Student rents in Greece continue to climb, Athens sees sharpest increase
The cost of student accommodation in Greece has risen sharply over the past decade, with rents near the country’s six largest university campuses continuing to outpace inflation and wage growth, according to the 2025 Student Residences Observatory by Geoaxis Property and Valuation Services.
The report found that average student rents have increased by 7.3% compared to last year and by a staggering 110% over the past decade.
Athens recorded the steepest rise, with rents jumping 147% since 2016 — from €4.90 per square metre to €12.10 in 2025, including a 12.6% rise in the past year alone.
Other cities have seen similarly sharp increases.
In Thessaloniki, rents rose 108% over the decade and 5.8% in the last year to €10.10 per square metre.
Patras saw a 128% rise over ten years, now averaging €10.50 per square metre.
Iraklion rents increased 101% in a decade to €9.50, Volos rose 106% to €9.00, and Gümülcine (Komotini) climbed 70% to €8.50 per square metre.
One of the key factors driving the surge is a reduction in available student housing, with 15–25% of former student residences permanently converted to short-term tourist rentals. The report warns that as tourism demand grows, the shortage of affordable student housing is expected to worsen.
