Long-term apartment rental in Paris: Which type of contract should a student or expat choose?
LetFlat / Rills OÜPublished 2026-04-16Updated 2026-04-16
Are you planning to rent an apartment in Paris for a long time, but are lost in the legal intricacies? French legislation offers several types of contracts: from the classic 3-year contract to the flexible Bail mobilité. In this article, we will look at which type of rental is more profitable for your purposes, how monthly rental housing in Paris differs from standard obligations, and why renting an apartment in the suburbs of Paris may require different terms of the contract.
Main types of contracts in France
When looking for housing, it is important to understand that in France the type of contract depends not only on your wishes, but also on whether the apartment is furnished or not.
1. Classic furnished rental (Bail meublé):
This is the most common request for those who want to rent a studio in Paris for the long term. The contract is for 1 year with automatic renewal.
Plus: Short notice period for departure (only 1 month).
2. Student contract (Bail étudiant):
A type of furnished rental, but strictly for 9 months without renewal. Ideal if you come for the academic year.
3. Mobile contract (Bail mobilité):
An option for those who are interested in renting housing in Paris on a monthly basis (from 1 to 10 months).
Important: This contract cannot be renewed and is intended for interns, travelers and students. The main bonus is that according to the law, no deposit is taken here (dépôt de garantie).
4. Empty apartment (Bail non meublé):
Standard long-term rental of apartments in Paris for 3 years.
Feature: The notice period for departure is usually 3 months (but in Paris, as a “high demand area”, it can be reduced to 1 month).
Paris or suburbs: Is there a difference in contracts?
If your goal is to save money, then renting an apartment in the suburbs of Paris (for example, in Le Vallois or Boulogne-Billancourt) will cost less, but the legal forms of contracts remain the same. The main difference is that in the suburbs, owners are more likely to offer empty apartments for a very long period, while inside Paris, furnished resale apartments predominate.
How to secure a contract for yourself?
To successfully rent a studio in Paris long-term, it is not enough to simply choose the type of contract. The owner must approve your file.
On the LetFlat.net platform we help prepare documents so that they correspond to any type of contract. By using our Digital Dossier, you proactively show the owner that you are aware and ready to formalize, which is critical to protecting your rights as a tenant.
Looking for a suitable option?
Look at the current offers at LetFlat.net - we will select housing with the right type of contract for your needs!