University Tuition Cost in Athens (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedIn Athens, undergraduate tuition at public universities is typically free for EU students, while many English-taught or specialised postgraduate programmes charge tuition. Verified examples in Athens show master's fees commonly around €3,000 to €8,000 for the full programme, with some executive or highly specialised programmes costing more. For non-EU students and private colleges, fees vary widely, so it is important to check the individual institution.
Overview
University tuition in Athens depends mainly on whether you are studying at a public university or a private college, and whether the course is undergraduate or postgraduate. In Greece, first-cycle undergraduate studies at public universities are generally tuition-free for EU students under the constitutional framework for public higher education, although students still need to budget for living costs, books and administrative expenses. In Athens, the better-documented tuition fees are usually for postgraduate programmes, especially master's degrees offered by major public universities such as the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens University of Economics and Business, and the National Technical University of Athens. For taught master's programmes in Athens, verified fees commonly sit in the low-to-mid thousands of euros for the whole course, often for one to two academic years. Some programmes are priced per semester, while others quote a single total fee. International students may face the same published tuition for many postgraduate programmes, but domestic versus international status matters more at undergraduate level and at private colleges. Because fees can differ sharply by subject area, language of instruction and whether the programme is standard academic or executive/professional, the safest approach is to use the official programme page for the exact course you want.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Public university undergraduate tuition in Greece (EU students)(per academic year) Public higher education undergraduate studies are generally tuition-free in Greece. Verified from source | €0 – €0 | Verified from source |
| Athens University of Economics and Business MSc International Shipping, Finance and Management(total programme fee) Official tuition fee published by the programme. Estimated range | ~€8,000 – €8,000 | Estimated range |
| National and Kapodistrian University of Athens MSc in Southeast European Studies: Politics, History, Economics(total programme fee) Official total tuition fee listed for the programme. Estimated range | ~€3,000 – €3,000 | Estimated range |
| National Technical University of Athens MSc in Water Resources Science and Technology(total programme fee) Official tuition fee published by the programme. Estimated range | ~€3,900 – €3,900 | Estimated range |
| Typical taught master's tuition at public universities in Athens(total programme fee) Estimated range based on verified Athens postgraduate examples from NKUA, NTUA and AUEB; actual fees depend on subject, duration and programme type. Estimated range | ~€3,000 – €8,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Tuition usually covers teaching and examinations
- It may also include access to university libraries and online platforms
- Accommodation, daily living costs and most personal study materials are usually extra
Duration
Undergraduate degrees at public universities in Greece are commonly 4 years; most master's programmes in Athens are typically 1 to 2 years.
How Fees Work
Public undergraduate tuition is generally free for EU students. Postgraduate fees are usually quoted as a total programme fee, sometimes payable in instalments or by semester.
Factors Affecting Price
- Level of study: public undergraduate courses are usually free, while master's programmes commonly charge tuition
- Institution type: public universities and private colleges have very different pricing structures
- Subject and format: engineering, business, executive and English-taught courses often cost more
- Programme duration: one-year programmes may have higher annual intensity, while two-year courses spread fees over longer study
- Student status: EU versus non-EU rules matter most for undergraduate admission and may affect fee policies in some cases
Local Context
In Athens, tuition is only part of the cost picture: rent and day-to-day living often make up the larger share of a student budget. Greece does not use tipping or service charges in the way some countries do for education-related costs, and VAT is not normally discussed as a separate add-on to published university tuition. Public university pricing is relatively standardised compared with the private college market, where fees can vary much more by international partnership and degree type.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in euros, the currency used in Greece.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Study in Greece · official
Public higher education undergraduate studies in Greece are generally tuition-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is university free in Athens?+
For undergraduate study at Greek public universities, tuition is generally free for EU students. This does not usually extend to taught master's programmes, which often charge tuition.
How much does a master's degree cost in Athens?+
Verified examples at public universities in Athens show master's tuition around €3,000 to €8,000 for the full programme, though some courses can be lower or higher depending on the subject and format.
Do international students pay more in Athens?+
It depends on the institution and programme. Many postgraduate courses publish one tuition fee for all students, but international status can matter more for undergraduate routes and for private-sector providers.
Are fees charged per year or for the whole course?+
In Athens, postgraduate programmes often publish a total fee for the whole master's course, though payment may be split into semesters or instalments.
Are private colleges in Athens more expensive than public universities?+
Usually yes. Public undergraduate study is generally free for eligible students, while private colleges charge tuition and can be substantially more expensive depending on the degree partnership and subject.
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