For many families, securing accommodation for newly admitted university students has become a significant financial challenge. The apartment that will house the student for at least the next four years increasingly demands a substantial economic commitment. According to data released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) for May 2025, rental prices for residential properties have increased by 10.4% compared to 2024.
Affordable housing—defined as properties with a monthly rent between €300 and €350—has become virtually nonexistent, particularly in student-dense areas of Athens. For at least the past five years, such listings have been extremely rare.
Central Athens: Affordable Housing Scarce
In central Athens, apartments larger than a first-floor unit and up to 50 square meters with rents at or below €300 represent just 1.04% of the total available listings in that category. This figure has been steadily declining—0.8% in 2024, 2.89% in 2023, and 12.47% in 2022.
Similar trends are observed in the western suburbs, where only 3.1% of such apartments are available this year at €300 or less. In the southern and northern suburbs, as well as in the port city of Piraeus, there is no availability of student housing within this price range. It is important to highlight that these figures refer to properties up to 50 sq.m.—and often much smaller, with many units measuring just 30–35 sq.m.
Rents Surging Across All Major Areas
Central Athens
Students seeking accommodation in the heart of Athens will face steep rental prices. In 2025, 92.49% of apartments up to 50 sq.m. are listed above €400 per month—a notable increase from 86.66% in 2024. Furthermore, 70% of listings exceed €500, and nearly half go beyond €601. Listings under €300 are predominantly small (under 30 sq.m.), unrenovated units in less desirable areas of the city center.
Western Suburbs of Athens
Approximately 80% of apartments in the western suburbs are priced above €400 per month, with half of these exceeding €500. This marks a sharp increase from 2023, when 60% of listings were above €400 and only 30% exceeded €500. Renovations—either partial or complete—are common in these higher-priced units.
Southern Suburbs of Athens
In the southern suburbs, including areas like Kallithea and Zografou, the situation is even more challenging. No student apartments are available below €300/month. Only 10% are priced between €451 and €500, while a staggering 72.66% are listed above €501. Seven out of ten apartments exceed €500, and three out of ten are priced above €601.
Northern Suburbs of Athens
In the north, affordability is equally constrained. Nine out of ten listings are priced over €500, and more than half of these exceed €701 per month. Students searching in these areas must be prepared for high costs and limited supply.
Piraeus
The housing market in Piraeus follows the same trend. No apartments are available under €300. Only 10% fall between €401 and €450, while 66% of listings are priced above €501—up significantly from just 12% in 2022. Of these, four out of ten are listed for over €601.
Thessaloniki
In Thessaloniki, 70% of apartments up to 50 sq.m. in the city center are priced above €400 per month, up from 60% in 2024. A third of these exceed €501. Affordable options—up to €300/month—are mostly limited to smaller units (25–30 sq.m.), often recently renovated and located in well-frequented student neighborhoods. Larger or newer apartments can still be found in specific areas such as Vardaris.
