Greece to restore licenses for three foreign university branches

Greek Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki has announced measures to resolve the licensing crisis for three foreign university branches following decisions by the Council of State. The court's rulings revoked the operating licenses for branches of Keele University, the University of York, and Anatolia College due to administrative and procedural deficiencies rather than the constitutionality of the private higher education framework itself.

Specifically, the issues identified include the need for more specialized curriculum certification criteria by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (EThAAE), concerns regarding the impartiality of evaluation committees, and delays in verifying compliance with building facility requirements.

Minister Zacharaki stated that Keele and York are expected to regain their licenses within the week, while Anatolia College is projected to do so by next week. The Ministry aims to ensure the continuity of studies for currently enrolled students and is working to update regulatory frameworks to meet judicial standards. Additionally, the Minister addressed broader educational topics, including the allocation of approximately 90 million euros for student housing allowances in 2026 and plans to increase student dormitory capacity.