The first school bell of the year rang across Greece today, but for many families the excitement of returning to the classroom was overshadowed by the cost of preparing children for school.
Parents are confronted with a long shopping list that stretches far beyond basic stationery. Bags, pencil cases, lunch boxes, clothes, shoes, art supplies, foreign language classes and sports activities all add to the financial burden before lessons even begin.
For elementary school students, the price of essentials such as bags, notebooks and writing supplies ranges from €80–90 to as much as €300, depending on brand choices. Lunch kits and water bottles typically add €30–50, while language lessons can cost around €50 per month plus textbooks. Sports programs add another €30–35 monthly.
The financial strain intensifies in secondary school. Middle school purchases can total €200–350, while in high school, especially in the final years leading up to national university entrance exams, costs soar. Families must pay for tutoring, private lessons and additional courses, with monthly fees reaching €294–400, and summer programs averaging €600. Specialized subjects such as foreign languages, design or music can add another €200 per month.
Inflation has worsened the challenge. Education-related expenses have risen 9.5% in the past four years, with a fresh 3.1% increase recorded in April 2025 compared with the previous year.
To cope, many parents turn to discounts offered by supermarkets, bookstores and online retailers, or reuse items from previous years—bags, cases, half-used notebooks and art supplies often find a second life. Choosing higher-quality, more durable items, such as schoolbags that last several years, can also reduce long-term costs.
Still, September remains a financial strain after the summer holidays. With Greece also facing persistently low birth rates, the question looms: how long can families sustain the rising expenses of educating their children?
