Most international students in Athens rent privately, because Greek universities offer very little housing to them. The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) puts indicative private accommodation at 300 to 400 euros, and its international students support unit says a one-bedroom student apartment costs around 350 to 500 euros. This guide sets out what the universities say about housing, what to expect to pay, and what to check before you sign a lease.
Details come from NKUA’s international relations office and its International Students Support Unit, and from the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), checked on 26 October 2026. Amounts are in euros. NKUA does not date its price figures, so treat them as guides and confirm current rents before you commit.
University housing in Athens
- NKUA student residences: NKUA runs a Student Residence Complex (FEPA in Greek) on its campus, made up of four buildings. It says you apply every September through its online service for the rooms available.
- Exchange students: NKUA’s international relations office says it works with the Erasmus Student Network (ESN KAPA Athens) to help foreign students find private accommodation, rather than offering residence places.
- AUEB: the university says Greek universities do not have student dorms for international students, so incoming students need to search for housing in Athens before they arrive. It says it helps with the search.
I could not confirm current room prices or eligibility rules for the NKUA residences, so check its residence service before you plan around a place there.
What private rooms and flats cost
| Figure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indicative private accommodation | 300 to 400 euros | NKUA international relations office |
| One-bedroom student apartment | About 350 to 500 euros | NKUA International Students Support Unit |
| Average rent per square metre | About 7.50 euros, up to 11 euros | NKUA support unit, citing xe.gr |
NKUA’s support unit adds that rents near the universities are usually higher than further out, and that rents are negotiable. Utilities such as electricity, water, gas and phone are usually not included, and most apartment blocks also charge shared building costs (called kinoxrista in Greek) for things like the cleaner, lift maintenance and electricity in the stairwells. Ask for these amounts in writing.
Deposits, contracts and documents
- Deposit: NKUA says renters are usually asked to pay a deposit equal to two months’ rent, returned when you leave if there is no damage or unpaid bills. Its support unit says the deposit should not be more than that.
- Tax number: you need a certificate of your Greek tax identification number to rent a flat, unless you are an Erasmus+ student staying in Greece for less than six months.
- Papers to bring: a copy of your ID or passport, and a tenancy agreement signed by both you and the landlord. NKUA links a sample agreement in English.
- Declaring the lease: NKUA says your landlord must declare the agreement on the Greek tax authority’s Taxisnet portal, up to 30 days after signing, so that you can accept it online.
- What the contract should state: start and end dates, the deposit, the monthly rent, extra costs, rent increases, a furniture list if the flat is furnished, and the notice period. NKUA says the notice is a minimum of one month if either side cancels.
Legal guides report that Greek law sets a three-year minimum term for residential leases, so ask how a one-year student term and an early exit will be written into your contract. Some guides also say there is no legal cap on deposits, which is a reason to get the amount and the return terms in writing.
Where to get help
NKUA points students to Study in Greece, which it describes as Greece’s official body for the internationalisation of higher education. Its HouSiG accommodation service at studyingreece.edu.gr/accommodation lists housing options through partner providers, and I could not read its prices, so check them directly. Exchange students can also join ESN KAPA Athens’ accommodation group on Facebook. NKUA’s support unit can be reached through its website for renting questions.
Greece’s student housing allowance is for undergraduates who are Greek or EU citizens, so international students from outside the EU should not plan on it. I have not ranked neighbourhoods or listed private blocks, because I could not verify current rents or availability against reliable sources. View a room in person or on a live video call, get a written lease and never pay before you have one. Before you commit, read our guide to university halls versus private housing, the checklist of what to look for before you sign and our safety guide.
FAQs about student accommodation in Athens
How much does student accommodation in Athens cost?
NKUA gives an indicative 300 to 400 euros for private accommodation, and its support unit puts a one-bedroom student apartment at about 350 to 500 euros. Rents are higher near the universities.
Do Athens universities have dorms for international students?
Very little. AUEB says Greek universities do not have dorms for international students, and NKUA directs exchange students to private housing, although it runs a residence complex with a September application.
How much deposit do I pay for a flat in Athens?
NKUA says it is usually two months’ rent, returned at the end if there is no damage or unpaid bills.
Do I need a tax number to rent in Greece?
Yes, NKUA says you need a tax identification number certificate, unless you are an Erasmus+ student staying less than six months.
Sources
- NKUA International Students Support Unit: accommodation
- NKUA international relations office: housing
- Athens University of Economics and Business: admissions information
- Athens School of Fine Arts: housing allowance
All checked 26 October 2026.
