Thousands of Greek families are experiencing a real nightmare in their effort to secure student housing for their children. After the announcement of grades, parents face a dramatic reality: rents have reached unaffordable heights, making finding suitable accommodation an almost impossible mission. According to a report by Apogeumatini, the explosive increase in rents in recent years has transformed university cities into inaccessible destinations for student housing. Central apartments of just 50 square meters cost up to €800 monthly, while the development of short-term rentals due to tourism further deteriorates the situation.
Shocking complaints from the islands
Particularly alarming are the complaints coming from island destinations such as Corfu and Crete. Property owners impose outrageous terms, demanding students vacate apartments during summer months or imposing rent increases of up to 500% for the tourist season. These practices make student housing even more inaccessible for families.
Student housing: Availability and prices by city
According to an exclusive analysis by Prosperty company, Thessaloniki offers the largest availability of properties up to 60 square meters with 5,613 residences. Athens follows with 3,980 and Patras with 3,876 available residences. Of these, 52% are renovated while the remaining 48% need work.
Regarding prices, the average rent per square meter is as follows:
• Athens: €12 per square meter
• Thessaloniki and Heraklion: €11 per square meter
• Patras and Ioannina: €10 per square meter
Notable is the increase in availability in Athens, where from 8,021 residences in the first half of 2024, the number reached 13,094 for the corresponding period of 2025.
The challenges facing parents
Themistoklis Bakas, president of the Panhellenic Network E-Real Estates, points out that families with financial comfort have already secured student housing. However, many parents wait for the announcement of admission bases to save one to two months of rent, while some postpone the search until September.
Most parents seek studio apartments aiming not to exceed €400 monthly. However, they are forced to increase their budget, as with €300 to €350 they only find old, non-renovated residences of 18 to 20 square meters from the 1970s-1980s.
The roommate solution and its risks
In an effort to save money, many families turn to roommate arrangements. This choice is common among first-year students when families know each other, as well as in later years where children have developed friendships. The search usually focuses on two-bedroom apartments near metro stations, which again drives up prices.
However, roommate arrangements carry significant risks. When one roommate decides to leave the apartment, the remaining student is obligated to cover the entire rent, as both names appear on the contract with the full rental amount. Student housing remains a serious nightmare for thousands of Greek families, requiring immediate solutions from the state to address this critical situation.
