Greek student housing rents surge up to 30% in 2026 as overall property prices climb

A new study of student housing in Greece shows rents have risen sharply in recent years. In the Piraeus university area, rents jumped 29.2% over the past three years, making it the most expensive student market. The Panteion University district remains the priciest, with an 11.3% increase, matching Piraeus. Other Athens zones saw varied moves: rents near ASOE rose 15.1%, while the Harokopio area stayed flat at €13 per square metre. In Thessaloniki, rents around the University of Macedonia rose 10%, and the Aristotelian University area remained the cheapest at €11.8 per square metre.

The broader Greek property market also continued to tighten in the second quarter of 2026. The Spitogatos price index recorded a 6.1% year‑on‑year rise in average asking prices for homes sold, slower than the 9.7% rise a year earlier. Rental asking prices grew modestly, just 1.3% annually. The South suburbs of Athens and the Cyclades remained the costliest regions for buying and renting, with average sale prices above €4,200 per square metre and rental rates around €14 per square metre.

Short‑term rentals are further shrinking the supply of small apartments for students, especially in tourist‑heavy cities such as Chania, Rhodes and the islands, forcing many students to accept higher rents or limited options. At the same time, banks have increased loan‑to‑value ratios, extending greater financing despite rising home prices, which pushes buyers to rely on larger mortgages.