International Student Support

Study in Greece and Become a Graduate of the World!

Before Your Arrival

  • Non – EU nationals need a visa and temporary residence permit to study in Greece.
  • The application process is typically through the Greek embassy or consulate in your home country.

Students should pay their tuition fees, before leaving their country to ensure their place in the programme.

  • Shared Apartments: 350-450 EUR per month / person.
  • Independent Living: 550-700 EUR per month / person.

  • Food: Around 300 EUR per month.
  • Transportation card: 27 EUR per month.
  • Study Materials: Provided through IST College’s online platform.

  • Meal at a restaurant: 15 EUR Coffee: 2 EUR / Beer: 4 EUR
  • Cinema Ticket: 9 EUR
  • Private Health Insurance: 100-150 EUR per year.

Expected average cost of living range from 800 to 1,000 EUR per month, depending on lifestyle and accommodation choices.

First steps

It is important for you to find temporary accommodation for the days after arrival, as flat hunting in Athens is a challenge for everyone and especially for international students.

The search may take a while, depending on the area, flat size and available budget. IST College international relations department may assist you in finding accommodation upon request.

Renting prices vary depending on where you’re planning to live in. Locations close to the universities and metro stations usually have higher prices in comparison to those further away.
The apartments in Athens are rented out with an average of €10 a square metre. A one-bedroom student furnished apartment (accommodates up to 2 students) costs around €550-600. A two-bedroom student furnished apartment (accommodates up to 4 students) costs around €850-900. The utilities (electricity, water, gas, telephone) are usually not included in the rent. In addition, when renting an apartment in Greece, you need to pay a deposit that is equal to one or two months’ rent. The security deposit serves as the purpose to make sure the tenant returns the property to the owner in the same condition it was received when rented and it is returned when the renting period is over.

To obtain a TIN number (AFM), you will need the following documents:Photocopy of a valid passport or travel document recognized by our country.
The evidence proving that you reside legally in the country, which means your Visa and the entry stamp applied to your passport upon arrival in Greece or a valid residence permit.
If you are a minor of foreign nationality, the birth certificate must be officially translated.
Marriage/civil partnership certificate if applicable.
In order to obtain your TIN number (AFM) follow the next steps:
1. Submit an application on the digital portal myAADE under “TIN number (AFM) & Key Code (Act for myself)” without filling in the details of a residence permit and the personal details of a tax representative.
2. After submitting the application, you will receive an application number (Αρ. Αίτησης). Keep this number, as you will need it to schedule an online appointment with an AADE employee to obtain your TIN number and Key Code.
3. After the AADE employee confirms your application details and passport, your TIN number (AFM) and Key Code will be issued. The data (TIN number, passwords, and Key Code) will be sent to your email address in an encrypted file as specified in the application.

Greece uses the same GSM system as most EU countries.
You go to any Mobile service provider store with your passport and ask for a SIM Card for your cellular phone, as well as a confirmation that this number belongs to you. The cost starts from 10 euros.

To open a bank account in Greece you need to make an appointment at a bank branch and submit the following documents:

  1. Identity Certification
  2. Certification of Income and Tax Identification Number (TIN)
  3. Confirmation of Address of Main Residence
  4. Confirmation of Occupation
  5. Confirmation of Contact Phone Number (Landline/Mobile)
  6. Confirmation of Tax Residence

This Social Security Number (AMKA) is unique and provides access to health and labor services. In order to obtain the AMKA you need:

  • Copy of a valid passport
  • Residence permit for studies with the right of access to part-time work (for students from third countries)
  • Copy of the employment contract
  • Certificate of family status translated in Greek by certified translator (names also written in latin characters).
  • Certificate of registration for citizens of the Union residing in Greece as students (for EU-students)

The Unified Social Security Fund (EFKA) has been designated as the competent authority for the processing of the AMKA directly to EFKA of the student’s area of residence.

Study Permit

This section provides you with useful information concerning your settlement in Greece as an international student.

International students from all other countries than those stated above, who have acquired a student visa by the Greek Consular Authorities of their country of origin, are required to apply for a residence permit for studies within 90 days of their arrival in Greece.

The supporting documents I will need when I apply for a residence permit for studies:
1. Photocopy of valid passport or travel document recognized by our country.
2. Valid student visa type D.
3. Administrative fee of 150 euros (issued online from e-paravolo- by choosing for Public Authority: Ministry of Migration Policy-Deposit Fee for Residence Permit and under code 2107). Not required if you are a scholarship holder.
4.Health insurance certificate. Not required if covered by the Scholarship.
If you have an insurance policy from your country of origin, you can submit it officially translated as long as it provides the required coverages.
It is possible to search the gov.gr services for certified translators who are included in the Registry of Certified Translators of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the link: https://metafraseis.services.gov.gr/
5. Certificate of enrolment and receipt of fee payment or letter of approval from the university (if applicable).
6. Proof of financial means. Evidence proves that you have sufficient resources (including the scholarship), i.e. 650 euros per month as a minimum & a statement that this amount will be renewed. The proof of financial means could be a deposit account, a bank transfer, proof of scholarship or proof of salary in case you work part-time (when renewing your residence permit).
7. Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18.
8. Certification of the relevant educational institution for the total study time of the specific program.
9. Proof of scholarship if this is the case (a certificate from the competent institution for granting the scholarship, as well as for the duration of the program and the scholarship granted).
10. Solemn declaration asking to be granted a residence permit for studies, equal to the maximum duration of the program of studies you have enrolled in.
Records with are mandatory for the submission of the online application. In order to obtain the residence permit for studies, a personal interview may be required at the Immigration Office of the area of residence as well as the submission of biometric data and the presentation of additional supporting documents.
Documents required for issuing the card during the biometrics appointment:
(a) One (1) passport-size picture as well as in digital format, as a .jpg file stored on optical storage disc (CD) or USB stick.
(b) Administrative fee of 16 euros (issued online from e-paravolo – under code 2119).
(c) An official public document of the country of birth or origin officially certified and translated clearly showing the place of birth. In the translation, the place of birth should ALSO be written in Latin characters. (Provided only in case the city of birth is not printed in the passport in Latin characters).

Duration of permit

The student residence permit is in most cases valid for one year. If the duration of the study program is less than one year, then the residence permit will be valid for the duration of your study program.
To renew your student residence permit, you are required to submit an application, at least two months before its expiration, to the competent department of the Directorate of Decentralized Administration of your place of residence.