Greece

They say that in Greece the land is not just dirt, but memory layered under a generous sun, ready to illuminate your next chapter. Moving to a new country for studies is more than just a change of coordinates on the map; it is a symbolic rebirth, a passage from the familiar to the unknown, where the Aegean breeze intertwines with the thrill of a new academic beginning. From the majestic shadow of the Acropolis in Athens to the vibrant, lively streets of Thessaloniki, Greece awaits you not just as a visitor, but as a future citizen of its spirit.

However, every initiatory journey has its own labyrinth. Before you can get lost in the narrow alleys of Plaka or catch the perfect sunset in a Greek port, you will have to tame another ancestral force: the local bureaucracy. The Greek administrative labyrinth can sometimes seem as mysterious as the myths of antiquity, but you won’t have to navigate it alone. We’ve gathered Ariadne’s thread for you in this guide, ordering every step — from visas and tax codes to finding your first home among the olive trees. Whether you’re coming from the heart of Europe or thousands of miles away, this roadmap will turn your uncertainty into safety, letting you focus on what really matters: studying, discovering, and writing your own legend.

 Roadmap

STEP 1

Visa and Entry Requirements

This is the initial filter before booking any travel arrangements.

- EU Students: You do not need a visa to enter Greece. You can travel, enter, and stay using just a valid National ID card or passport from your home country.
 

- Non-EU Students: A National Student Visa (Type D) is strictly mandatory before entering the country. You must apply in person at the Greek Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The core requirement is proving financial self-sufficiency, which currently stands at €600–€700 per month (approximately €7,000–€8,000 per year), verified via personal bank statements or official sponsorship letters.
 

    STEP 2

    Getting Your Local Tax Number (AFM)

    The AFM (Arithmos Forologikou Mitrou) is a 9-digit tax identification number. It is the absolute key to unlocking Greek bureaucracy; without it, you cannot legally sign a rental contract or open a bank account.

    - EU Students: You can obtain this relatively quickly. You must visit the local tax office (DOY) or apply via your university's international relations office using your European ID/passport and an official student certificate.
     

    - Non-EU Students: This step is a strict pre-requisite before attempting to secure long-term accommodation. You must present your biometric passport containing the valid Type D visa at the tax office designated for foreign residents (DOY Katoikon Exoterikou) or utilize your university's administrative assistance framework.
     

      STEP 3

      Purchasing a Greek Mobile Number (+30)

      Having a local phone number is crucial for receiving automated SMS confirmation codes (2FA) required by Greek institutions and banks.

      - EU Students: While your home country's EU roaming plan will work perfectly fine for daily data and calls, you will still eventually need a local +30 number to link with local banking applications. You can purchase a prepaid student SIM card at any provider store using your ID.
       

      - Non-EU Students: This is an immediate priority upon arrival. Greek banking platforms do not reliably transmit 2FA or security activation codes to non-EU phone numbers. You must physically visit an official telecom store like Cosmote, Vodafone Greece, or Nova with your passport to activate a student prepaid plan. For internet access during your first few hours, you can download a digital data eSIM via Airalo.
       

        STEP 4

        Opening a Bank Account

        Unlike other European destinations, Greece does not offer instant alternative banking solutions (like purchasing a functional card from a tobacconist).

        - EU Students: You can freely use existing pan-European digital bank accounts (such as Revolut) for your daily expenses. However, if your university needs to process any local fee refunds, opening a traditional account at a major bank like Alpha Bank or Eurobank using your European ID and AFM is highly recommended.
         

        - Non-EU Students: You must complete a rigid Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification process at a major traditional bank, such as Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, or the National Bank of Greece. The standard document bundle includes your passport with the visa, your physical AFM document, your Greek phone number, your university enrollment letter, and occasionally a document proving your permanent address in your home country. Compliance verification typically takes 7 to 10 working days.
         

          STEP 5

          Finding Housing and Registering the Lease

          State-run student dormitories (Estia) are heavily congested and rarely allocated to international students during their first academic year. You will rely primarily on the private market.

          - EU Students: You can easily navigate verified mid-term platforms like Nostus or HeyStudent Greece. When finalized, you must provide your AFM to the landlord so they can register the contract digitally.
           

          - Non-EU Students: Landlords will strictly require copies of your passport, student visa, and AFM. Crucial Warning: Your private rental contract must be electronically submitted by the landlord into the government portal known as Taxisnet. You must log in and digitally accept this lease agreement; a simple paper contract is legally invalid and will cause an immediate rejection of your residence permit application. To safeguard your deposit payments before arrival, prioritize secure platforms like Nostus (which holds funds in escrow until 24 hours after move-in) or localized platforms like ThessNest for Thessaloniki.
           

            STEP 6

            Academic ID (Paso) and Meals Subsidies

            Greece does not offer direct monthly rental cash subsidies (such as the French CAF system) to international students, regardless of their nationality.

            - EU Students: Once you receive your university institutional login credentials, you must apply online via the Greek Academic ID Portal. This grants you the physical Paso card, giving you a mandatory 50% discount on all public transport networks (metro, city buses, and regional trains). You can also apply for free student accommodation at the university secretariat based on your family's EU income bracket.
             

            - Non-EU Students: You receive the exact same 50% transport discount via the online Paso card application. While you do not get rental cash assistance, the Greek state compensates by offering completely free daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at the university's student restaurant/canteen (Sitisi). You must submit a separate application packet directly to your faculty's student affairs office immediately upon enrollment.
             

              STEP 7

              Residence Permit and Healthcare Insurance

              This is the phase where the administrative paths of EU and Non-EU citizens diverge completely.

              - EU Students: You do not require a residence permit. If your academic program lasts longer than three months, you simply register your presence at the nearest local police station's Aliens Bureau (Tmima Allodapon) to receive a registration certificate. For healthcare, you are fully covered by bringing a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your home country.
               

              - Non-EU Students: This is a critical legal step. Your initial Type D visa is only valid for 90 days. Within your first few weeks in Greece, you must apply online through the official portal of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum to convert your visa into a Residence Permit for Studies (Adeia Diamonis).
               
              - Government Fee: You must pay an electronic state fee (e-paravolo) of €150.
               

              - Mandatory Health Insurance: You cannot access free state healthcare automatically. To get your residence permit approved, you are legally required to purchase a private Greek health insurance policy covering inpatient and outpatient care, with costs ranging from €300 to €600 per year. You can use global digital comparators like HelloSafe to find student-compliant insurance options.
               

                  STEP 8

                  Working Rights and Social Integration

                  Adjusting to your new professional and social ecosystem.

                  - EU Students: You possess full, unrestricted labor rights. You can legally work full-time (40 hours per week) in any sector in Greece without requiring additional authorization.
                   

                  - Non-EU Students: Your student residence permit strictly limits your legal working hours to a maximum of 20 hours per week during active academic semesters. You are only allowed to work full-time during official university holiday breaks. To kickstart your social life and navigate local culture, connect with your local chapter of ESN Greece (Erasmus Student Network) to sign up for their integration events and request a local mentor via the Buddy System.