Greece is one of Europe’s most historically and culturally extraordinary study destinations — and in 2027-2028, it is offering more scholarship opportunities for international students than at any point in its modern academic history.
The birthplace of Western philosophy, democracy, mathematics, and the Olympic Games, Greece is home to some of Europe’s oldest academic traditions. The University of Athens (NKUA) — founded in 1837 as the first modern university in the Eastern Mediterranean — and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki — Greece’s largest university — lead a national academic ecosystem that is increasingly internationally oriented and scholarship-generous.
Beyond its ancient intellectual heritage, Greece offers international students extraordinarily affordable living costs (among the lowest of any EU country), tuition-free education at public universities for EU students, and a quality of life that combines Mediterranean climate, world-class cuisine, and 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites with genuine academic substance.
This guide covers Greece’s top 10 scholarships for 2027-2028 — every scholarship, complete coverage details, eligibility, and official application links.
Why Study in Greece in 2027?
Affordable tuition and living costs. Greek public universities charge minimal or zero tuition for many programs, particularly for EU students. International tuition, where charged, is significantly lower than Western European equivalents. Monthly student living costs in Athens range from approximately €600–€900 — among the lowest of any EU capital.
EU membership and Schengen access. Greece’s EU membership means your degree is recognized across 27 EU member states. The Schengen Zone means you can travel freely across most of Europe with your Greek residence permit.
Growing English-taught programs. Greek universities have substantially expanded English-taught programs — particularly at the postgraduate level — including at NKUA, Aristotle University, University of Patras, and others.
Mediterranean quality of life. Greece offers one of the world’s most extraordinary combinations of ancient history, Mediterranean climate, fresh cuisine, and genuine warmth — making it one of the most personally rewarding places to spend academic years.
Post-study pathways. As an EU country, Greece provides access to EU-wide post-study work mobility — graduates of Greek universities can seek employment across the EU/EEA without additional work permits.
The Top 10 Greece Scholarships 2027-2028
🏆 1. Greek Government Scholarships — IKY (State Scholarships Foundation)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Coverage: Full or partial tuition + Monthly stipend + Health insurance Eligibility: International students through bilateral agreements — all nationalities
The IKY (Idryma Kratikon Ypotrofion — State Scholarships Foundation) is Greece’s primary government scholarship organization — administering all Greek government scholarship programs for both Greek students studying abroad and international students coming to Greece.
What it covers:
- Full or partial tuition fee coverage at Greek public universities
- Monthly stipend toward living costs
- Health insurance contribution
- Available for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs
Two main tracks:
Bilateral Scholarships: Greece has bilateral education agreements with numerous countries — applications submitted through your home country’s Ministry of Education or Greek Embassy. These cover citizens of specific partner countries for study or research visits to Greece.
Excellence Scholarships: Merit-based awards for outstanding international students at Greek universities, evaluated through academic record and research proposal quality.
Why IKY matters: IKY is the gateway to all Greek government educational funding — even when individual awards are modest in absolute terms, they provide the formal framework for studying in Greece as a funded international student.
Deadline: Typically January–March — contact the Greek Embassy or IKY directly for your country’s specific program
👉 Official Website: iky.gr/en
🏆 2. Onassis Foundation Scholarships
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral Coverage: Full tuition + Generous monthly stipend + Health insurance + Research support Eligibility: International students of Greek descent and international scholars in Greek studies
The Onassis Foundation — established by the legendary Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis and one of the world’s most generously endowed private foundations — operates one of Greece’s most prestigious scholarship programs for both Greek-heritage students and international scholars engaged with Hellenic studies.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fee coverage at Greek or international host institutions
- Generous monthly stipend — amounts vary by program and level but are among Greece’s highest
- Health insurance for the scholarship duration
- Research support — access to Onassis Foundation’s extraordinary cultural and research resources in Athens
Key programs:
Onassis Scholars Program: For students of Greek heritage internationally pursuing postgraduate study.
Onassis Fellowships for Scholars: For international scholars (non-Greek) pursuing research in Hellenic studies, classical languages, Byzantine studies, modern Greek literature, or related disciplines.
Onassis Homogeneia Program: For Greeks in the diaspora pursuing study in Greece.
Why Onassis is prestigious: The Onassis Foundation’s cultural and intellectual network — spanning the Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens, the Onassis Stegi arts venue, and international academic partnerships — makes Onassis scholarship holders part of one of the Mediterranean’s most distinguished cultural networks.
Deadline: Typically October–December annually — check the Onassis Foundation’s scholarship portal
👉 Official Website: onassis.org/scholarships
3. Research Scholarships — Greek Research and Innovation Foundation (HFRI)
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: Full or partial tuition + Monthly research stipend + Research expenses Eligibility: Researchers at Greek universities in STEM, social sciences, and humanities
The HFRI (Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation) — Greece’s national research funding organization, established as part of Greece’s economic recovery and development strategy — provides research grants and fellowships for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers at Greek universities.
What it covers:
- Monthly research stipend for PhD and postdoctoral researchers
- Partial or full tuition support
- Research expenses — equipment, conference attendance, fieldwork
HFRI’s focus areas: STEM, environmental sciences, social sciences, and humanities. HFRI funding has grown substantially as part of Greece’s research infrastructure investment — providing increasing opportunities for international researchers.
How to access: Through research positions at Greek universities funded by HFRI grants. Contact potential supervisors at NKUA, Aristotle University, University of Patras, or other Greek research universities directly.
Deadline: HFRI calls are published on a rolling basis — check HFRI website for current open calls
👉 Official Website: hfri.gr/en
🏆 4. Onassis Foundation Fellowships — International Scholars Program
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Coverage: Full tuition + Living stipend + Health insurance + Research support Eligibility: International (non-Greek) scholars in Hellenic and Mediterranean studies
The Onassis International Scholars Program specifically designed for non-Greek international academics and researchers pursuing study or research related to Greece, Hellenism, Byzantine studies, classical antiquity, modern Greek culture, or Mediterranean history.
What it covers:
- Comprehensive scholarship package including tuition, stipend, and health insurance
- Access to the Onassis Foundation Library and research resources
- Integration into the Onassis Foundation’s intellectual community
Who applies: International academics — historians, classicists, philosophers, archaeologists, literary scholars, and social scientists — whose work engages with Greek and Mediterranean subjects.
Deadline: Check Onassis Foundation fellowships portal
👉 Official Website: onassis.org/scholarships/international
🏆 5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD) — Greece Consortium Partners
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: 100% tuition + €1,400/month living stipend + Airfare + Insurance Eligibility: EU-funded programs with Greek universities as consortium members
Several Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — funded by the European Commission — include Greek universities as consortium partners, making Greece a destination within some of Europe’s most prestigious and financially generous joint Master’s programs.
What it covers:
- 100% tuition fees across all consortium universities
- €1,400/month for non-EU students throughout the program (up to 24 months)
- Airfare and relocation grant
- Mandatory health insurance
Greek universities in EMJMD programs:
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) — philosophy, classics, social sciences, and Mediterranean studies programs
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki — environmental sciences, humanities, engineering programs
- University of Patras — engineering, computer science, materials science programs
- University of the Aegean — cultural heritage and Mediterranean studies
Deadline: Program-specific — typically October–February
👉 EMJMD Catalogue: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus
6. Erasmus+ Mobility Scholarships (Greece)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s (Semester/Year exchange) Coverage: Monthly Erasmus grant (€300–€800/month) + Full tuition waiver at host institution Eligibility: Students from EU and partner countries through Erasmus+ bilateral agreements
Erasmus+ — the European Commission’s flagship student mobility program — provides funding for students from partner country universities to study at Greek universities for one or two semesters, and for Greek students to study abroad.
What it covers:
- Monthly Erasmus grant: €300–€800/month depending on home country and destination country classification
- Zero tuition at the Greek host university for the exchange period
- Top-up grants available for students with special needs or from lower-income backgrounds
Greek universities with strong Erasmus+ incoming student programs:
- NKUA (Athens)
- Aristotle University Thessaloniki
- University of Patras
- University of Crete
- University of the Aegean
How to access: Apply through your home institution’s Erasmus+ office — your university must have a bilateral agreement with a Greek university to enable this exchange.
👉 Official Website: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
7. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) Scholarships
Degree Level: Master’s (English-taught programs) Coverage: Partial to full tuition waiver + Merit recognition Eligibility: Outstanding international students in English-taught postgraduate programs
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) — Greece’s oldest and most prestigious university, founded in 1837 — offers scholarship support for outstanding international students enrolled in its growing portfolio of English-taught postgraduate programs.
NKUA’s English-taught programs include:
- MSc in Computational Physics
- MSc in International and European Studies
- MSc in Environmental Biology
- LLM in International and European Law
- MA in Classical Philology
What it covers:
- Partial to full tuition waiver for scholarship recipients
- Merit-based recognition — selection based on academic excellence
NKUA’s unique position: Studying at NKUA means studying in one of the world’s most historically significant academic environments — in a city where Socrates walked, Plato taught, and the concepts that define Western thought were first articulated.
Deadline: Aligned with NKUA postgraduate program admissions — typically March–June for September intake
👉 Official Website: en.uoa.gr/studies/scholarships
8. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki International Scholarships
Degree Level: PhD, Research Coverage: Partial tuition support + Research fellowship access Eligibility: International PhD candidates — through research group funding
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) — Greece’s largest university with over 80,000 students and a particular strength in engineering, agriculture, sciences, law, and humanities — provides scholarship and fellowship support for international doctoral researchers through its research groups.
What it covers:
- Research fellowships funded through EU projects (Horizon Europe, national research grants)
- Partial tuition support for PhD students
- Access to AUTH’s research infrastructure
AUTH’s strengths: Engineering (electrical, civil, mechanical), agricultural sciences, theology, law, social sciences, and natural sciences. Thessaloniki — Greece’s second-largest city — offers significantly lower living costs than Athens while maintaining vibrant cultural and academic life.
How to access: Contact AUTH research group leaders directly in your target discipline — most doctoral funding flows through supervisor-managed research grants.
Deadline: Rolling — based on research group funding cycles
👉 Official Website: auth.gr/en/scholarships
9. Greek Foundation and Diaspora Scholarships
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Coverage: Varies by foundation — full or partial tuition + stipend Eligibility: Students of Greek descent or studying Greek-related subjects
Beyond the Onassis Foundation, Greece has a network of diaspora-funded scholarship programs supporting both Greek-heritage students and international scholars engaged with Hellenic culture and studies.
Key foundations:
Bodossaki Foundation: Supports Greek and international students in sciences, technology, and humanitarian fields. 👉 bodossaki.gr/en
Latsis Foundation: Provides research grants and scholarships for excellence in sciences and humanities. 👉 latsis-foundation.org/eng
A.G. Leventis Foundation: Supports study of Greek culture, language, and civilization for non-Greek scholars worldwide. 👉 leventisfoundation.org
Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF): One of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations, SNF provides grants for research, culture, and education in Greece and internationally. 👉 snf.org
🏆 10. Fulbright Greece Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Coverage: Full or partial tuition + Monthly stipend €1,000–€2,000 + Health insurance + Travel Eligibility: US citizens/permanent residents for study/research in Greece; Greek citizens for study in USA
The Fulbright Greece Scholarship — administered by the US-Greece Fulbright Foundation — is a bilateral scholarship supporting academic exchange between the United States and Greece, funding both American students going to Greece and Greek students going to the USA.
What it covers (for US applicants in Greece):
- Monthly stipend of approximately €1,000–€2,000 depending on program level
- Full or partial tuition support at Greek host institutions
- Health insurance for the grant period
- Travel grant — international airfare contribution
Who can apply:
- US citizens pursuing Master’s, PhD, or postdoctoral research at Greek universities (apply through IIE)
- Greek citizens pursuing equivalent programs at US universities (apply through the US-Greece Fulbright Foundation in Athens)
Priority research areas for Greece: Classical studies and archaeology, Byzantine studies, modern Greek history and culture, Mediterranean environmental sciences, and US-Greece bilateral policy research.
Deadline: US applicants: typically October annually
👉 Official Website: fulbright.gr/en
Quick Reference — All 10 Greece Scholarships
| # | Scholarship | Level | Key Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IKY Greek Government | All levels | Full/partial tuition + stipend | Jan–Mar |
| 2 | Onassis Foundation | Masters/PhD/Postdoc | Full tuition + stipend + insurance | Oct–Dec |
| 3 | HFRI Research | Masters/PhD | Stipend + research support | Rolling |
| 4 | Onassis International Scholars | Masters/PhD/Postdoc | Full package | Check portal |
| 5 | Erasmus Mundus EMJMD | Master’s | Full tuition + €1,400/mo | Oct–Feb |
| 6 | Erasmus+ Mobility | Exchange | €300–€800/mo + zero tuition | Via home institution |
| 7 | NKUA Athens | Master’s | Partial/full tuition | Mar–Jun |
| 8 | Aristotle University | PhD | Research fellowship | Rolling |
| 9 | Greek Foundation Scholarships | All levels | Varies by foundation | Varies |
| 10 | Fulbright Greece | Masters/PhD/Postdoc | Tuition + €1,000–€2,000/mo | October |
Health Insurance in Greece — What International Students Need
Every international student in Greece must have health insurance. Greece has both a public health system and private insurance options.
Greek Public Healthcare (EOPYY) for EU Students: EU/EEA students can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for basic public healthcare in Greece — covering emergency treatment and essential medical care at public hospitals.
For non-EU international students: Must purchase private health insurance or enroll in Greece’s public system through your university’s administrative processes.
Best options for international students:
National Health System (EOPYY) Voluntary Enrollment Non-EU students with a valid residence permit can apply to enroll in Greece’s public health insurance system. Annual contribution approximately €150–€300. 👉 eopyy.gov.gr/en
Interamerican Health Insurance Greece Greece’s largest private health insurer with comprehensive student plans. 👉 interamerican.gr/en
Allianz Greece Student Insurance Comprehensive student health coverage with English-language customer service. 👉 allianz.gr/en
IKY Scholarship recipients: Greek government scholarships typically include health insurance as part of the award package — confirm your specific coverage in your award documentation.
University health centers: All major Greek universities maintain student health centers providing basic medical care at zero or minimal cost for enrolled students. Register immediately after enrollment.
Banking in Greece — Complete Setup Guide
Wise — Best Pre-Arrival Option Euro (EUR) account openable from your home country before departure. Your scholarship stipend received from day one. Excellent exchange rates for international transfers. 👉 wise.com
Piraeus Bank — Greece’s Largest Bank Most widely used bank among international students in Athens and across Greece. Student accounts available with simplified documentation. 👉 piraeusbank.gr/en
Alpha Bank — Strong Digital Banking Good English-language online banking. Popular among students at NKUA and other Athens universities. 👉 alpha.gr/en
National Bank of Greece (NBG) — Best Branch Network Largest branch network across Greece — important for students at regional universities (Crete, Patras, Thessaloniki). 👉 nbg.gr/en
N26 — Best Digital European Bank Full Eurozone banking license with Greek IBAN. Open with passport. English interface. 👉 n26.com
AMKA (Social Security Number): Apply for your AMKA (Arithmos Mitroou Koinonikis Asfalisis) — Greece’s social security and health system number — at your local KEP (Citizens’ Service Center) within your first weeks. Required for health insurance enrollment, employment, and accessing social services.
Greece Student Visa — Financial Requirements
Non-EU students studying in Greece for more than 90 days need a Greek National Visa (Type D) for Studies.
Financial proof required:
- Approximately €300–€500/month demonstrated financial resources for the study period
- Scholarship award letters (IKY, Onassis, Fulbright) serve as comprehensive financial proof
- Bank statements from home country for self-funded students
Application: Through the Greek Embassy or Consulate in your home country
After arrival: Register at your local Aliens Bureau (Tmima Allodapon) within 30 days to obtain your residence permit — required for banking, health insurance, and long-term stay.
Greek Digital Nomad Visa note: Greece also offers a Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers — not applicable to standard students, but relevant for researchers who may have remote income sources.
5 Tips to Maximize Your Greece Scholarship Success
Contact IKY directly and ask about your country’s bilateral agreement. Greece has bilateral education agreements that many students from eligible countries are unaware of. A direct email to IKY confirming your country’s eligibility often reveals opportunities not widely publicized.
Onassis Foundation is Greece’s most prestigious private scholarship. If you have Greek heritage or your research engages with Hellenic studies, the Onassis Foundation represents Greece’s most financially generous and most prestigious scholarship opportunity. Apply annually — competition is intense but awards are transformative.
Erasmus Mundus with Greek consortium partners is Greece’s highest-value route. The €1,400/month EMJMD allowance significantly exceeds most Greek scholarship rates. Identify EMJMD programs listing Greek universities as partners and apply — this is worth the additional effort.
Fulbright Greece is underutilized by American researchers. The Fulbright Greece program is less competitive than equivalent US Fulbright programs (to Germany, Japan, etc.) because fewer American students consider Greece as a research destination. For classical studies, Byzantine history, archaeology, and Mediterranean sciences researchers, this represents an excellent opportunity with below-average competition.
HFRI research positions are your PhD access point. Contact Greek university professors working in your research area directly — most funded doctoral positions flow through HFRI-funded research projects managed by individual supervisors. A confirmed supervisor is your most direct route to funded doctoral study in Greece.
Final Thoughts — Greece Is Europe’s Most Historically Rich Study Destination
Greece in 2027 offers international students something genuinely unique: the opportunity to study at European universities in the land where Socrates questioned, Aristotle systematized, Euclid proved, and Archimedes calculated — at living costs dramatically lower than any Western European equivalent, with full EU degree recognition and Schengen zone access.
The IKY government scholarship’s structured bilateral pathways. The Onassis Foundation’s prestigious Hellenic cultural network. HFRI’s growing research funding. Erasmus Mundus’s €1,400/month at Greek consortium universities. Fulbright Greece’s underutilized US-Greece research bridge. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s global philanthropy grounded in Greek heritage.
IKY applications: January–March. Onassis Foundation: October–December. Fulbright Greece: October. Erasmus Mundus: October–February.
Your Greek academic journey — in the birthplace of Western thought — begins with one application.
👉 IKY State Scholarships: iky.gr/en 👉 Onassis Foundation: onassis.org/scholarships 👉 Fulbright Greece: fulbright.gr/en 👉 Study in Greece: study-in-greece.gr/en 👉 Erasmus Mundus: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus
