Cost of Studying in Greece: Breakdown 2026

Greece is one of the cheapest places to study in the EU, and the headline numbers prove it. EU/EEA citizens pay no tuition for public undergraduate degrees — you study free, contributing only small admin and material costs. Non-EU/EEA students pay tuition for English-taught programmes, typically €1,500–7,000 per year for a bachelor's (some up to €9,000) and roughly €1,500–4,000 per year for a master's, which some EU students pay too. The real advantage is living costs: just €500–900 per month all-in, among the lowest in Western Europe. Add roughly 300 sunny days a year and the value becomes obvious. The currency is the euro. Here is the full 2026 breakdown so you can budget with real figures.

Tuition Fees

Three things decide your bill: nationality, institution type, and your subject.

EU/EEA Students: Public Undergrad Free

If you hold an EU/EEA passport, tuition at Greek public universities is €0 for undergraduate study taught in Greek. You contribute only small costs for textbooks, lab materials, and student services — often nothing at all, since the state provides free textbooks. Master's programmes are a different story: many public master's charge fees even for EU students, typically €1,500–4,000 for the full programme. PhD study is generally free.

Non-EU/EEA Students: Tuition Applies

If you are from outside the EU/EEA, you pay tuition for English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes. Typical annual ranges:

• Public university English-taught bachelor's (NKUA, AUTh, University of Patras): €1,500–7,000/year, with some specialist programmes up to €9,000
• Public master's programmes: €1,500–4,000 for the full degree for most fields
• Private and international institutions such as the American College of Greece (Deree): higher, typically €8,000–15,000/year, with new international branch campuses from the 2025 reform setting their own rates
• Doctoral study: usually free at public universities

Always confirm the exact figure on each programme page — fees are set per programme, not a single national rate.

Greece Is Simply Cheap

This is the core selling point. Even where non-EU tuition applies, Greek fees undercut almost every Western European destination, and living costs are dramatically lower. A full year — tuition plus living — at a Greek public university can land under €10,000 for many non-EU students, a figure that barely covers tuition alone in the UK or the Netherlands. See our Greece scholarships guide for the funding routes that lower the bill further.

Living Costs by City

Athens

The capital and the most expensive city — but still affordable by EU standards.

• Room in a shared flat: €300–500/month, utilities sometimes extra
• University dormitory (where available): often free or heavily subsidised for EU students who qualify
• Studio on the private market: €450–700/month
• Groceries: €150–250/month — local markets (laïki) and supermarkets like Sklavenitis and Lidl keep this low
• Student meals: free or very cheap at public-university canteens for eligible students
• Athens transport pass (student): around €15/month for the reduced student fare
• Phone plan: €10–20/month for generous data
• Total monthly estimate: €600–900 including rent

Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, Ioannina

Greece's other student hubs cut your rent by €100–200/month.

• Room in a shared flat: €250–400/month
• Studio: €350–550/month
• Total monthly estimate: €500–750 including rent

Thessaloniki (home to AUTh, Greece's largest university) is lively and student-dense but cheaper than Athens. Smaller cities and the islands run cheaper still. For the full housing picture, see our student housing in Greece guide.

Proof of Funds for the Residence Permit

Non-EU/EEA students apply for a national (D) student visa and then a residence permit for studies after arrival. You must prove sufficient means to support yourself — generally around €600–700 per month, roughly €7,000–8,000 per academic year — available in your bank account, along with proof of acceptance and health insurance. EU/EEA students do not need a permit but register their residence if staying more than three months. The full process is in our how to apply to Greek universities guide and on the Greece student visa page.

One-Time Setup Costs

Budget for these in your first month:

• National (D) visa and residence permit fees: roughly €150–300 in total for non-EU students
• Rental deposit: typically one to two months' rent — €300–800
• Bedding, kitchen basics: €100–250 (IKEA in Athens and Thessaloniki, second-hand via local groups)
• AFM (tax number) and bank setup: free, but budget time
• Total one-time costs: €600–1,500

Scholarships and Fee Reductions

Several routes lower or eliminate your Greek costs:

• IKY (State Scholarships Foundation): The main Greek public scholarship body, funding Greek and international students across levels.
• Onassis Foundation: Prestigious scholarships for international students and researchers, often generous.
• University scholarships: Individual institutions offer merit awards and fee reductions for strong applicants.
• Erasmus+: Exchange students from European partner institutions pay no tuition and receive a monthly grant.

The full landscape is in our Greece scholarships guide.

Working Part-Time

EU/EEA students may work without restriction. Non-EU/EEA students may work up to 20 hours per week during term with the appropriate permission. Typical hourly pay runs €5–8 gross in hospitality, retail, or tourism, higher for skilled or English-tutoring work. Greek helps a lot, but the tourism sector — huge in Greece — offers plenty of seasonal English-friendly work, especially on the islands in summer. A realistic 20-hour week brings in €450–650/month gross — useful, but rarely enough to cover everything alone.

Annual Budget Summary

Two scenarios to show the range.

Scenario A: EU Student, Thessaloniki, Public Bachelor's

• Tuition (EU citizen, public undergrad): €0
• Rent (shared room): €3,600/year (€300/month)
• Food and groceries: €2,160/year (€180/month)
• Transport, phone, internet: €450/year
• Personal / leisure: €1,800/year
• Total: ~€8,010/year

Scenario B: Non-EU Student, Athens, English-Taught Bachelor's

• Tuition (English-taught public BA): €4,000/year
• Rent (studio): €6,000/year (€500/month)
• Food and groceries: €2,640/year (€220/month)
• Transport pass: €180/year
• Personal / leisure: €2,400/year
• Total: ~€15,220/year

Model your own numbers with the cost-of-study calculator.

Cost Comparison: EU vs Non-EU

Item (per year)	EU/EEA student, Patras	Non-EU, Athens (English-taught)
Tuition	€0 (public undergrad)	€1,500–7,000
Rent	€3,000–4,800	€4,800–7,200
Food	€1,800–2,400	€2,400–3,000
Other	€1,500–2,400	€2,000–3,000

Hidden Costs Students Miss

• Summer heat and cooling: Athens summers are hot. Air-conditioning electricity can add €30–60/month in July and August.
• Island travel: Ferries to and around the islands are a real budget line if you study in Crete or the Aegean — €20–60 per trip.
• Health insurance for non-EU students: required for the residence permit — budget €200–500/year for private cover.
• Greek-language documents: Certified translations and apostilles for your application and permit can cost €100–300.
• Flights home: Athens and Thessaloniki are well connected across Europe; budget €200–900/year depending on distance.

Banking in Greece

Once you have your AFM (tax number) and an address, you can open an account with a Greek bank such as Piraeus, National Bank of Greece, Eurobank, or Alpha Bank. You will need your passport, residence permit or registration, AFM, and proof of address. Greece has modernised fast — contactless cards, mobile banking, and IRIS instant payments are now standard, though cash is still common for small purchases and market stalls. Some banks ask for an in-person appointment, so book early.

Healthcare and Insurance

EU/EEA students use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for access to Greek public healthcare on the same terms as locals. Non-EU/EEA students must hold private health insurance for the residence permit — typically €200–500/year — and may register for public coverage once enrolled and resident. The Greek public system (ESY) provides hospital and GP care; many students also use affordable private clinics for faster appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study in Greece?

EU/EEA students pay €0 tuition for public undergraduate degrees — only small material costs. Non-EU/EEA students pay €1,500–7,000/year for English-taught bachelor's (some up to €9,000) and €1,500–4,000 for a full master's. Living costs run just €500–900/month, among the lowest in the EU.

How much money do I need to show for the residence permit?

Non-EU/EEA students must prove roughly €600–700 per month, around €7,000–8,000 per academic year, available in a bank account, plus proof of acceptance and health insurance. EU/EEA students do not need a permit but register their residence if staying more than three months.

Is Greece cheap for students?

Yes — among the cheapest in the EU. EU students pay no public-undergrad tuition, non-EU fees are modest, and living costs of €500–900/month are well below most of Western Europe. Add roughly 300 sunny days a year and the value is hard to beat.

Can I cover my living costs by working part-time?

Partly. EU students work without limits; non-EU students may work up to 20 hours a week with permission. At €5–8/hour, a 20-hour week brings in €450–650/month gross — enough to cover food and part of rent, especially in cheaper cities, but rarely everything alone.

What's the cheapest way to study in Greece?

If you are EU/EEA: pick a public undergraduate programme in Thessaloniki, Patras, Ioannina, or Heraklion, take a shared room (€250–350/month), use the free or subsidised university canteen, and a student transport pass. That keeps your all-in cost around €500–600/month.

Do I need health insurance?

Non-EU/EEA students must hold private insurance for the residence permit (around €200–500/year) and can register for public coverage once enrolled. EU/EEA students use the EHIC for access to the Greek public health system on local terms.

Are there student discounts in Greece?

Yes. The student transport fare cuts city travel to around €15/month, public-university canteens offer free or near-free meals to eligible students, and reductions apply at museums, archaeological sites, cinemas, and on some ferry and train routes with a student card.

For the complete picture — tuition, the residence permit, scholarships, and life as a student — see Study in Greece and our why study in Greece guide.

Related guides

• Scholarships for Greece 2026
• Student Housing in Greece 2026
• How to Apply to Greek Universities 2026
• Study in Greece: Country Guide
• Greece Student Visa & Residence Permit Guide 2026