Greek Education Ministry Unveils National Diploma Reform for University Admissions

The Greek Ministry of Education announced a comprehensive reform that will introduce a National Diploma to replace the traditional Panhellenic examinations for university entry. The new system aims to lower student stress by shifting emphasis from a single high‑stakes exam to continuous assessment of learning progress, skills, certifications and extracurricular activities throughout secondary school.

Minister Sofia Zacharaki said the change will be phased in, with students entering first grade in 2026‑2027 exempt from the new rules. The legislation is expected to be passed between late 2026 and early 2027 after the final report of the expert committee is submitted in October. The reform was developed through a nationwide electronic consultation, drawing on expertise from Finland, France and other international bodies, and will create a personal learning profile for each student that includes career guidance, sports achievements, language proficiency and volunteer work.