As the cost of living continues to rise across Europe, many students are finding it increasingly difficult to cover basic necessities. In France, universities and student support organizations have expanded a simple but impactful solution by offering nutritious meals for just €1, helping reduce financial pressure and allowing students to focus more on their studies than on their next meal.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns about student poverty and food insecurity. A recent survey found that nearly half of French students had gone without food at some point because of financial difficulties, highlighting the strain that inflation and rising living costs have placed on young people pursuing higher education.
France’s €1 meal program began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as an emergency measure to help students facing financial hardship. Initially, it was available only to scholarship recipients and students with the greatest financial need. However, as food and housing costs continued to increase, the program quickly gained popularity, leading to growing public and political support for expanding access to all students.
In 2025, French lawmakers voted to broaden the initiative, and by May 2026 the €1 meal program was made available to every student in France. According to the French government, approximately three million students are now eligible. A standard university meal in France typically costs about €3.30 or more, making the subsidized meals a significant source of savings for many students.
The meals are served through hundreds of university dining halls across the country. A typical meal includes a main course along with sides such as fruit, salad, cheese, or dessert. Even before the nationwide expansion, the program had already seen widespread participation. During the 2023–24 academic year, approximately 500,000 students received around 24 million €1 meals, representing a 23% increase over the previous year. To support the expanded program, the French government committed €50 million in 2026, with annual costs expected to reach roughly €90 million as participation continues to grow.
The program has also sparked debate. Critics argue that providing subsidized meals to all students may become increasingly expensive as demand rises and question whether universal eligibility is the most efficient use of public funds. Some believe assistance should be targeted only to students facing financial hardship, while others point to growing pressure on university dining halls, including longer wait times and increased demand. Others suggest that additional funding might have a greater impact if directed toward affordable housing or other forms of student assistance. While there is broad agreement that students need support, the debate continues over the most effective way to provide it.
