Student Housing in Greece: Halls, Private Rentals and the Housing Allowance

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

In Greece most international students rent a flat on the private market. University halls exist, but they are part of the state's welfare system for students, and one university programme states plainly that Greek universities do not have dormitories available to international students. Our catalogue lists 0 residences with a published price in Greece, so do not plan around a hall place.

University halls

Public universities provide accommodation and meals as student welfare, and Eurydice says costs are covered depending on personal and family income and the location of the institution. In practice places are limited and awarded by criteria, not first come, first served. The University of Athens, for example, runs a student residence complex on its campus with four buildings, and students apply each September through an application service. The page does not list eligibility rules, so ask your university's welfare office.

AUEB, which teaches International Business and Technology in English, tells applicants to find housing in Athens before they arrive. It can refer students to housing agents and student networks.

Private flats

The University of Athens' guide for international students lists the usual ways to find a flat: "for rent" signs, estate agents, online property portals and word of mouth. It gives about €350 to €500 a month as a typical price for a one-bedroom student apartment, and notes that places near universities usually cost more and that rents are negotiable. Shared flats are usually cheaper per person. For fees and other charges, see the cost of studying in Greece.

Study in Greece, the Ministry of Education's portal, runs HouSiG, a housing service for international students that it describes as offering shared apartments, private studios and dormitory-style rooms. It also names a partner, StayInGreece, which offers apartments in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras and Volos. Neither page states prices, so request a quote and compare it with the open market.

Contracts and deposits

The University of Athens guide gives these points for private rentals:

A deposit should equal two months' rent and not more.
Utilities such as electricity, water, gas and telephone are usually not included in the rent. The contract should say so.
Shared building costs, such as cleaning and lift maintenance, are divided among tenants.
You will typically need a copy of your passport or ID and a tax identification number, unless you are an Erasmus+ student staying less than six months.
The agreement must be signed by both parties and written in English, or it is invalid, according to the guide. The landlord must declare it on the Taxisnet portal within 30 days of signing.
A contract should state duration, deposit, monthly rent, extra costs, rent increases, inventory if furnished, house rules and a notice period of at least one month.

When you rent through an agent, the landlord usually pays the commission, but confirm this before signing. For general warnings about deposits and fake listings, read finding student housing in Europe without being scammed.

The state housing allowance

Greek and EU undergraduate students who live in a city other than their main residence can claim a state housing allowance of €1,500 a year, or €2,000 if they share a flat with another student, according to the Athens School of Fine Arts, which explains the rules. Conditions include a valid academic ID and a Greek tax number. Students on a second degree, those who exceeded the standard study period, and those living in a university residence are excluded. Applications are made online on the ministry's housing portal, and the ministry announces the period each year.

Non-EU students are not covered: the rules name only Greek and other EU citizens. Eurydice does not say whether the allowance reaches foreign students, so confirm your own case with the university.

Documents for your permit

Non-EU students need an address and a Greek bank account for the permit application; Article 105 of the Migration Code allows a temporary address if you do not yet know your permanent one. See student visa for Greece.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.