What you pay to study in Greece depends mostly on the language of your programme. A Greek-taught bachelor's at a public university is tuition-free for international students admitted through the Ministry of Education's quota for foreign applicants. English-taught bachelor's degrees cost $5,110 (€4,500) to $19,300 (€17,000) a year, and master's programmes range from free Greek-taught courses to several thousand euros for the whole degree — $3,070–8,860 (€2,700–7,800) in the published examples below. For a student residence permit, Greece expects proof of $740 (€650) or more per month, which comes to $8,860 (€7,800) over twelve months.
This guide sets out 2026/27 fees by level, the payments that fall due before you start, the one-off costs of visas and permits, and a minimum first-year budget for four common scenarios. Figures come from university websites, the Study in Greece portal and Greek legislation; US dollar amounts use the ECB rate of 29 September 2026. For a general introduction, see our Greece page.
The short answer: tuition by route
| Route | Tuition | Other unavoidable costs | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greek-taught bachelor's via the foreign-applicant quota | none | a Greek language year if you have no B2 certificate: NKUA's course for Ministry-admitted students costs $1,120 (€985); NKUA's B2 exam costs $79 (€70) for course students and $91 (€80) for others | students willing to learn Greek and compete on their school grades |
| English-taught bachelor's | $5,110–10,220 (€4,500–9,000) a year; medicine $13,630–19,300 (€12,000–17,000) | a deposit or application fee on some programmes | students who want to start in English straight away |
| English-taught master's | $3,070–8,860 (€2,700–7,800) for the whole programme in the published examples | each department sets its own requirements and deadlines | bachelor's graduates |
| Greek-taught master's | sometimes free | proven Greek | students who already speak the language |
On English-taught bachelor's degrees, non-EU students pay the same as Europeans: Study in Greece lists a single fee for each programme, and NKUA states explicitly that its medical fee is the same for EU and non-EU citizens. Master's programmes are different: some set a separate, higher fee for non-EU citizens — NKUA's MSc in Media and Refugee/Migration Flows, for example, costs $3,630 (€3,200) for EU citizens and $7,950 (€7,000) for others. Non-EU students also lose out on fee waivers, covered below.
English-taught bachelor's degrees: annual fees and full-degree cost
Study in Greece lists 20 English-taught bachelor's degrees at public universities. Grouped by the 2026/27 annual fee:
| Annual fee | Number of programmes | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| $5,110–6,700 (€4,500–5,900) | 3 | Eastern Mediterranean Studies (University of the Aegean, Rhodes), Creative Writing (University of Western Macedonia), Accounting and Finance (University of Macedonia) |
| $6,810 (€6,000) | 7 | AI and data science, applied philosophy, ancient Greek studies at NKUA, International Business and Technology at AUEB, sport science and environmental engineering at Aristotle University |
| $7,950–9,080 (€7,000–8,000) | 4 | law (LL.B.) and sustainable agriculture at Aristotle University, plus its materials and clean-energy engineering degrees |
| $10,220 (€9,000) | 1 | NKUA's five-year integrated master's in pharmacy |
| $13,630–19,300 (€12,000–17,000) | 5 | medicine in Thessaloniki, Larissa, Patras, Heraklion and Athens |
The full list with cities and durations is in our guide to universities in Greece; the medical programmes are analysed in medicine in Greece.
Budget for the whole degree, not a single year. A four-year programme at $6,810 (€6,000) costs $27,250 (€24,000) in tuition alone; five years of pharmacy at $10,220 (€9,000) come to $51,100 (€45,000); six years of medicine at $13,630 (€12,000) add up to $81,760 (€72,000). Those totals assume today's fee, and fees do change: NKUA's English-taught medical degree cost $14,760 (€13,000) in 2025/26 and $19,300 (€17,000) in 2026/27.
Master's degrees: the price of the whole programme
Master's fees are set per programme and often split into semester instalments. Study in Greece gives an average of $3,410–7,950 (€3,000–7,000) a year, but the exact figure is on each programme's own page. Fees published on programme sites and the Ministry's master's portal (checked 29.09.2026) include:
| Cost of the whole course | Example programme |
|---|---|
| free | the Greek-taught drug discovery master's at the University of Patras |
| up to $3,410 (€3,000) | NKUA's data science and IT master's: $1,020 (€900) for each of three semesters |
| about $5,680 (€5,000) | Aristotle University's one-year medical research methodology programme |
| $7,950–9,080 (€7,000–8,000) | business analytics at AUEB, $8,180 (€7,200); AUEB's shipping and finance master's, $8,630 (€7,600) full-time |
One rule often gets missed: the income-based waiver in Article 86 of Law 4957/2022, which lets strong students from low-income families take a fee-paying master's for free, does not extend to third-country nationals. If you are not an EU citizen, do not plan your budget around that waiver. Application steps are in our guide to a master's in Greece.
Money due before you start
Large sums can leave your account before you have a visa. Medical programmes show this most clearly:
| Programme | Paid in advance | Can you get it back? |
|---|---|---|
| NKUA medicine | $5,680 (€5,000) deposit by the date set in the university's letter | yes, if predicted grades are not met or a visa refusal prevents enrolment |
| Aristotle University medicine | $6,810 (€6,000) after admission; test takers pay $1,360 (€1,200) before the exam and $5,450 (€4,800) after | the $1,360 (€1,200) is refunded if you are rejected after the test; once admitted, nothing is refunded and places cannot be deferred |
| University of Thessaly medicine | $230 (€200) processing fee, then $6,810 (€6,000) within 15 days of admission | no, the first instalment is non-refundable |
| University of Crete medicine | $3,410 (€3,000) within 10 days of being offered a place, plus $6,810 (€6,000) by the end of June | the $6,810 (€6,000) is refunded after a written withdrawal by 31 August |
| University of Patras medicine | $110 (€100) application fee | — |
Before paying a deposit, compare the payment deadline with a realistic visa timeline. Our Greece student visa guide explains the steps.
The Greek language year: what the "free" route costs
A tuition-free bachelor's requires a Greek B2 certificate before you can register with your department. Without one, you face a paid preparatory year:
- NKUA's eight-month course for students admitted by the Ministry: $1,120 (€985) for 2026/27, 20 hours a week, 5 October 2026 to 14 May 2027;
- the same intensive course for other students: $1,400 (€1,230);
- NKUA's B2 certificate exam: $79 (€70) for a first attempt in May or September by students of the centre's courses, $91 (€80) for other candidates, and $57 (€50) for those who sat in May and retake in September.
Course fees are paid once, in full, with no instalments, and bank transfer charges are the student's responsibility. They are not refunded if your visa is refused. With the living-cost minimum added, the language year comes to roughly $9,990 (€8,800), and it earns no credits towards your degree. The quota procedure is explained in applying to Greek universities.
Living costs
Greece sets a floor for student residence permits: at least $740 (€650) a month for living expenses (Joint Ministerial Decision 225679/2024). You can prove it with a bank account, a transfer, a grant, a scholarship, or — at renewal — payslips from part-time work. The amount is assessed monthly or annually, so showing $8,860 (€7,800) for the year is the practical approach.
That figure is a threshold for the authorities, not a household budget. Study in Greece puts apartment rent at $280–680 (€250–600) a month and utilities at $91–140 (€80–120), so housing alone runs $370–820 (€330–720) a month. At the top of that range in Athens or Thessaloniki, the legal minimum leaves little for food, transport and a phone, which is why real budgets usually sit above it.
Ways to spend less:
- university residences: Study in Greece notes that students in financial need can often live in halls for free, although places are limited and each university sets its own rules;
- living near campus: housing within walking distance of your faculty removes daily transport costs;
- sharing: splitting a flat is the quickest way into the lower half of the rent range.
Not every university has halls. The University of Crete states that it has no dormitories and that its Welcome Office helps students find housing in Heraklion.
One-off costs of visas and permits
| Item | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|
| Type "H.1" student residence permit | $170 (€150) fee | Migration Code (Law 5038/2023, Article 171) |
| National type D visa for studies | $100 (€90), the rate for the studies category in the Foreign Ministry's consular handbook (January 2022); the current fee is confirmed when you book | Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Health insurance | full health cover for the residence permit; for the visa, travel insurance for its whole validity covering emergency care and medical repatriation | consulate and migration service |
| Apostille, Greek translation, certified copies | varies by country and provider | authorities in your country, approved translators |
If your enrolment automatically gives you public health cover equal to that of Greek nationals, the law treats the insurance requirement as met (Article 105 of the Migration Code).
Minimum first-year budget: four scenarios
The table shows a floor: tuition, the legal living-cost minimum and the residence permit fee. Flights, insurance, rental deposits, translations and furniture are not included.
| Scenario | Tuition | Living, 12 months | Permit | Minimum total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language year before a Greek-taught bachelor's | $1,120 (€985) + exam $79 (€70) | $8,860 (€7,800) | $170 (€150) | $10,230 (€9,005) |
| English-taught bachelor's at $6,810 (€6,000) | $6,810 (€6,000) | $8,860 (€7,800) | $170 (€150) | $15,840 (€13,950) |
| Medicine in Thessaloniki, Larissa or Patras | $13,630 (€12,000) | $8,860 (€7,800) | $170 (€150) | $22,650 (€19,950) |
| NKUA data science master's (whole course, 18 months) | $3,070 (€2,700) | $13,290 (€11,700) | $170 (€150) | $16,520 (€14,550) |
Later years of a Greek-taught bachelor's cost less: there is no tuition, only living costs and permit renewals.
Can part-time work cover costs?
Only partly. Since February 2026 (Law 5275/2026, Article 31), a study permit allows part-time jobs only, fitted around classes and capped at 20 hours a week. The first months go on housing, paperwork and language, so arrive with your first-year money already in place. Earnings from part-time work can later count towards proof of means when you renew.
Discounts and scholarships: what is realistic
- University of Crete reduces the fee by $2,270 (€2,000) for the three best-performing students in each year of its English-taught medical programme.
- University of Patras announces five scholarships a year for its English medical programme, based on merit and financial need, through a separate call.
- NKUA states in its medical programme FAQ that no scholarships were available for 2025/26.
- Master's fee waivers under Article 86 of Law 4957/2022 are not open to third-country nationals.
External funding options are summarised in our scholarships abroad guide. Whether a scholarship is awarded is decided by the university or the funding body.
Paying from abroad
Greek universities take euro bank transfers to their own accounts. NKUA's Greek language centre, for example, issues each applicant an RF payment code: Greek bank customers pay by code, while payers abroad transfer to the university's Alpha Bank account quoting the code. Check in advance whether your bank can send the transfer and which correspondent bank it will use. For applicants in Russia, the lawful routes are covered in how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
Common budgeting mistakes
- Treating free tuition as free living. The $740 (€650) monthly minimum applies to every route.
- Multiplying this year's fee without a margin. NKUA's medical fee rose by $4,540 (€4,000) in a single year.
- Paying a deposit without reading the refund terms. A visa refusal triggers a refund at some programmes and not at others.
- Counting on a master's fee waiver. The law excludes non-EU nationals.
- Forgetting the language year. Without a B2 certificate, a Greek-taught degree starts with a Greek course, not with year one.
FAQ
Greek-taught bachelor's degrees at public universities are tuition-free for students admitted through the foreign-applicant quota. English-taught bachelor's degrees cost $5,110 (€4,500) to $19,300 (€17,000) a year in 2026/27, and the published master's examples cost $3,070–8,860 (€2,700–7,800) for the whole course.
For Greek-taught bachelor's programmes at public universities, yes. You still need a Greek B2 certificate to register, the preparatory language year is usually paid, and you must show at least $740 (€650) a month for living costs.
The legal floor is $740 (€650) per month, or $8,860 (€7,800) over twelve months. This minimum comes from Joint Ministerial Decision 225679/2024 and can be proven with bank statements, transfers, grants, scholarships or part-time payslips.
Study in Greece gives $280–680 (€250–600) a month for rent and $91–140 (€80–120) for utilities. Not every university has halls of residence, and free places go mainly to students in financial need.
Partly. Students may work up to 20 hours a week and only outside study hours. Plan to have your first year fully funded before you arrive and treat any earnings as a supplement.
Public universities do not publish discounts by nationality. Some programmes offer merit-based scholarships, for example the medical degrees in Heraklion and Patras, while the master's fee waiver in Greek law explicitly excludes non-EU nationals.
Sources
- Study in Greece: bachelor's, master's and education in Greece, with rent and utility estimates — checked 29.09.2026
- Programme pages on Study in Greece with 2026/27 fees, e.g. Accounting and Finance, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Science, Integrated Master in Pharmacy — checked 29.09.2026
- Master's programmes: NKUA DSIT on the Ministry portal, AUEB MSc Business Analytics, AUEB MSc International Shipping, Finance and Management, AUTh Medical Research Methodology, University of Patras, Drug discovery and development, NKUA Media and Refugee/Migration Flows — checked 29.09.2026
- Article 86 of Law 4957/2022: free master's study and the third-country exclusion (PDF) — checked 29.09.2026
- Medicine: NKUA tuition fees, Aristotle University admission & fees, University of Thessaly admission & fees, University of Crete admissions, University of Patras application — checked 29.09.2026
- NKUA Modern Greek Language Teaching Center: 2026/27 course for Ministry-admitted students (PDF), fees and payment, B2 exam — checked 29.09.2026
- Decision 225679/2024: minimum means for a study permit (Gazette B' 5223, PDF) and Migration Code 5038/2023: permit fees and insurance (PDF) — checked 29.09.2026
- Law 5275/2026, Articles 30–31: how long study permits last and how much students may work (PDF) — checked 29.09.2026
- Foreign Ministry consular handbook on national visas: studies category D.1.1 and fee table (2022, DOCX) — checked 29.09.2026
- ECB rate of 29.09.2026: €1 = $1.1355. Rounding step: $1 below $100, otherwise $10.
Budget planning for your shortlisted programmes, checking requirements, preparing documents and submitting applications are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission and scholarship decisions are made by the university, visa decisions by the Greek consulate, and residence permits by the migration service.
Next steps
- Master's in Greece for International Students: English-Taught Programmes, Fees and Admission for 2026–2027
- Medicine in Greece in English: Five Public Programmes, Fees and Admission for 2026–2027
- Applying to Greek Universities in 2026–2027: The Foreign-Applicant Quota, English-Taught Programmes and a Step-by-Step Plan
- Greece Student Visa: National D Visa, Documents and Study Residence Permit in 2026
- Scholarships abroad 2026: where international students study for free
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
