# Greece higher education reforms

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/greece-higher-education-reforms
> Updated: 2026-08-19T08:30:22.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 3.

The Greek higher-education overhaul progressed through mid-2026 with significant structural and infrastructural investments. A key component of the reform is a €48,471,560 modernisation plan approved by Deputy Minister Nikos Papathanasi. Funded by the European Social Fund’s Human Capital and Social Cohesion 2021–2027 programme, this initiative covers 25 universities and includes 51 specific actions. These actions establish specialized units for Student Support, Quality Assurance, Strategic Planning, Digital Governance, and a Teaching-and-Learning Support Centre to improve graduate employability and administrative efficiency.

To bolster academic staffing, an additional €12,070,846.11 was allocated under the same ESFA programme to support doctoral holders through autonomous teaching assignments. This measure targets ten initial institutions—including Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens—with further incorporation of the University of Patras and Panteion University. The total projected ESFA-funded budget for the 2024–2027 period is expected to reach approximately €85 million.

Parallel to these academic reforms, the Ministry of Education is implementing a broader €115.85 million national program for university infrastructure, with €70 million earmarked for regional institutions. Specific allocations include €2.33 million for the University of Patras to renovate buildings and upgrade laboratories, and an initial €3.5 million for the University of Ioannina as part of a larger €7 million maintenance package.

## Claims

- Deputy Minister Nikos Papathanasi approved the inclusion of 51 new actions for modernising Greek universities. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The actions are financed with €48,471,560 from the ESFA “Human Capital and Social Cohesion 2021‑2027” programme. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The programme involves 25 Greek higher‑education institutions. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Implementation of the actions will occur between November 2024 and July 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A Student Support Unit will be established to assist students during their studies and aid labour‑market entry. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A Quality Assurance Unit will be set up to improve educational and research quality. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A Strategic Planning Unit will be created for university strategic planning. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A Digital Governance Unit will be created to use ICT for simplifying university processes. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports is rolling out new funding for university infrastructure. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The University of Patras will receive 2.33 million euros for infrastructure upgrades. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Funding for the University of Patras includes upgrades to the Department of Architecture and the Department of Geology. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The University of Patras will receive fire detection and safety lighting systems for eight buildings in Rio. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-19: Greece allocates funds for university infrastructure upgrades

The Greek Ministry of Education is allocating funds for university upgrades, including 2.33 million euros for the University of Patras and 3.5 million euros for the University of Ioannina.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-allocates-funds-for-university-infrastructure-upgrades

### 2026-07-30: Greek Minister Nikos Papathanasi Allocates €12 Million for Doctoral Teaching Programs in Universities

Greek Deputy Minister Nikos Papathanasi allocates €12 million via ESFA for doctoral teaching experience programmes across ten universities, part of an €85 million 2024‑27 education budget.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-minister-nikos-papathanasi-allocates-12-million-for-doctoral-teaching-programs-in-universities

### 2026-07-29: Greece's Nikos Papathanasi Launches €48.4 million University Modernisation Plan

Greek Deputy Minister Nikos Papathanasi approved 51 actions, funded with €48.5 million, to modernise 25 universities via new support, quality, planning and digital units, to be implemented Nov 2024‑Jul 2026.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-deputy-minister-nikos-papathanasi-launches-484-million-university-modernization-and-student-em

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Cite as: Greece higher education reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/greece-higher-education-reforms