Schools and education in Greece 2026: public, international, Russian schools and universities

Education in Greece for children: four parallel worlds

To avoid confusion, let's lay out the system right away. Education in Greece for foreigners' children is four different tracks, and the choice between them determines not just the family's budget, but which language the child grows up speaking and where they'll be able to enroll after school.

• Public schools- fully free, in the Greek language. Suit families who've come to Greece long-term and want their children to fully integrate into the local environment.
• International schools- private, with British, American programs or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Taught in English, diplomas recognized worldwide. The choice of those unsure they'll stay in Greece forever, or who want to keep their child's flexibility for enrolling at foreign universities.
• Greek private schools- paid gymnasiums and colleges taught in Greek, but with intensive English, smaller classes, and a strong reputation.
• Russian-speaking options- Saturday and Sunday community schools, the school at the Russian Embassy, and distance programs for those who want to preserve the Russian language and a Russian diploma.

An important point that removes half the worries: children of legal residents of Greece have the right to education on equal terms with citizens. So as soon as the family has a residence permit (for example under the Golden Visa program or financially independent person status), the child can go both to a free public school and to any private one - it's just a matter of choice and budget. We write more about how a family's relocation works in the article onrelocating to Greece.

Greece's public schools: free, but in Greek

Public education in Greece is free and mandatory for children aged 4 to 15. It's run by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports. The main and only truly serious advantage of this track is obvious - it costs the family nothing. Children of legal residents are enrolled in public schools on equal terms with Greek citizens.

The structure looks like this:

• Nipiagogeio- kindergarten, mandatory from age 4.
• Dimotiko- primary school, 6 years of study (roughly ages 6-12).
• Gymnasio- middle school, 3 years (ages 12-15), this is where mandatory education ends.
• Lykeio- high school, 3 years, prepares for university entrance through the national exams (Panellinies).

Enrollment in primary school is strictly tied to the address of residence: the child goes to the school of their registered district. This means the choice of public school is effectively determined by where the family rents or buys housing.

The main barrier is the language. Teaching is in Greek, and for a child who doesn't know it, the first months will be hard. There isn't much structural support for non-speaking children in Greece, but there's something: schools organize additional Greek lessons after class, up to 10 hours a week under the foreign-student support program. Practice shows children under 10-11 pick up the language in a year to a year and a half and then study with no problems, but teenagers find adapting harder. So a public school is more often chosen for younger children, and an international one is favored for older ones.

International schools in Greece: British, IB, and American

International schools in Greece are a separate universe for those who value English-language teaching and a globally recognized diploma. Here the child studies under the British program with IGCSE and A-Level exams, the American system, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) - the latter especially valued by university admissions committees worldwide.

A few benchmarks for specific institutions (names given to understand the market, not a ranking):

• American Community Schools (ACS) Athens- the largest American school, offering the American curriculum and the IB Diploma.
• St. Catherine's British School- a British school, known for a strong International Baccalaureate program.
• Byron College, Campion School, St. Lawrence College- British schools with England's national curriculum and A-Level.

The main advantage of international schools is universality. The child isn't tied to Greece: with an IB or A-Level diploma they can enroll at universities in Britain, the US, continental Europe, or return to any other country without losing a year. English-language teaching removes the adaptation problem for most children from Russian-speaking families who've already studied English.

There's exactly one downside, but a heavy one - cost. This is the most expensive education track in Greece, and admission fees, the school bus, meals, and IB exam fees are almost always added to the official tuition. We break down prices in detail in a separate section below.

Greek private schools: the golden mean

Between the free public school and the expensive international one there's a third path often underestimated - Greek private schools. These are paid gymnasiums and colleges taught mostly in Greek, but with a seriously enhanced foreign-language program, smaller classes, and a stronger academic reputation than the average public school.

Who this option suits:

• Families who've come long-term.If the plan is to live in Greece for years and eventually get a residence permit, permanent residence, or citizenship, it makes sense for the child to have fluent Greek. A private Greek school gives both language and quality.
• For those for whom international education is too expensive.Greek private schools are usually noticeably cheaper than British and American ones - the price range is closer to the lower end of international schools.
• For children who already know some Greekor are young enough to learn it quickly.

Many prestigious Greek private colleges have bilingual departments and offer IB alongside a Greek diploma - effectively combining the advantages of both tracks. Such a child gets both full integration into Greek society and an internationally recognized diploma. This is often the optimal choice for a family that has firmly decided to settle in the country. Read about how life in the capital works in the article onlife in Athens.

How much school costs in Greece: a “school type - language - cost” table

Let's bring all the tracks together into one table so the main thing is visible - the language of teaching and the price range. The figures are approximate, as an annual tuition fee for one child in 2026; the exact cost depends on the school, city, and grade. Note that at international schools an admission fee (1,000 to 3,500 EUR one-off), the bus (about 2,000-3,500 EUR a year), meals, and exam fees are almost always added to the base fee.

Useful context: international education experts note that Athens is about 25-35% cheaper than Paris, Munich, or Madrid, and almost 60% cheaper than Zurich and Geneva at a comparable school level. So for premium international education, Greece is one of the most accessible destinations in Western Europe. To plan the overall family budget, see our breakdownthe cost of living in Greece.

Kindergartens and preschool education

Preschool education in Greece starts earlier than in many countries. For the last two years before school (from age 4) attending Nipiagogeio kindergarten is mandatory and free in the public system. Before this age the child can be sent to a nursery (Vrefonipiakos stathmos) or a private kindergarten.

What's important for parents to know:

• Public kindergartensare free, operate in Greek, and are tied to the district. This is a great way for a young child to learn the language naturally and stress-free - at ages 4-5 children absorb Greek in literally a few months.
• Private and international kindergartensoffer English or a bilingual environment, a more flexible schedule, and extended hours, convenient for working parents. The cost of a private kindergarten is roughly 300 to 800 EUR a month depending on the city and format.
• International schoolsoften have their own preschool departments (Early Years, Kindergarten), from which the child smoothly transitions to first grade at the same school.

Practical advice: if the family plans to send the child to a Greek public or private school, it makes sense to start specifically with a public kindergarten. A year or two in a Greek-speaking environment at preschool age removes the main barrier - the language - before serious studies even begin.

How to enroll a child in school: documents and timelines

The enrollment procedure depends on the school type, but the basic document set and logic are similar everywhere. For a legal resident this is generally not difficult - children with a residence permit are accepted on equal terms with citizens.

What's usually required:

• Residency documents- the parents' and child's residence permit, proof of address (for a public school the address determines exactly which school the child is enrolled at).
• Birth certificateof the child with an official translation into Greek and an apostille.
• Medical certificates and a vaccination record- the list of mandatory vaccinations is set by Greece's Ministry of Health.
• Documents on previous education- report cards, diplomas with translation, if the child is transferring from a school in another country.
• AFM (tax number)- often required from parents during enrollment.

Timelines: the school year in Greece runs from September to June, main enrollment for public schools happens in spring (usually May-June) for the following year. International and private schools accept applications year-round, but it's worth applying to popular schools well in advance - spots are limited, and there are sometimes entrance interviews or tests. Current government-services requirements and forms can always be checked on the official portalGreece's government services (gov.gr).

Choosing a district: how real estate determines the school

This is a link underestimated at the start and then expensively fixed later. In Greece the district of residence directly determines the school available to the child - both for the public and the international track.

Why this is so important:

• Public schoolis assigned strictly by the registered address. Want a specific strong public school - you need to live in its district.
• International schoolsare geographically concentrated. Most British, IB, and American schools are located in Athens and the southern/northern suburbs - districts like Kifisia, Glyfada, Psychiko, Koroni, Vouliagmeni. If the family settles far away, the child will spend an hour to an hour and a half commuting each way.
• The school busof international schools covers certain zones - living outside the zone, you'll have to drive the child yourself.

So a sensible relocation strategy is the opposite: first the family decides on the school, then selects housing within a reasonable distance from it. This is especially important when buying property for the Golden Visa - it makes sense to look for a property not just “in a good district of Athens”, but near the needed school. We always factor this in when selecting property for families with children. Basic residency conditions are broken down in the article ona residence permit in Greece.

Education in Greece for foreigners: where to start

Let's put together a practical algorithm for a family just planning to relocate and thinking about education in Greece for children. Education in Greece for foreigners is available at all levels - it's a matter of the right sequence of steps.

Step-by-step logic:

• Step 1. Determine the horizon.If you're relocating for good - lean toward a Greek school (public or private) for full integration and an inexpensive university at EU prices. If unsure or valuing mobility - an international school with IB/A-Level.
• Step 2. Account for the child's age.Younger children find it easier in a Greek environment, they'll learn the language quickly. Teenagers are more comfortable in an international school in English.
• Step 3. Choose the school before choosing housing.Then select property within its catchment area.
• Step 4. Arrange residency.Without legal status, a child won't get full access to the education system. A residence permit through the Golden Visa, financially independent person status, or digital nomad status solves this issue for the whole family.
• Step 5. Add a Russian school,if preserving the language matters - a Sunday or distance one, alongside the main school.

Newcomers' main mistake is leaving the school question for later. In practice it should be one of the first, because the district, the property type, and even the suitable visa strategy all depend on it.

An expert's view: typical mistakes when choosing a school

Over years of supporting families relocating to Greece we've seen parents tripped up not by rare things, but by the same recurring miscalculations. Let's break them down so you don't lose time and money.

• Buying housing and then looking for a school.The most common and costly mistake. School first - then property in its catchment area, not the other way around.
• Sending a teenager to a public school without the language.A 14-15-year-old who doesn't know Greek will struggle in a public school. For older children an international school is more reliable.
• Underestimating international schools' hidden costs.Fees, the bus, meals, and IB exams are added to the tuition - the final amount can be 30-40% above the base figure in the price list.
• Forgetting about the Russian language.Children fully immersed in a Greek or English environment lose fluent Russian in a couple of years. Sunday school costs pennies and removes the problem.
• Delaying enrollment.Enrollment at strong schools happens six months to a year ahead, sometimes with tests. Latecomers either wait a year or take what's left.

Education is a marathon lasting the child's whole childhood. The earlier the strategy is built, and the more tightly it's connected to the choice of district and residency, the calmer and cheaper the relocation goes.

Universities in Greece: English-language programs at EU prices

Looking beyond school, higher education in Greece is a strong and underrated argument for relocation. Greek universities are part of the European education area, diplomas are recognized across Europe, and tuition for EU citizens is incomparably lower than in Britain or the US.

Key centers of higher education:

• Athens- the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, one of the oldest in the country.
• Thessaloniki- Aristotle University, the largest university in Greece.
• The International Hellenic University- the first public university where all courses are taught only in English.

The language-of-teaching situation is this: Greece has more than 200 English-language programs, but at the bachelor's level at public universities there aren't many yet - more choice is at the master's level and private colleges. For EU citizens, education at public universities is often free or costs nominally; for foreigners from outside the EU and on English-language programs, the fee is usually from 1,500 to 9,000 EUR a year - for the University of Athens this range goes up to about 4,800 EUR, for Aristotle University up to about 5,000 EUR. Private colleges charge from 6,000 to 15,000 EUR a year.

The connection to the school track matters here: a child who finished a Greek public or private school enrolls at a local university through the national exams, and for a family with European residency studies at a discounted EU price. This is exactly the long-term saving many choose the Greek rather than the international school track for.

A Russian school in Greece: how to preserve the language and diploma

A separate and very common question for Russian-speaking families: how not to lose your native language and, if desired, get a Russian diploma while living in Greece? There's essentially one full in-person Russian school in Greece - the secondary school at the Russian Embassy in Greece, founded by Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It gives full secondary education under the Russian curriculum in person, but spots are few and it's tied to Athens.

For most families three formats work more realistically:

• Sunday and Saturday community schools.About 18 Sunday Russian-language schools operate in Greece, including the well-known “MIR” Russian school in Athens and the “Slavyanka” school. Children go there once a week, keeping up their Russian language, literature, sometimes math and history - alongside their main Greek or international school.
• Distance learning under the Russian curriculum.Schools like “Rossiyskiy Attestat” allow studying online at a convenient time and getting a Russian education document, combining this with in-person study at a Greek school.
• Russian centers in the regions.Besides Athens and Thessaloniki, where most are concentrated, individual schools are found in Patras, Volos, Kavala, Kalamata, Chania, Heraklion, and other cities.

In practice the optimal scheme for a Russian-speaking family is: a main school (public, Greek private, or international) for the diploma and integration, plus a Sunday Russian school for language and culture. This gives the child bilingualism with no loss of academic level.

Bottom line: which school to choose in Greece

Greece offers a rare combination - international education affordable by Western European standards, free public schools for residents, and inexpensive universities with EU-recognized diplomas. Which track to choose depends on the family's plans, not an abstract ranking.

Briefly by situation:

• Relocating for good, the child is young- a Greek school (public free or private) plus a Sunday Russian school. Result: full integration and an inexpensive university at EU prices.
• Value mobility or the child is a teenager- an international school with IB or A-Level. Result: a globally recognized diploma and enrollment in any country.
• Want the golden mean- a Greek private school with a bilingual department and IB. Result: both the Greek language and an international diploma.

In all cases the foundation is the same - legal resident status for the whole family, which opens access to education and allows planning a long-term life in Greece. If you're considering relocating with children, it makes sense to build a strategy of three connected parts right away: school, district of residence, and residence permit. It's exactly in this combination that we help families - from selecting property near the needed school to arranging the residence permit turnkey.