Greece's Deputy Minister Papaiannou outlines €737.5 m student housing plan

Deputy Minister for Education Nikos Papaiannou told parliament that the government is allocating €737.5 million for new student residence projects under public‑private partnerships at six universities. The funding includes a €105 million grant for the University of Western Macedonia and will create 8,609 new beds. Existing residences will be renovated, and the INEDIVIM programme will lease hotel rooms to provide an additional 570 beds in the 2026‑27 academic year, primarily in Kozani and Florina.

Papaiannou also reported that the student housing allowance has risen from about €42 million in 2019 to nearly €88 million for 2025. Despite the funding, 17 university towns and six institutions in Athens have no student residences, and current capacity covers only 7‑8 % of out‑of‑town students. Rental costs for a studio range from €400‑€600, while the monthly allowance is €166, leaving many students facing monthly expenses of €700‑€800. The new construction projects are scheduled for completion from 2028 onward, and energy‑efficiency upgrades to existing facilities are planned through 2032.