Greek student housing market faces rising rents and scarce public beds

A nationwide analysis by Spitogatos Insights shows the average asking rent for student accommodation rose 5.3% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Median monthly costs are about €543 in Athens and €496 in Thessaloniki, while the per‑square‑metre price in the most expensive cities reaches €13.4, with the highest rates on the islands of Corfu, Rhodes and Crete.

Public student dormitories provide only 9,200 functional beds for roughly 200,000 students studying away from home, covering just 4.6% of the demand. The shortfall drives most students to the private rental market, where studios and one‑bedroom flats in major university towns such as Patras, Ioannina and Larissa range from €200 to €700 per month, depending on location, condition and size.

Rent growth is strongest in tourist‑oriented locales, while some inland cities, notably Sparta and Agrinio, recorded modest declines. The overall pressure on housing costs is compounded by higher electricity prices, further stretching family budgets during the crucial period after university admissions are announced.