The French government has announced plans to significantly raise tuition fees for international students from outside the European Union, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from unions and student organizations. The proposal, reported by multiple French media outlets on April 22, 2026, aims to increase fees for non-EU students at public universities, potentially from current levels of around 2,770 euros per year for a bachelor's degree to several thousand euros more.
According to the Ministry of Higher Education, the measure is intended to better reflect the cost of education and to generate additional revenue for the university system. However, unions such as the Fédération Syndicale Étudiante (FSE) and the Union Nationale des Étudiants de France (UNEF) have condemned the plan, arguing it will deter international students and undermine France's reputation as a welcoming destination for higher education.
Student groups have called for protests in the coming weeks, warning that the fee hike could particularly affect students from developing countries. The government has not yet specified the exact new fee amounts or an implementation date, but the proposal is expected to be debated in parliament later this year.
