Studying in Greece holds numerous attractions for international students:
Gateway to European Residence: Admission to a Greek university provides the opportunity to establish permanent residency in a European country.
No Entrance Exams: Foreign students are exempt from entrance exams, with admission based on a competition of school certificates.
Tuition-Free Education: Education in Greece is entirely cost-free, encompassing textbooks, cafeteria meals, and often on-campus accommodation.
European Recognized Diplomas: Graduates receive a European diploma, recognized throughout the European Union.
Student Work Opportunities: The student residence permit allows part-time employment.
Post-Graduation Prospects: Upon obtaining a diploma, graduates can stay in Greece to pursue employment in their chosen field.
Admission to Greek universities entails a specific procedure involving document collection both in your home country and in Greece. Additionally, applicants are required to achieve proficiency in the Greek language, typically at a B2 level, with a one-year grace period provided by the state for language study.
Required Documents for Admission
The documentation requirements for admission can be categorized into two groups: those collected in your home country and those acquired in Greece. In your home country, you’ll need:
. School certificate with an Apostille stamp, obtainable from the Ministry of Education (usually within 40 days).
. Birth certificate with an Apostille stamp, issued by the regional registry office (1-3 days).
. Certificates confirming your completion of a full-time course in your home country, adhering to the state’s educational program. These copies, previously notarized, should be Apostilled at the Ministry of Justice.
. A certificate verifying that your school certificate allows university entry in your home country. This certificate does not require further certification and can be obtained from the Greek consular office in your home country.
. A certificate of nationality, obtainable at the consular office of your home country in Greece and certified by a Greek ministerial office.
. A document translating your grades into the 20-point system used in Greece, issued by the Greek Education Department within two working days. Additionally, all Russian documents must be translated into Greek by a certified Greek lawyer.
. When submitting documents to the Ministry of Education in Greece, you must provide a copy of your passport, an original signed statement of responsibility (available on the Greek Ministry of Education website), a notarized copy of your certificate, a copy of the certificate allowing university entry in your home country, a document translating grades to the 20-point system, and a recent photograph. If you intend to apply in person in Greece, you should also attach a notarized copy of a valid visa.
Document Collection and Submission Deadlines
Generally, the platform for applying to Greek higher education institutions opens in mid to late July each year and remains available for about a week. During this time, you must submit your application and dispatch the required documents to the Greek Ministry of Education via courier.
To allow sufficient time for document preparation, it is advisable to start at least 2-4 months before the platform’s proposed opening date. The Apostille stamp on the school certificate can take up to 40 days to obtain, and it’s best to provide some margin for potential delays.
Results and enrollment information are typically available in late August or early September and can be viewed on the Greek Ministry of Education’s website.
Greek Language Courses
As previously mentioned, admission to a Greek university necessitates a B2-level Greek language certificate. To help students acquire this language proficiency, Greece offers an additional year of language study after university enrollment.
You can enroll in language courses at the start of the school year by contacting the secretariat of Modern Greek language schools in Athens or Thessaloniki. These courses begin in late Sptember or October and conclude in early June, culminating in a Greek proficiency test, which awards a certificate. Examinations are held in June or July and can be retaken in September, providing a second chance to secure certification.
Student Residence Permit in Greece
Admission to a Greek university is the key to obtaining a student residence permit. This permit, initially valid for one year, can be renewed. To secure this permit, you need to provide evidence of enrollment and a specific set of documents, including:
Required Documents for the Residence Permit:
. Original valid passport and copies of all its pages.
. A valid visa that allowed your entry into Greece.
. Four recent photographs and a CD with electronic copies of the photos.
. Proof of enrollment in a Greek university.
. Confirmation of sufficient funds in your account (at least 500 euros).
. Proof of health insurance covering a three-month period.
. State payment receipts for obtaining the residence permit (150 euros) and issuing the residence permit card (16 euros).
. Evidence of your residence and address in Greece.
. A certificate from a Greek state medical institution confirming the absence of diseases.
Residence Permit Application and Renewal Process
To obtain a student residence permit, you must first secure a type D visa from the Greek consulate in your home country. Once in Greece, during the validity period of your visa, you can apply for a one-year residence permit. These permits are renewable each year until the end of your study period. After graduation, you can extend it for an additional year for other reasons.
Rights Granted by the Residence Permit
Similar to other residence permits, a student residence permit offers the privilege of permanent residence in Greece and unrestricted travel within the Schengen countries. Additionally, it permits part-time employment during school hours (up to four hours per day) and full employment during the summer months.
Students can renew their residence permit up to six times: one year for Greek language study, four main years of study, and two additional years. Since 2020, Greece has harmonized its legislation with EU directives, allowing university graduates to seek employment in their field within the country. Graduates are granted an additional year to find a job based on their obtained diploma.