Finding a place to live has become a daunting challenge for university students in Greece, as rental prices hit record highs across the country. With demand outstripping supply, families are struggling to cover the cost of housing for their children studying away from home.
Steep rent hikes across student hubs
According to official data, residential rents in Greece rose by 11.3% over the past year—nearly four times the national inflation rate. In Athens neighborhoods popular with students, such as Zografou and Kaisariani, small apartments now cost between €550 and €800 per month. Even in Patras, a newly built 40-square-meter flat recently rented for €550, while in Thessaloniki, average rents for homes up to 65 square meters hover around €500.
Market experts note that finding a student apartment under €450 in Athens is considered a “miracle,” with typical rents for small units ranging from €500 to €600. The limited availability of affordable apartments has turned the search for student housing into what many describe as a “daily treasure hunt.”
Families squeezed as half of income goes to rent
Experts warn that rental costs now absorb 40–50% of household incomes, forcing families and young tenants to compromise on space and quality of life. Parents seeking three-bedroom apartments often settle for two, while students increasingly share small studios with roommates. In some cases, the high cost of housing has even led young people to reconsider studying away from their hometowns.
Call for urgent state intervention
Industry representatives stress that the housing crunch is not accidental but the result of years of limited construction and rising demand, coupled with stagnant wages. The imbalance has turned student housing into a scarce and expensive commodity, with broader social implications.
Calls are growing for immediate government action, including the construction of new student dormitories, tax incentives for landlords offering affordable rents, and policies to expand access to reasonably priced housing. Without intervention, experts warn, the cost of student housing will continue to weigh heavily on families and hinder access to higher education for many.
