Cypriot students face race for housing in Greece as university results near

Economy GreecestudentsTop Newsuniversities Cypriot students face race for housing in Greece as university results near Cypriot Students Face Race For Housing In Greece As University Results Near Relevant News Cypriot students face race for housing in Greece as university results near 25 August 2026 A generation lost to the tarmac 25 August 2026 The isolated and the empty-headed 25 August 2026 Charalambos Zakos 25 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber About 3,100 Cypriot students who applied to Greek universities are awaiting the release of exam results within days, philenews has learned. For those who secure a place, the anxiety will not end there: they will then have to find student accommodation in Greece within a tight timeframe. Successful applicants face a disadvantage compared with Greek classmates living outside their university city, who already know where they have been placed and in many cases have already rented accommodation. Cypriot students and their families will have only a short window to travel to Greece and begin searching for housing, often in areas they do not know and without anyone to guide them, leaving them to either search blind or turn to an estate agent. Rents have risen In previous years, student rents in Greece were noticeably lower than in Cyprus, easing the financial burden on families. According to research by Greek media, rental prices have now reached levels comparable to Cyprus, particularly in areas popular with Cypriot students such as Zografou in Athens and around major universities. What we found in listings A check of live listings on August 25, 2026 found rents ranging from 320 euros for just 23 square metres in Ioannina to 600 euros for 45 square metres near universities in Thessaloniki. In Zografou, one of Athens’ most in-demand student areas, a 52-square-metre fourth-floor flat with one bedroom, a living room, balconies and storage was listed at 500 euros a month, in an advert dated August 9. In Kallithea, near the Harokopio area’s university faculties, a furnished 40-square-metre studio on the sixth floor was listed at 550 euros a month, with the listing updated on August 19. In Piraeus’ Kastella district, a 30-square-metre semi-basement studio with one bedroom and appliances, listed as immediately available, was offered at 400 euros a month. In Thessaloniki, near the TIF-Universities area, a furnished 45-square-metre two-room studio close to the universities and bus and metro stops was listed at 600 euros a month plus 30 euros in communal charges. In Patra city centre, a fully renovated and furnished 34-square-metre studio, renovated in 2026, including Wi-Fi, was listed at 450 euros a month. In Ioannina, one of the cheaper options found was a 23-square-metre studio with appliances and air conditioning in the city centre, close to a bus stop serving the universities, listed at 320 euros a month. These listings are indicative rather than representative of market averages, since prices vary significantly depending on exact location, the property’s condition and age, floor, furnishing and amenities. They do, however, illustrate the range Cypriot families are likely to face, particularly around major universities and areas popular with Cypriot students. Overall, the market shows sharp differences. Athens and Thessaloniki are recording the greatest pressure, particularly around universities, while cheaper options remain available in regional student cities. According to data published in the Greek press for the first half of 2026, asking prices for small properties of 15 to 50 square metres within 1.5 kilometres of major universities in Athens and Thessaloniki reach up to 13.7 euros per square metre in the most expensive areas, meaning a 40-square-metre flat could cost around 550 euros a month as a general estimate, rather than a fixed price for all properties of that size. Where rents are highest in Athens The most expensive areas are around Panteion University and the University of Piraeus, where asking prices reach 13.7 euros per square metre, followed by the area around Harokopio University at 13 euros, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens at 12.3 euros and the Athens University of Economics and Business at 12.2 euros per square metre. Prices have also risen sharply in recent years: asking prices around the University of Piraeus have increased by 29.2% in three years, while the area around the University of West Attica has seen a cumulative rise of 23%. In central Athens, the average asking price has reached 12.58 euros per square metre, up 7.3% year-on-year. On this basis, a 35-square-metre studio costs around 440 euros a month, and a 50-square-metre flat around 630 euros. In Zografou, traditionally the most popular area among Cypriot students, the average price stands at 11.83 euros per square metre, up 6.3%, putting a 35-square-metre studio at around 420 euros and a 50-square-metre flat at around 590 euros. In Kallithea, near Panteion University where many Cypriots study, the average asking price reaches 11.53 euros per square metre, compared with 11.40 euros in Piraeus and 10.90 euros in Egaleo. Thessaloniki not cheap either The situation is relatively better in Thessaloniki, though small flats near universities can no longer be considered a cheap option. Around Aristotle University, asking prices stand at about 11.8 euros per square metre, while near the University of Macedonia they reach around 12 euros per square metre. Final prices are also affected by a property’s age, condition, distance from the university and whether it is renovated and furnished. More options in Patra Regional cities offer a wider range of options, though renovated or newly built properties can still reach high prices. In Patra, an unrenovated studio in the centre, from Ipsila Alonia to Agia Sofia, rents for between 280 and 350 euros a month, rising to 350-400 euros if renovated and furnished. A one-bedroom flat starts at around 400 euros and can reach 700 euros if renovated, furnished or newly built, while small studios of up to 30 square metres outside the centre can be found from around 200 euros. In Ioannina, a studio in the centre costs around 350 euros a month, rising to around 450 euros for a renovated or new one-bedroom flat. Properties with higher rents that include bills such as electricity, heating and water are also available, with studios costing 430-450 euros and one-bedroom flats reaching 600-650 euros a month in these cases. In Larissa, a larger supply of small flats appears to be keeping prices lower than in other student cities, with rents starting at around 200 euros a month and reaching up to 450 euros for fully equipped studios. The final price depends on the area, the property’s age and condition, and the amenities included in the rent. 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