal:
- Request a written, reasoned refusal.
- Contact the DSDEN for your département.
- Refer the matter to the Défenseur des droits (national ombudsman).
- If necessary, file an urgent application (référé) before the administrative court.
Related guides
- Health insurance in France
- Titre de séjour in France
- Cost of living in France 2026
- Social security number in France
- Your first 30 days in France
Official sources
- Service-Public.fr — Enrolling a child from abroad in primary school
- Circular of 2 October 2012 — Schooling for allophone pupils
- CAF — Back-to-school allowance
Conditions, amounts and procedures may change. Always check official sources and your local town hall for your specific situation.