Around 3,100 Cypriot students are waiting for the results of their applications to Greek universities. Once the admission lists are published, those who secure a place will face a race to find accommodation: local students and students from other regions often rent apartments in advance, so by the start of the academic year the choice is significantly reduced.
According to data current as of August 25, rental prices in popular student cities in Greece vary considerably. Prices depend on the area, apartment size, condition, whether the property is furnished and the distance from the university. Among the available listings were the following:
- Zografou, Athens — €500: a 52 m2 apartment with a bedroom, living room, balconies and storage room.
- Kallithea, Athens — €550: a furnished 40 m2 studio near university faculties.
- Piraeus — €400: a 30 m2 studio in the Kastella area, located on a semi-basement level.
- Thessaloniki — €600: a furnished 45 m2 apartment near the universities, with an additional €30 in communal expenses.
- Patras — €450: a renovated 34 m2 studio in the city centre, with Wi-Fi included in the price.
- Ioannina — €320: a 23 m2 studio in the city centre with appliances and air conditioning.
These are not average prices for the cities, but specific listings that were available at the time of the study. However, they provide a good indication of the range that Cypriot families may encounter.
Housing in Cyprus is even more expensive
The high cost of student rentals is also becoming a problem for those who remain in Cyprus to study. Today, the approximate cost of student accommodation is as follows:
- A room in a shared apartment — €350–650 per month.
- A studio — €500–950.
- A one-bedroom apartment in Larnaca and Paphos — around €500–600.
- Nicosia — €600–650.
- Limassol — €1,000–1,100.
During the summer months, an additional €80–150 may be added to the rent because of higher electricity and air-conditioning costs. This means that some Greek cities still offer more affordable options than Cyprus. For example, a studio in Ioannina for €320 or an apartment in Patras for €450 may be more economical than comparable accommodation on the island.
Rents in Greece are rising rapidly
Student housing in Greece has become noticeably more expensive in recent years. For example, near the University of Piraeus, rental prices have risen by 29.2% over three years, while near the University of West Attica they have increased by 23%. In central Athens, average rent reached €12.58 per 1 m2, up 7.3% over the year. In Zografou, one of the most popular areas among students, the figure increased by 6.3% to €11.83 per 1 m2.
Outside Athens, housing can be considerably more affordable. In Patras and Larissa, small apartments can be found from around €200 per month, while in Ioannina prices start from around €350. For Cypriot families, timing is another problem: if university admission results are published late, the most affordable options may disappear from the market very quickly.
Against the backdrop of rising property prices and rents, the issue of student housing is becoming increasingly significant in both Greece and Cyprus. For the approximately 3,100 Cypriot students who are expected to receive their admission results in the coming days, the issue will be especially relevant: the later the search begins, the fewer affordable options will remain.