About Greece
Greece is the birthplace of Western philosophy and democracy, with a Mediterranean lifestyle and some of the lowest living costs in Western Europe. It leads the world in shipping and has a large tourism industry. The number of English-taught programs is growing. The main intake is September, with some February starts. The currency is the euro (EUR).
Why study in Greece
- Low living costs: about €500–€900 a month
- English-taught programs for about €1,500–€12,000 a year
- Schengen residence and travel across Europe
- Strong careers in shipping, tourism and hospitality
- Safe, warm and welcoming
Popular fields of study
Shipping and maritime management, tourism and hospitality, business and MBA, classics, archaeology and history, and a growing tech sector in Athens. Universities include the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the National Technical University of Athens and the Athens University of Economics and Business.
Student visa, step by step
Student visa: National D visa + residence permit.
- Get admission from a recognised Greek institution.
- Show funds of about €650 a month (around €7,800 a year) through bank statements or a scholarship.
- Buy health insurance for your stay.
- Get your police clearance and medical certificate, translated and apostilled as required.
- Apply for the National D visa through the Greek Embassy / VFS in India.
- After arrival, apply to the Migration Office for your residence permit for studies.
After you get your visa
- Get your AFM (tax number) and AMKA (social security number) before you work.
- Work up to 20 hours a week in term, and full-time in holidays, with the right authorisation.
- Renew your residence permit each year while you study.
Work and staying on
- Working while you study
- Get your AFM (tax number) and AMKA (social security number) before you work. Work up to 20 hours a week in term, and full-time in holidays, with the right authorisation.
- After you graduate
- No dedicated post-study visa Greece doesn't have a dedicated post-study work visa like the UK or Ireland. Graduates usually switch to a work-based residence permit once they have a job offer, and in some cases can get a permit to look for work. Check the current options with the Migration Office before you graduate.
- Settling long term
- Employment residence permit: with a job offer from a Greek employer. EU Blue Card: for highly qualified, higher-paid roles. EU long-term residence: generally after 5 years of legal residence.
Rules change. Please confirm the latest position with your guide.
Visa expenses
| National D visa fee | about €100 (approximate) |
| Residence permit fee | about €150 |
| Living-cost funds to show | about €650 a month |
| Health insurance | about €300–€600 a year |
Average salary
Graduates typically start at about €1,000–€1,800 a month, or roughly €14,000–€22,000 a year (approximate). Shipping and tech pay more.
Good to know
- Greek is needed for most jobs outside tourism, shipping and international firms.
- Greece suits students looking for a low-cost EU degree, not a fast post-study work route.
General information for Indian students, not immigration advice. Fees, funds and post-study rules change often; figures marked approximate are estimates. Check the official sources before you apply:
Universities in Greece
See all programs →| Hellenic American University Athens · 8 programs |
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| University of Western Macedonia Kila · 2 programs |