Greek higher education regulatory updates

The Greek Ministry of Education has outlined several regulatory frameworks regarding university enrollment and student status. In August 2026, Deputy Minister Nikos Papaioannou confirmed that the rules for mutual student transfers for the 2026–27 academic year would remain unchanged. These rules allow transfers between comparable departments and semesters without merit or income requirements, though restrictions remain on transfers involving universities in the Attica and Thessaloniki regions to prevent student concentration.

By September 2026, the focus shifted to the deregistration of long-term students, often referred to as ‘eternal’ students. Following a phase that deregistered approximately 308,000 students from four-year programs, a second phase is scheduled to conclude by December 31, 2026. This phase targets students in five-year programs, such as polytechnic schools, who entered before 2016, as well as those who failed to complete their studies within granted additional time despite completing at least 70% of their credits.

Deputy Minister Papaioannou emphasized that no further extensions would be granted for this process, stating that such measures are necessary to address students who have remained enrolled for decades without graduating. Officials estimate that between 40,000 and 50,000 students in five-year programs could face deregistration. Additionally, the Ministry noted that the deadline for new students from the Panhellenic Exams to complete electronic enrollment via the official gov.gr platform is currently expiring.