Study Abroad Programs in Greece

Study abroad in Greece usually means spending a semester, a summer or a few weeks at a Greek university or college while you stay enrolled at your home university. Credits earned in Greece are then transferred to your degree. According to Study in Greece, the official national portal, Greek universities offer more than 200 international study programmes and also run short-term courses such as summer and winter schools and study abroad programmes.

There are two main routes: an exchange between your home university and a Greek public university, for example through Erasmus+, or a programme designed for visiting students at a private, often American-style, college. Most short programmes are taught in English and combine classes with field trips and cultural activities.

How study abroad in Greece works

• University exchange: a semester or a year at a partner university; within Erasmus+, a long stay lasts from 2 to 12 months
• Semester programmes for visiting students: a fixed set of courses with credits transferable to your home university
• Summer and winter schools: short courses run by Greek universities, often worth a few ECTS credits; in 2026, for example, the University of the Aegean ran a five-day summer school on Samos worth 3 ECTS credits with no fee, and an 11-day course on Rhodes worth 3 ECTS credits for 500 EUR
• Faculty-led and custom programmes: a group from one university travels with its own professors

The study abroad programme listed on this page is run by Perrotis College, part of the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city. The college states that it is accredited by NECHE, a US accreditor, so US students can transfer the credits to American universities. All instruction is in English. Visiting students choose from fields such as sustainable agriculture, food science and technology, international business, digital marketing management and environmental science.

• Fall and spring terms: 12 weeks each (late September to around 20 December, and late January to around 20 April), with 4 courses for 12 credits, up to 15 for an extra fee
• Summer term: 6 weeks, from early June to mid-July, with intensive courses, supervised research or a work internship on the college's educational farm
• Every student takes the Greek Cultural Experience course (3 credits)

Admission and visas

For an Erasmus+ exchange or a partner agreement, you apply through your home university, which nominates you and handles the grant agreement. Visiting-student programmes at private colleges take applications directly: Perrotis College accepts undergraduates from accredited universities, asks for an online application form and a résumé, and requires a minimum GPA of 2.5. Talk to your home university's study abroad office first, so that the courses are approved for credit before you leave.

EU citizens do not need a visa to study in Greece. Under Greek rules, third-country nationals who do not need a visa may stay up to three months within a six-month period; for longer stays, non-EU students need a national visa. Perrotis College states that all its programmes are under the 89-day limit, so its study abroad students do not need a visa. Check your own case with the Greek embassy or consulate, as visa rules depend on your nationality.

Costs and funding

Costs vary by route. Erasmus+ students are exempt from tuition, registration and examination fees at the host university and can receive a grant through their home institution. Private study abroad programmes charge a package fee: at Perrotis College it typically includes tuition, full room and board, orientation, cultural excursions and some local transport, but not airfare; the college does not currently offer reduced prices. Ask the college for the current fee. If you find your own housing, Study in Greece puts apartment rents at 250 to 600 EUR per month. International health insurance is required.

How to choose a programme

• Credits: check with your home university that the courses and credits will be recognised
• Length: a summer school of a few days or weeks, a 12-week semester or a full academic year
• Subject: Greek universities teach archaeology, history and classics in English, and programmes also cover agriculture, business and environmental science
• Housing and support: campus residence, orientation and airport pick-up make a short stay easier
• Visa: stays of more than three months usually need a national visa for non-EU students

Frequently asked questions

Can I study abroad in Greece in English?

Yes. Greek universities offer more than 200 international programmes, and study abroad programmes such as the one at Perrotis College teach all courses in English.

Do I need a visa for a semester in Greece?

EU citizens do not. Non-EU citizens who can enter Greece without a visa may stay up to three months within six months; longer stays need a national visa from the Greek consulate.

How long is a study abroad programme in Greece?

From a few days for a summer school to a full academic year. At Perrotis College, fall and spring terms last 12 weeks and the summer term 6 weeks.