Visale is a free rental guarantee service in France, provided by Action Logement, that acts as a guarantor for tenants to secure housing. It covers unpaid rent and property damage for landlords, making it easier for tenants, especially young people (18–30) or those with unstable employment, to rent without needing a personal guarantor. It applies to primary residences with rent up to €1,500 (Île-de-France) or €1,300 (elsewhere) and is valid for the lease duration (up to 3 years for furnished rentals).
1. Documents You Need to Prepare
- Valid ID (passport, identity card, or residence permit)
- Proof of income (e.g., payslips, scholarship letter, or bank statements)
- For students: School enrollment certificate or student card
- For employees: Employment contract or promise of employment
- For non-EU students: Long-stay visa (VLS-TS) or residence permit
- Proof of accommodation (if already found, e.g., lease draft or landlord details)
- Translated documents (if non-French/English, by sworn translator)
2. Criteria to Check If You Are Qualified
- Age 18–30 (any professional status) or over 30 and employed in private/agricultural sector
- Over 30: Apply within 6 months of starting job (non-permanent contracts) or transfer
- Housing is primary residence in France (mainland or overseas territories)
- Rent (including charges): ≤€1,500 (Île-de-France) or ≤€1,300 (elsewhere)
- Lease not signed with family members (grandparent, parent, child)
- No other rental guarantee (e.g., personal guarantor or GLI)
- For shared housing: Individualized lease required
3. Website to Submit
- visale.fr (create account and submit application)
4. Processing Time
- Application review: 2–15 working days
- Visa certificate issuance: Within 2–15 days if approved
- Lease must be signed within 3 months of visa issuance
5. Next Steps
- Create account on visale.fr
- Complete questionnaire and upload documents
- Receive Visale visa certificate by email or SMS
- Download visa from visale.fr account
- Present visa to landlord before signing lease
- Landlord creates visale.fr account and validates guarantee contract
- Sign lease within 3 months of visa issuance