How CAF calculates your APL, step by step. Official formula, rates by zone, and free simulator.
Free simulation based on official CAF 2026 rates
APL is calculated by CAF according to a formula defined by the French Housing and Construction Code (article R832-2). The amount depends on 4 parameters: your rent (capped), a charge allowance, your resources and your household composition.
Your actual rent, up to the ceiling for your APL zone
Fixed amount added to cover rental charges
Your share, calculated based on your income
The personal contribution (PC) is itself calculated based on your income, with a progressive effort rate. The lower your income, the higher the APL. A scholarship student with no income will have a minimal PC.
These ceilings determine the maximum rent amount considered in the calculation. If your rent exceeds the ceiling, only the ceiling is used — the excess remains at your expense.
| Household composition | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single person | 279.75 EUR | 245.15 EUR | 226.39 EUR |
| Couple without children | 338.28 EUR | 297.42 EUR | 274.17 EUR |
| Household + 1 dependent | 390.04 EUR | 341.87 EUR | 316.28 EUR |
| Per additional person | +56.33 EUR | +49.49 EUR | +45.15 EUR |
Source: Decree of 30 December 2025 on personal housing aid calculation — CAF 2026 Rates
This allowance is the same regardless of your geographic zone. It is added to the capped rent in the APL calculation base, even if your actual charges are different.
Rent: 650 EUR/month. Capped rent: 279.75 EUR. Charge allowance: 62.07 EUR. Income: 0 EUR (scholarship student). Estimated APL: ~235 EUR/month. Remaining cost: ~415 EUR.
Rent: 800 EUR/month. Capped rent: 297.42 EUR. Charge allowance: 73.17 EUR. Household income: 24,000 EUR/year. Estimated APL: ~120 EUR/month. Remaining cost: ~680 EUR.
Rent: 450 EUR/month. Capped rent: 316.28 EUR. Charge allowance: 73.17 EUR. Income: 14,000 EUR/year. Estimated APL: ~250 EUR/month. Remaining cost: ~200 EUR.
The R0 parameter (pronounced "R zero") is the income threshold below which you receive maximum APL. In 2026, this parameter has not been increased (Decree No. 2025-1401 of 28 December 2025), meaning that more households see their APL decrease as inflation pushes their nominal income beyond R0.
In practice, if your income is below R0, you receive the maximum APL for your zone and household composition. Above that, your personal contribution increases progressively according to an effort rate.
APL amounts were increased by +0.9% on 1 January 2026, after the abandonment of the freeze initially planned by the Bayrou government. This increase applies to rent ceilings and the charge allowance.
For a recipient receiving 200 EUR/month in APL, this increase represents approximately +1.80 EUR/month. Modest, but accumulated over 12 months this still represents more than 20 EUR in additional purchasing power.
APL is calculated using the formula: APL = (Capped rent + Charge allowance) x Coverage rate - Personal contribution. Rent is capped according to your zone (279 EUR in zone 1, 245 EUR in zone 2, 226 EUR in zone 3 for a single person). Your N-2 tax income (2024) determines your personal contribution.
CAF uses your reference tax income from year N-2 (2024 for a 2026 application). Included: salaries, activity income, pensions, unemployment benefits. Excluded: RSA, activity bonus, student grants, AAH. If your income has dropped by more than 10%, you can request a recalculation based on current income.
Yes, the APL zone is the most determining factor. France is divided into 3 zones: zone 1 (Paris and 68 neighbouring municipalities), zone 2 (major urban areas with over 100,000 inhabitants), zone 3 (rest of the territory). Rent ceilings and rate scales vary significantly between zones.
The charge allowance is a fixed amount added to rent in the APL calculation. In 2026: 62.07 EUR/month for a single person, 73.17 EUR for two people, +11.20 EUR per additional person. This allowance is the same regardless of geographic zone.
Yes. Since 2021, CAF recalculates APL every 3 months based on your income from the last 12 months (real-time calculation). Any change in circumstances (employment, job loss, birth) must be declared within 30 days on caf.fr for immediate recalculation.
Yes, and it is even recommended. Our simulator allows you to estimate your APL before committing, by entering the expected rent, your zone and your income. This helps you assess your actual remaining costs and compare different housing options.
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