What help is available to pay for a retirement home in France?

Retiring in France can be an attractive option, but the cost of retirement homes (Ehpads or résidences autonomie) may be significant. 

Fortunately, several forms of financial aid are available to help cover these expenses, depending on income, level of dependency, and where you will be staying.

Allocation personnalisée d'autonomie (APA)

The APA en établissement (personalised autonomy allowance in establishments) is available for residents of retirement homes who require assistance with daily living. 

Provided by local departmental councils, this benefit covers the dependency-related portion of care home fees. 

Residents of independent living facilities (résidences autonomie) may apply for APA à domicile instead.

Applications can usually be facilitated by care home staff. The aid is paid directly to the care home, reducing your out-of-pocket costs. 

Contributions depend on income with those earning under €2,799.19 per month in 2025 typically paying only the base fee linked to minimal dependency needs (GIR 5 or 6). 

Ownership of a primary residence does not affect eligibility and applicants are not required to sell their home.

Aide sociale à l’hébergement (ASH)

ASH, or social assistance for accommodation, helps cover accommodation costs in state-run or non-profit retirement homes. 

It is means-tested and available to those aged 65 or over (or 60 and over if unfit for work) with insufficient income to meet care home fees.

To qualify, applicants must contribute up to 90% of their income, keeping at least €124 per month. 

Applications are made through your local mairie. If granted, the support may be reclaimed from the person’s estate after death or earlier if significant funds are received, but there is no obligation to sell a home to qualify.

In assessing an application, the departmental council may investigate the financial situation of close family. 

Under French law, adult children and spouses have a legal duty (obligation alimentaire) to contribute to the basic living requirements of elderly relatives based on their means. 

If disagreements arise, a family court judge may determine the contribution amount.

Aide personnalisée au logement (APL)

Residents living in accredited sheltered accommodation may also be eligible for APL (housing benefit), provided by the caisse d’allocations familiales (Caf). 

This benefit can reduce rent or mortgage payments or may be combined with ASH to pay for care home fees. 

If the retirement home does not have a fee agreement with the council, the allocation de logement sociale (social housing allowance) may apply instead. Contact your local Caf office to apply.

Tax relief on care costs

Residents in care homes can claim a 25% income tax reduction on costs related to dependency and accommodation, after deducting APA and ASH benefits. 

This applies up to €10,000 in annual expenses per person, offering a maximum reduction of €2,500. For couples, this doubles to €5,000.

Those who remain in their homes and hire registered personal assistance can claim a 50% tax credit on eligible service costs, with limits higher for over-65s or people with disabilities.

Tax reductions

Depending on your income, if you are aged over 75 and move permanently into a retirement home you may be exempt from paying taxe foncière on your former main residence if it remains unoccupied. 

For those aged between 65 and 75, a €100 reduction may instead be applied for. 

Private dependency insurance

Some individuals take out assurance dépendance, private insurance that provides monthly payouts or allowances to cover costs such as home help or care home fees in the event of dependency. 

This is in addition to state aid and policies vary in cost and coverage.

Foreign residents’ eligibility

An expert from the mairie of Nice told The Connexion that foreign nationals can access care homes and financial aid if they are legal residents in France. 

For aide sociale, you will usually have to prove residency in the department for at least three months and non-EU nationals will require a carte de séjour.