Scholarships for Greece 2026: Full Guide

Greece's scholarship landscape splits sharply by passport. EU/EEA students already study public undergraduate degrees free — only small material costs apply. Non-EU/EEA students pay tuition of €1,500–7,000/year for English-taught bachelor's (master's even for EU students run €1,500–4,000), and this is where Greece's funding routes matter. The main public body is IKY (the State Scholarships Foundation), the prestigious Onassis Foundation funds international students and researchers, individual universities offer merit awards, and Erasmus+ covers exchanges. Because Greek tuition is already low by EU standards, even a partial award can make a degree near-free. This guide maps every realistic funding route for 2026.

How Much You Need to Fund

Start by knowing the gap a scholarship has to close. EU/EEA: public undergrad tuition is €0, so funding only covers living costs (€600–900/month in Athens, €500–750 elsewhere). Non-EU/EEA: tuition runs €1,500–7,000/year for English-taught bachelor's and €1,500–4,000 for a full master's — see our cost of studying in Greece breakdown. Add roughly €600–700/month in proven living funds for the residence permit. Most Greek scholarships reward academic merit, so a strong record is your single biggest asset.

IKY — The State Scholarships Foundation

IKY (Ίδρυμα Κρατικών Υποτροφιών) is the main Greek public scholarship body, funding study and research across levels. It administers both Greek-government awards and a range of co-funded and bilateral programmes.

• Covers: varies by scheme — from full living-cost grants to research stipends and tuition support.
• For: Greek and international students and researchers, depending on the specific call.
• Eligibility: strong academic record; criteria differ by programme and level.
• How to apply: through the IKY website, which publishes calls (proklisis) with their own deadlines through the year.

IKY also manages bilateral scholarship agreements with many countries, so check whether Greece and your home country have an exchange scheme.

The Onassis Foundation

The Onassis Foundation runs one of the most prestigious scholarship programmes in Greece, specifically welcoming international students and researchers.

• Covers: generous monthly stipends, often with tuition and travel support, for study and research in Greece.
• For: international students, doctoral candidates, and post-doctoral and visiting researchers, across a defined list of fields.
• Eligibility: outstanding academic and research record; field and level must match the annual call.
• How to apply: through the Onassis Foundation scholarship portal during its annual application window.

The Onassis programme is competitive but genuinely generous — one of the standout funding routes for international students choosing Greece.

University Scholarships and Fee Reductions

Individual Greek universities and international institutions offer their own awards:

• Public universities (NKUA, AUTh, NTUA, University of Patras, AUEB, University of Crete) offer merit scholarships and fee reductions for strong applicants, particularly on English-taught and master's programmes.
• American College of Greece (Deree) and other private institutions run substantial merit and need-based scholarships.
• New international branch campuses (from the 2025 reform) set their own scholarship policies — check each programme page.

The pattern: a strong application can unlock a fee reduction at admission. Apply early and confirm scholarship deadlines, which sometimes precede the general application deadline. See our how to apply guide for the timeline.

Erasmus+ and Exchange Funding

If your home university is in the EU or has a bilateral partnership with a Greek university, you can study in Greece as an Erasmus+ or exchange student for a semester or year:

• No tuition at the Greek host (your home tuition continues if applicable)
• Erasmus+ monthly grant from your home country's national agency — typically €350–600/month, often with a Mediterranean cost-of-living adjustment
• Apply through your home university's international office, not the Greek host
• Bilateral exchanges exist with universities worldwide — check your home institution's partner list

Other Funding Routes

Beyond the main schemes, several targeted routes:

• Bilateral and government scholarships: IKY administers exchange agreements with many countries; the Greek state also funds students of Greek heritage abroad and language/culture study.
• Your home government: Many countries fund their citizens to study abroad — China Scholarship Council, various national agencies, and similar bodies list Greece as an approved destination.
• Private foundations: Greek foundations and shipping-linked philanthropic bodies fund specific fields, particularly maritime, classics, and the sciences.
• Doctoral funding: Many Greek PhD candidates work as funded research or teaching assistants, or hold project-based grants, turning the PhD into a salaried role rather than a self-funded degree.

Funding Without a Scholarship

If you do not land a major award, here is the honest reality:

• EU/EEA students: Public undergrad tuition is €0, so living costs are the only bill — and at €500–900/month, they are among the lowest in the EU. Part-time work covers much of it.
• Non-EU/EEA students: Tuition is real money but modest — €1,500–7,000/year for a bachelor's. Self-funding a degree in Greece is far cheaper than most of Western Europe.
• Part-time work: EU students work without limits; non-EU students up to 20 hours a week. At €5–8/hour, a 20-hour week brings in €450–650/month gross.
• Instalment plans: Some universities let you pay tuition per semester rather than upfront.

Model your full budget with the cost-of-study calculator.

How to Write a Winning Application

Most Greek scholarships reward academic merit, so the application itself is your pitch. The pattern that wins:

1. Lead with your academic record. Make your GPA, prizes, and publications easy to find. Show class rank if you can.
2. Tailor your motivation letter to the specific programme. Reference the faculty, research group, or specific courses. Generic letters lose to programme-specific ones every time.
3. Be concrete about your plan. Don't write that you want to "study in a beautiful country." Name the field, the problem, and the specific Greek labs, archives, or methods you want to engage with.
4. Get references that say something. A professor who can describe your work in detail outperforms a famous name who barely knows you.
5. Submit early and complete. Greek applications are document-heavy (apostilles, certified translations). Last-minute submissions miss documents and lose scholarship consideration.

Timeline for an October 2026 Intake

• Autumn 2025: Shortlist programmes and universities, check each scholarship page (IKY, Onassis, university awards), line up references and transcripts, start apostilles.
• Winter 2025–26: Watch for IKY and Onassis calls, which open on their own cycles; note university scholarship deadlines.
• Spring 2026: Submit university applications and scholarship forms; sit any entrance requirements.
• Late spring–summer 2026: Receive admission and scholarship decisions; accept your award and confirm your place.
• Summer 2026: Apply for the national (D) student visa — your scholarship reduces the proof-of-funds burden (see our how to apply to Greek universities guide).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most generous scholarship for Greece?

For international students, the Onassis Foundation scholarships are the standout — generous monthly stipends often with tuition and travel support for study and research in Greece. IKY (the State Scholarships Foundation) is the main public body, and individual universities add merit awards and fee reductions.

Do EU/EEA students need scholarships for Greece?

Not for undergraduate tuition — EU/EEA students study free at public universities. Living costs of €500–900/month are low, and most EU students cover them with savings plus part-time work. Master's fees (€1,500–4,000) may still apply, so scholarships help there.

Can I get a full scholarship as a non-EU student?

Yes, though competition is real. The Onassis Foundation offers full stipends with tuition for outstanding candidates, IKY funds various levels, and universities add merit awards. Because Greek tuition is already low, even a partial award can make a degree near-free.

When are Greece scholarship deadlines?

They vary by scheme. IKY and Onassis publish their own annual calls with set deadlines, often in winter and spring. University scholarship deadlines sometimes precede the general application deadline — check each programme page and apply early.

Do private institutions offer scholarships?

Yes. The American College of Greece (Deree) and other private and international institutions run substantial merit and need-based scholarships, as do the new international branch campuses from the 2025 reform. Each sets its own criteria and deadlines.

Are Greek scholarships merit-based or need-based?

Mostly merit-based. IKY, Onassis, and the university awards reward strong academics — GPA, prizes, research output. Some private-institution awards and a few bilateral schemes consider need; check each scheme's criteria.

How do I fund a PhD in Greece?

Doctoral study is generally free at public universities. Many PhD candidates work as funded research or teaching assistants or hold project-based grants, so the PhD becomes a salaried role rather than a self-funded degree. The Onassis Foundation and IKY also fund doctoral and post-doctoral research.

For the complete funding and cost picture, see Study in Greece, our why study in Greece guide, and the step-by-step how to apply to Greek universities walkthrough.

Related guides

• Cost of Studying in Greece: Complete Breakdown 2026
• How to Apply to Greek Universities 2026
• Greece Student Visa & Residence Permit Guide 2026
• Student Housing in Greece 2026
• Study in Greece: Country Guide