The Greek government has signed into law new regulations setting maximum study durations at universities, paving the way for the first mass deregistrations of so-called “eternal students” this December.
According to Deputy Minister for Higher Education Nikos Papaioannou, around 290,000 to 300,000 inactive students are expected to be removed from university registers. These are individuals who enrolled decades ago—some dating back to the 1970s and 1980s—but never completed their degrees.
Who Is Exempt
Not all will be affected. Roughly 35,000 students who have already declared their intention to graduate either by the end of this year or by 2026 will not be deregistered, thanks to special provisions introduced in July.
The largest numbers of inactive students are found at the University of Athens and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, each hosting tens of thousands of names of students who long ago pursued other life paths.
What the Ministerial Decision Includes
The ministerial order, issued under Law 5224/2025, sets out:
- The maximum duration of studies for both new and existing students.
- The method of calculating this duration and the consequences of exceeding it.
- The right to request an extension of up to two or three additional semesters under certain conditions.
- The option of an extra examination period for students missing only one or two courses to graduate.
- The process for deregistration, along with the right to appeal.
- Exemptions for students with certified disabilities of 50% or higher.
- Oversight mechanisms to ensure universities apply the rules consistently.
A detailed circular with clarifications has been distributed to all higher education institutions.
Government Reactions
Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki called the reform “a clear commitment to the future of our universities and to students who fight daily to succeed.” She emphasized that the goal is reliable degrees, institutions with stable rules, and support for those genuinely working to finish their studies.
Deputy Minister Papaioannou described the decision as the end of “decades-old pathologies,” stressing that the new framework promotes academic consistency while offering fair opportunities to those close to completing their courses. “Greece needs modern, credible universities that are competitive internationally,” he added.
