Finding student housing is shaping up to be a tough challenge once again this year for thousands of families, as rents continue to climb and renovated apartments are capturing an ever-larger share of the market — though they come with significantly higher asking prices. The latest data from Spitogatos Insights for the second quarter of 2026 shows that average asking rents for student housing rose by 5.3% nationwide compared to a year ago. While the rate of increase is slightly lower than the 5.9% recorded during the same period in 2025, prices remain at their highest levels in recent years, placing an even greater burden on the cost of studying.
Student housing: Renovated apartments cost up to 30% more
In this environment, the condition of a property is becoming a decisive factor in determining rent levels. According to data from Spitogatos.gr, renovation can push asking prices up by as much as 30%, creating significant gaps between properties of the same size located in the same neighborhood.
A telling example can be found in Gkýzi and Pedion tou Areos — two areas that attract strong interest from students due to their proximity to university campuses. There, a renovated apartment of up to 60 sq.m. rents for an average of €13.6 per square meter, compared to €10.6 per sq.m. for a non-renovated equivalent. The difference stands at 28.3%, meaning that for a 50 sq.m. apartment, the average asking rent jumps from approximately €530 to €680 per month — an increase of around €150.
Significant gaps are also observed in other popular student neighborhoods. In Patisia, renovation adds approximately 25% to the asking rent; in Dafni, 16.2%; and in Kallithea, 14.2%. The largest gap is recorded in Ilion, where renovated apartments are listed at up to 34% more — although the area is not a primary choice for students.
At the same time, prices across the rest of Attica continue to reach new highs. The northern suburbs remain the most expensive zone in the Athens basin, with an average asking price of €15.5 per sq.m., followed by the southern suburbs at €13.7 per sq.m. In Piraeus, the average asking price stands at €12.6 per sq.m., while in the surrounding Piraeus suburbs it sits at €11 per sq.m. The western suburbs recorded the largest annual increase in Attica (+6.7%), with the average price reaching €11.5 per sq.m. These figures translate into particularly high monthly rents for small apartments. In the Municipality of Athens, a 50 sq.m. apartment now commands an average asking rent of approximately €665 per month; in the northern suburbs, it exceeds €770; while in the southern suburbs it approaches €685. In Piraeus, a similarly sized apartment averages around €630 per month.
Tourist areas see the biggest rent increases
The intense pressure on rental prices is not limited to Attica. The largest increases nationwide are concentrated mainly in tourist areas, where the proliferation of short-term rentals has significantly reduced the available supply of long-term housing. Rhodes recorded the steepest annual increase at 16.6%, with an average asking price of €13.3 per sq.m. In Crete, Heraklion saw a 12% rise, with an average price of €12 per sq.m.; Rethymno climbed 10% to €13.2 per sq.m.; while in Chania the average stands at €12.9 per sq.m. Corfu continues to rank among the most expensive university towns in the country, with an average asking price of €13.4 per sq.m.
In Thessaloniki, prices vary significantly depending on proximity to Aristotle University and the University of Macedonia. The 40 Ekklisies – Evangelistria neighborhoods have now become the most expensive in the city, with an average price of €13 per sq.m. and an annual increase of 11.4%. The historic city center follows at €12.9 per sq.m., while in Triandria, Doxa, and Kryoneri prices settle at €11.7 per sq.m. By contrast, those willing to live farther from the universities can find more affordable options: in Evosmos the average price is €9 per sq.m., and in Stavroupoli it drops to €8.5 per sq.m.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the most affordable university towns in the country remain Lamia, with an average asking price of €6.8 per sq.m., followed by Agrinio and Drama at €7.2 per sq.m., and Serres and Samos at €7.3 per sq.m. Notable stability is also recorded in traditional university towns such as Patras, Volos, Rio, and Katerini, where average asking prices hold steady at €10 per sq.m. The sharpest decline was registered in Sparta, with a drop of 8.6%.
Despite the significant rise in prices, renovated properties are steadily increasing in number and now make up the majority of available listings in many central Athens neighborhoods. In Exarchia, 76% of available apartments are renovated; in Dafni, the figure reaches 74%; while in Pagkrati, Sepolia, Patisia, Plateia Attikis, and Ilisia it approaches 70%. Even in Moschato, which records the lowest share, renovated apartments still account for 55% of total supply. However, the term “renovated” does not always mean the same thing. Many landlords label a property as “renovated” after only minor work has been carried out — such as a fresh coat of paint or the replacement of bathroom fixtures. For this reason, prospective tenants are advised to carefully assess the actual condition of each property before agreeing to a higher asking rent.
The age of buildings also continues to shape the market landscape. In central Athens, 69.2% of available student housing was built before 1980, with only 13.6% constructed after 2000. In the western suburbs, the share of newer properties reaches 22.6%.
Published in Parapolitika
