Greece is one of Europe’s most historically and culturally significant study destinations and for international students, it offers genuinely affordable education, a growing English-medium program landscape, and scholarship opportunities that are significantly underutilized by international applicants.
Home to the University of Athens, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and several other globally recognized institutions, Greece provides world-class education, particularly in medicine, classical studies, engineering, and social sciences, at some of the lowest costs in the EU.
This guide covers every major pathway to studying in Greece for free in 2026.
Why Study in Greece?
EU membership and Schengen access. A Greek degree carries EU recognition — valuable for career mobility across Europe.
Affordable tuition and living. Greek public universities charge non-EU students approximately €1,500–€6,000 per year. Living costs outside Athens are among the lowest in the EU — €500–€800/month comfortably.
Growing English-medium programs. Greek universities have expanded English-taught graduate programs, particularly at Athens and Thessaloniki universities.
Medical education. Greek medical schools — University of Athens Medical School, Aristotle University Medical School — are EU-recognized and globally respected.
Classical academic heritage. For students in philosophy, history, classics, archaeology, and humanities, studying in Greece provides unparalleled access to the origins of these disciplines.
Mediterranean quality of life. Climate, culture, food, and community make Greece one of Europe’s most enjoyable places to live during graduate study.
Top Scholarships to Study in Greece for Free 2026
1. IKY Scholarships — Greek State Scholarships Foundation 🇬🇷
The IKY (Greek State Scholarships Foundation) is Greece’s official scholarship body, administering government scholarships for both Greek students abroad and international students studying in Greece.
IKY Scholarships for International Students:
- Monthly stipend €700–€900
- Tuition fee support
- Available for postgraduate study at Greek universities
Bilateral Program Scholarships: Greece has bilateral scholarship agreements with many countries — providing specific scholarship tracks for students from partner nations.
Eligibility:
- Citizens of countries with bilateral agreements with Greece
- Bachelor’s degree for Master’s applications
- Strong academic record
- English or Greek language proficiency depending on program
How to Apply: Apply through iky.gr — check available programs for your country
Deadline: Varies by program — typically February–April 2027
2. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Scholarships 🇬🇷
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) — Greece’s largest university and one of the largest in the Balkans, offers scholarships for international graduate students.
AUTH International Scholarships:
- Partial tuition waiver
- Merit-based for outstanding international applicants
- Some full scholarships through bilateral agreements
AUTH Medical School:
- One of Greece’s most recognized medical schools
- EU-recognized medical degree
- English-medium program availability expanding
Strongest Programs: Medicine, engineering, sciences, law, agriculture, social sciences, and humanities.
Deadline: March–May 2027
3. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) Scholarships 🇬🇷
University of Athens (NKUA) — Greece’s oldest university, established 1837, offers scholarship support for international students.
NKUA International Scholarships:
- Partial fee waiver for outstanding international applicants
- Research contracts for PhD students through GSRT (General Secretariat for Research)
Strongest Programs: Medicine, law, sciences, philosophy, theology, economics, and social sciences.
Deadline: March–May 2027
4. Erasmus Mundus Programs at Greek Universities 🇪🇺
Several Erasmus Mundus programs include Greek universities as partners.
Programs With Greek Partners:
- EMJMD in Mediterranean Studies — Greek university partners
- EMJMD in Heritage Studies — Greek partner
- EMJMD in Marine Sciences — Greek partner
- EMJMD in Environmental Sciences — Greek university partner
What’s Covered:
- Full tuition + €1,400/month + travel + health insurance
Deadline: January–March 2026
👉 Read our Erasmus Mundus 2026 Guide
5. Technical University of Crete (TUC) Scholarships 🇬🇷
Technical University of Crete — particularly strong in environmental engineering, sciences, and technology, offers research funding for international PhD students.
TUC Research Positions:
- Full PhD funding through European research grants
- Monthly research salary
Strongest Programs: Environmental engineering, mineral resources engineering, electronic and computer engineering, production and management engineering.
Deadline: Rolling applications through EU research projects
6. GSRT Research Fellowships 🇬🇷
The General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT) funds research at Greek universities through national and European programs and GSRT-funded research groups recruit international PhD students.
How to Access: Search for open PhD and postdoc positions at Greek universities through:
- Individual university jobs pages
- EURAXESS (euraxess.ec.europa.eu) — EU-wide researcher job board
Stipend: Typically €1,000–€1,500/month for PhD researchers.
7. Onassis Foundation Scholarships 🇬🇷
The Onassis Foundation — one of Greece’s most prestigious private foundations, offers scholarships for international students in specific fields.
Onassis International Scholarship Programme:
- Full funding for postgraduate study and research in Greece
- Focus on Greek studies, humanities, social sciences, arts
Eligibility:
- International students from eligible countries
- Interest in Greek culture, history, and civilization
- Strong academic record
How to Apply: Check onassis.org for current scholarship availability.
Deadline: Varies — typically February–March annually
Greek University Tuition
| University | Annual Tuition (Non-EU) |
|---|---|
| Aristotle University Thessaloniki | Free–€3,000 (some programs free) |
| University of Athens | Free–€4,000 |
| Technical University of Crete | €1,500–€4,000 |
| University of Crete | €1,500–€4,000 |
| University of Patras | €1,500–€3,500 |
Important: Many Greek public university programs are completely free even for international non-EU students, including some Master’s programs. Check each program individually.
Living Costs in Greece
| City | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Athens | €700–€1,100 |
| Thessaloniki | €600–€900 |
| Heraklion (Crete) | €550–€800 |
| Other cities | €450–€700 |
Greece is significantly more affordable than Western Europe — particularly outside Athens.
Language Requirements
| Institution | Minimum IELTS | Greek Required? |
|---|---|---|
| NKUA English programs | 6.0 | No |
| AUTH English programs | 6.0 | No |
| Greek-medium programs | — | Greek B2 |
| Erasmus Mundus (Greece) | 6.5 | No |
📖 Use our Free IELTS Practice Tests
MBBS in Greece
Greek medical degrees are EU-recognized and globally respected:
| Medical School | Recognition |
|---|---|
| University of Athens Medical School | EU ✅, WHO ✅ |
| Aristotle University Medical School | EU ✅, WHO ✅ |
| University of Crete Medical School | EU ✅, WHO ✅ |
| University of Thessaly Medical School | EU ✅, WHO ✅ |
Greek MBBS programs are taught in Greek, language preparation required. Fewer English-medium medical options than Poland, Hungary, or Czech Republic.
Free Tools for Your Greek Scholarship Application
- 📄 Free SOP Generator
- 💌 Free Motivation Letter Generator
- 🔬 Free Research Proposal Generator
- 📑 Free CV Builder
- 📜 Free Reference Letter Generator
- 📖 Free IELTS & TOEFL Practice
FAQ — Study in Greece Free 2026
Q: Can international students study in Greece for free?
Some Greek public university programs are free even for non-EU students. IKY government scholarships provide monthly stipend + tuition support. Research PhD positions through GSRT come with full salary.
Q: Is MBBS in Greece recognized internationally?
Yes, Greek medical degrees are EU-recognized and WHO-listed. However, most Greek medical programs are taught in Greek, language preparation required.
Q: Do I need to speak Greek to study in Greece?
Not for English-medium graduate programs. Greek is required for Greek-medium programs including most medical programs.
Q: Is Greece affordable for international students?
Yes, one of the most affordable EU countries. Outside Athens: €450–€900/month. Even Athens is cheaper than most of Western Europe.
Q: What is the Onassis Foundation Scholarship?
A prestigious private Greek scholarship for international students interested in Greek culture, history, and civilization, full funding for postgraduate study or research in Greece.