Studying in Greece — The 10 Steps Guide

Greek higher education is overwhelmingly public and tuition-free for EU/EEA students. Public universities (panepistimio) — like the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), the University of Patras, the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), and the University of Crete — focus on research-led degrees up to PhD level. A 2025 reform also opened Greece to private and international branch campuses.

International students mostly enrol in English-taught programmes, which are growing fast at Master's level and emerging at Bachelor's level, concentrated at the big universities and the private colleges (such as the American College of Greece — Deree). Non-EU students pay €1,500-7,000/year for English programmes; EU/EEA students pay no public tuition. Confirm the language of instruction on each programme page — most public Bachelor's are still Greek-taught.

Before anything else, confirm your shortlisted programmes are offered in English (if you do not speak Greek) and that you meet the entry requirements. Check each university's official admissions pages to verify the programme's status, opening dates, deadlines, fees, and required documents. Never rely on third-party listings — the university's own international office is the source of truth in Greece.

Then confirm the academic and English requirements. English-taught programmes typically ask for IELTS 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79-92, with higher scores for competitive courses. Bachelor's programmes usually require a recognised secondary qualification; Master's programmes need a relevant Bachelor's degree. Greek-taught public programmes require passing a Greek language proficiency exam instead of, or alongside, an English test.

Aim for a focused set of programmes across reach, realistic, and safety choices. Greece's main intake is autumn (late September/October), with deadlines for English-taught and postgraduate programmes typically falling in spring and summer. Application procedures vary by university and by programme — some run through national systems, others directly through the institution.

Mix institution types so you have a major public university, a possible private-college option, and a backup to compare on cost, teaching language, and city. Spread across Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, and Crete to weigh living costs, student life, and programme fit against each other.

Work backwards from your chosen intake. Greece's autumn intake means most English-taught deadlines fall in spring and summer, decisions arrive over the summer, and the national (D) student visa takes several weeks to a couple of months at the consulate. Apply early enough that your offer, document verification, and visa all land before late September.

Front-load the slow tasks: the English test, certified document translations, apostilles, financial evidence, and health insurance. Once you accept an offer, book your visa appointment at the Greek embassy or consulate immediately — and plan for the residence permit you will apply for after arriving in Greece.

Book IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT well before your application deadline, since test centres fill up. Target IELTS 6.0-6.5 to meet most English-taught Greek programmes, with 6.5-7.0 for competitive courses at NKUA, AUTh, NTUA, and the private colleges. Check each programme page for the exact threshold.

If your previous education was taught entirely in English (or you hold qualifications from English-speaking countries), you can often request an exemption. Confirm this with each institution, as the proof requirements vary and exemption is not automatic. For Greek-taught public programmes you will instead need to demonstrate Greek proficiency, usually via the official certification exam.

Greek institutions and consulates expect a complete, consistent document set, and they are strict about official translations and legalisation. Documents in another language need certified Greek (or English) translations, and many require an apostille or consular legalisation. Allow several weeks to gather everything — this is the step most likely to delay a Greek application.

Assemble: passport, secondary or degree certificates with transcripts, English test certificate (or Greek proficiency proof), motivation letter, CV (where required), passport photos, and financial evidence for the visa. Your university will publish its exact admission document list — follow it precisely, because a missing or incorrectly translated document can stall your application.

Application procedures in Greece vary by university and programme. Many English-taught and postgraduate programmes apply directly through the institution's online system; some public undergraduate routes run through national procedures. Create your account, complete each application, and upload your documents by the deadline — which for English-taught programmes typically falls in spring or summer.

Decisions arrive over the summer for autumn entry. Once you receive offers, accept your preferred place by the stated deadline. Acceptance is the trigger for the national (D) visa — book your consulate appointment the same week, because visa processing time eats into your summer and Greek bureaucracy is not fast.

Budget for tuition (free for EU/EEA undergraduates; €1,500-7,000/year for non-EU English-taught programmes; private colleges charge market rates; some Master's charge €1,500-4,000 even for EU students), health insurance (required for the non-EU visa), proof of funds for the consulate, and €500-900/month living costs — among the lowest in the EU. Athens and Thessaloniki are moderate; islands and smaller cities are cheaper.

Apply for funding in parallel: the IKY State Scholarships Foundation, the Onassis Foundation, individual university scholarships, and Erasmus+ all support international students. Apply early — scholarship decisions affect the financial evidence you submit for your visa. EU/EEA students pay no public undergraduate tuition and mainly need to show proof of means and insurance.

Non-EU/EEA students apply for the national (D) student visa at the Greek embassy or consulate in their home country after accepting their offer. Submit your acceptance letter, proof of funds, and health insurance, attend the appointment, and wait several weeks to a couple of months for the decision. EU/EEA students don't need a visa — they enter freely and register their residence in Greece, obtaining an AFM and AMKA.

After arriving, non-EU students apply for a residence permit for study (adeia diamonis) at the local immigration authority, which covers the duration of the programme. Start this promptly — Greek immigration offices are busy and processing is slow.

Secure housing in parallel. University dormitories (estia) are cheap but limited and competitive; most international students rent privately. A shared room runs €250-500/month, less in smaller cities. Use the university's housing office and local listings, and never pay a deposit before viewing. Arrange health insurance: EU students use the EHIC; non-EU students need compliant private cover for the visa and residence permit.

Land in Greece a week or two before orientation, carrying your passport, visa (non-EU), acceptance letter, and proof of insurance. The first weeks are paperwork-heavy and Greek admin is slow, but everything works if you tackle it in order. Get your AFM (tax number) and AMKA (social security number) early — almost nothing else works without them.

Within your first weeks, register with the local authorities, start your residence permit (non-EU), open a Greek bank account, buy a SIM (Cosmote, Vodafone, Nova), set up your student transport pass, complete enrolment with your university, and collect your student card. Join Erasmus and student-society events early — Greek student life is sociable, and friendships start fast over a frappé or a night out in Thessaloniki or Exarcheia.