Costs & Funding in Greece - Study in Greece

Costs & Funding for Studying in Greece

Greece is one of the most cost-effective study destinations in the EU. Public tuition is free for EU/EEA students, non-EU students pay €1,500–7,000/year for English-taught programs (some Bachelor's up to €9,000), and living costs run a low €500–900/month. With around 300 sunny days a year and a Mediterranean pace of life, your money also stretches further on heating and leisure. This guide breaks down tuition by route, living costs by city, scholarships, part-time work, and the proof of funds you need for your residence permit.

Tuition Fees

Tuition depends on your nationality and whether you study at a public or private institution.

EU/EEA and Swiss students

Public Greek universities charge no undergraduate tuition for EU/EEA/Swiss students. Many textbooks are provided free through the national system. Note that some Master's programs do charge fees, even for EU students — typically €1,500–4,000 — so check each program's page.

Non-EU/EEA students — public universities (English-taught)

NKUA (Athens), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh, the largest), NTUA (top engineering), the University of Patras, AUEB, the University of Crete, and the University of the Aegean are expanding their English-taught offerings. Fees sit at the lower end for most subjects.

Private and international institutions

Private and affiliated institutions like the American College of Greece (Deree) charge Western-style fees. The 2025 reform opened the door to international branch campuses — confirm fees directly with each.

That is the headline figure — but Greek public tuition for EU students is free, and non-EU English-program fees are low by European standards. Run a personalised estimate with our cost-of-study calculator, and compare routes in the programs and universities guide.

Monthly Living Costs

Living costs vary by city. Athens is the most expensive; smaller cities are meaningfully cheaper. Greece is one of the cheapest EU countries to live in overall.

Athens (highest costs)

Thessaloniki / Patras / Heraklion / Ioannina (cheaper)

Total Cost of a Degree

Realistic totals, tuition plus 12 months of living, for non-EU students:

For EU/EEA students, the per-year total at public universities is essentially living costs only: roughly €7,000–11,000 in Athens or €6,000–9,000 elsewhere (add Master's fees where they apply). Even at full tuition, Greek degrees compare very favourably with UK, US, or Australian totals.

Scholarships

Greece's scholarship landscape combines public foundations, university awards, and EU schemes.

IKY — State Scholarships Foundation

IKY (Idryma Kratikon Ypotrofion) is the main public scholarship body, funding Greek and international students for undergraduate, postgraduate, and research studies. Some programs run in partnership with the EU and other governments. Check the IKY website for current calls — deadlines and eligibility vary year to year.

Onassis Foundation

The Onassis Foundation runs a respected scholarship program for international students and researchers, especially in fields connected to Greek culture, the humanities, sciences, and the arts. Awards are competitive and well-funded — a strong option for postgraduate and doctoral candidates.

University scholarships

Most major universities — NKUA, AUTh, NTUA, Patras, AUEB, University of Crete — offer their own merit awards, fee waivers (for fee-paying programs), and research assistantships. Coverage and criteria vary by department, so read each program's scholarship page carefully before applying.

Erasmus+ and home-country scholarships

• Erasmus+ — for EU students doing an exchange semester or year
• Home-country government scholarships — many countries fund study abroad
• Private foundations and employer sponsorships — worth checking in your home country

Strategy: apply to several schemes in parallel — IKY, Onassis (where relevant), and your university's own awards — and submit a clean transcript and sharp motivation letter. Because Greek public tuition is already free for EU students, scholarships often function as living-cost support rather than fee waivers.

Part-Time Work

Non-EU/EEA students on a valid residence permit can work up to 20 hours per week with the appropriate work permission, and full-time during official holiday periods. EU/EEA students have no work restrictions. Common student jobs:

• Tourism and hospitality — huge in Greece, especially seasonal summer work
• Cafés, restaurants, bars (in Athens, often manageable in English)
• Retail and customer service (Greek helps)
• Tutoring (English-language tutoring is in demand)
• University roles — research and teaching assistantships
• Tech and IT (Athens — a fast-growing, English-friendly market)

Pay is modest by Northern European standards but matched by the low cost of living. English-only candidates do best in tourism, international companies, and the Athens tech scene. Learning Greek opens substantially more doors, especially outside the capital and tourist hubs.

Proof of Funds for the Residence Permit

Non-EU/EEA students applying for the national (D) visa and residence permit must show they can support themselves.

What to budget:

• Proof of sufficient monthly funds, set annually in line with the Greek living standard
• For a full year, plan for a clear, verifiable balance well above the minimum
• For a two-year Master's, scale the figure accordingly

Accepted proof typically includes:

• A bank statement in your name showing the required amount
• A scholarship confirmation letter (IKY, Onassis, or university)
• A combination of both, plus proof of accommodation and health insurance

This is separate from tuition — you need to cover both. The figure is updated annually, so confirm the current amount with your Greek consulate before applying. EU/EEA students do not need to demonstrate funds in advance but should still budget realistically. Full walkthrough in our visa and arrival guide.

Health Insurance and Healthcare

• EU/EEA students: bring a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — covers basic public healthcare during your studies
• Non-EU students: must have private health insurance valid in Greece for the residence permit, covering hospital and medical treatment
• After enrolment: registered students access public healthcare and, in many cases, university health services for primary care

Greek public healthcare (EOPYY / ESY) is accessible once you are registered. Most international students supplement it with the private cover required for their permit. Costs are meaningfully lower than private healthcare in most Western countries.

Smart Ways to Cut Costs

Greece is already one of the EU's cheapest countries, but students trim further in predictable ways:

• Share a flat — splitting rent in Athens or Thessaloniki is the single biggest saving
• Get the academic ID (Πάσο) immediately — transport, ferry, and museum discounts add up fast
• Use student meal subsidies (sitisi) where your university offers them — often free or near-free
• Shop at local markets (laïki agora) — fresh produce far cheaper than supermarkets
• Pick Patras, Heraklion, or Ioannina over Athens if your program offers it — noticeably lower rent
• Travel by KTEL bus and ferry off-season with the student discount
• Embrace the climate — ~300 sunny days mean low heating bills compared with Northern Europe

Together these keep a monthly budget comfortably in the €600–900 range in Athens, or €500–750 elsewhere.

Budget Planning Checklist

Before you arrive, confirm:

• Tuition payment schedule (per semester or per year) and first instalment amount, if applicable
• Scholarship outcome (IKY, Onassis, or university) — secured in writing where possible
• Proof of funds secured for non-EU students, above the annual minimum
• Housing reserved (a room or studio, ideally viewed or verified before paying a deposit)
• Health insurance arranged (EHIC for EU; private cover valid in Greece for non-EU)
• Academic ID (Πάσο) planned for as soon as you enrol
• A settling-in buffer (€600–1,200) for the deposit, transport, and first-week costs

Next Steps

1. Visa and arrival — use your proof of funds to apply for the national (D) visa and residence permit
2. Living in Greece — housing, transport, and daily costs
3. Admissions and application — if you have not applied yet
4. Programs and universities — compare routes and find your field