Greece is a mountainous peninsula located on the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea, and the southernmost of the countries of the Balkan Peninsula, covering 130.800 km2.Â
The country is surrounded by sea from three sides; in the south by the Mediterranean Sea, by the Ionian Sea in the west, and the Aegean Sea in the east.
In the northern side borders with other Balkan countries; Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. It includes more than 2,000 islands, 170 are inhabited
The country’s capital is Athens which is located in the southern part of Greece. The population of about 11 million, with 4 million living in Athens.Â
Greece has thirteen official administrative divisions. They are:
Greece is a multicultural country of great and diverse interests. It has been influenced by the east and west civilizations. However, Ancient Greek culture lives on today and can be seen in much of the architecture that still exists.Â
Greeks are fond of philosophy, science, art, literature, and especially theater, and they are known for their generosity, integrity, honesty, and respect for the elderly.
Greece has a typical Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. The country is mostly sunny throughout the year.
on the contrary, the northern cities have a slightly continental climate, with quite cold, snowy winters that affected by cold air masses from Northern Europe or Russia
As a member of the European Union, the Euro has been the official currency of Greece since 2002. The coin denominations are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, €1, and €2.
Although most tourist shops, restaurants, and hotels accept credit cards, you should have some cash with you for small shops and remote areas.Â
Greece’s economy has returned to the ranks of moderately free for the first time in a decade, and it is mainly dependent on agriculture that forming 22% of the workforce.Â
27% in the industry sector and 50 % in the services. Tourism and shipping are the sectors that contribute the most to the economy of the country.
Greek is the official language of the country. However, a large part of the population who are working in tourism area speak English fluently and occasionally they also speak other European languages.
Greece is the birthplace of western civilization and one of the most marvelous lands on earth with impressive ancient sites.
Greece is the best destination for international students who decide to continue their higher education, due to the affordable costs of living and the low tuition fees of the educational institutions.Â
The study cost in Greek universities varies depending on the discipline and duration of the studies. In Greece there are 24 public universities are accredited by the Greek governmentÂ
The study costs at private higher education institutions are usually the same for both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students and it is higher than in public universities.
The tuition fees at private universities mainly depend on the length of the chosen program, type of degree, or the discipline and it can cost up to 10,000 EUR or more annually.
Head up: Students from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) are exempted from tuition fees for undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degrees at public Greek universities.
The cost of living in Greece is reasonable and acceptable for international students compared to other countries. Moreover, most of the students prefer to live in dormitories that are found in the largest Greek student cities, like Patra, Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, or Thessaloniki
The quality of life in Greece is still high and comfortable although the salaries are low compared to those in the rest of Europe, and The main reason behind that is the overall low costs of services.
On average, the living cost in Greece is about 1,000 euros per month, while the average rent price is about 400 euros per month for an apartment
Also, there are lower-priced places that are suitable for almost one student, which may start from 250 euros per month, and monthly bills reach about 60€.
Keep in mind that living in the center of the big cities is more expensive than small cities or towns. Â
Eating out is relatively cheaper in Greece and a typical breakfast meal will cost about €5 to €7 and dinner will cost about €9 to €15 in a not so expensive restaurant.
Soft drinks and coffee also basically cost around €2 to €3. So, most students will end up spending around 200 EUR per month on food and groceries
Prices of some food products in Greece:
The price of a transportation ticket is 1.30 € for 90 minutes for all types of transportation, and the monthly subscription in transportation is 30 € and for students 15 € per month.
while the cost of public transport services (buses, trams, trolleybuses, and metro) is 1 € per trip.Â
The Taxi is also available in Greece, the cost is 3.50 EUR for the starting fee and then 1 EUR per km.
For international students, you should have a health insurance policy that is valid for the duration of your study in Greece. Health insurance will cost between €200 and €600 per year.
Head up: If you are an EHIC card-holder, you will be able to access the same healthcare as Greek citizens for the same price, which is usually free.
Without a doubt, Greece is a very attractive destination for international students for many reasons, and finding affordable accommodation is easy.
So, one of the most important parts of your planning of study in Greece is choosing what type of accommodation you need. fortunately, in Greece, there are many types of housing while the prices are different from one region to another.
It is the most common accommodation option for students who are studying in Greece. it is located near the university campus, and it is equipped with all the services that the student needs during the years of study
 The cost of this type of housing ranges between 100 to 150 euros per month.
Most students prefer this type of accommodation because it makes it easier for them to learn the Greek language faster, and gives them the opportunity to integrate with the Greek society quickly.
The student can rent a room within the house, equipped with all the services he needs with a Greek family. The average cost of this type of housing ranges between 150 to 250 euros per month.
Students in this housing share the costs of the apartment and utilities. the cost of this type of housing ranges between 200 to 400 euros per month. depending on the location which plays a major role in determining the cost
This type of accommodation is very expensive, and its cost ranges from 150 to 300 euros per month.
This option is good for the foreign student in the first place, but of course is not a good option due to the high cost of the night, which ranges from 50 to 100 euros per month,
Rent a room in an apartment This option is much cheaper than renting a complete apartment, there are two types:Â
 The average rent of a room in an apartment in the center of a big city is around 250 – 300 EUR depending on the qualities of the property and its location. In smaller cities, the accommodation and cost of living are even cheaper.
Additionally, the utility costs range from €90 to €200 for services such as heating, water, and electricity.
University in Greece is one of the best universities in Europe what makes it a favorite destination for international students worldwide. Moreover, The educational system has a good reputation in Europe.
Greece has more than 24 universities and 16 technical universities, which makes it a suitable option for international students. It ranks highly among the best educational institutions, and the country is one of the cheapest countries in Europe for foreign students, especially in terms of fees and living costs.
choosing to study in Greece universities is a big leap in your life, especially if you have an opportunity to study in one of the ranked universities which have quality course programs, big and advanced faculty, and campus life that is worth remembering.
It is one of the top public universities in Athens and the oldest Greek university that was founded in 1837, with a student population of about 23,900 students.
NTUA is one of the prestigious engineering schools in Greece, consisting of 9 Schools, 40 Departments, and 194 Laboratories. The schools are:
One of the most important and largest universities in Greece, located in Thessaloniki. It was founded in 1925. The campus university covers 230,000 square meters in the center of Thessaloniki including 75,000 students.
The university consists of eleven Schools, consisting of 36 Departments:
The University of Crete is one of the top public universities in Greece and it is in the top 5% according to international ratings. It is a young university that was founded in 1973.Â
However, it is a member of the European University Association (EUA) and provides a dynamic academic institution committed to excellence in research and teaching including an advanced Infrastructure.
UOC is located in the Greek part of the island of Crete. It has five faculties that teach a range of disciplines, with a student population of 18,500 students.
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is considered to be one of the most prestigious universities of Greece, officially founded in 1837. It is a non-profit public higher education institution.
the number of its students is about 65,000 students and It has many facilities and disciplines:Â
It is a public higher education institution in Greece and one of the most important and best universities in Greece. It was founded in 2005.Â
IHU teaches its curricula in English which makes it the best option for international students and it provides scholarships to remarkable students.
It consists of 9 schools with numerous departments:
The foundation of this unique university occurred in 1992 in Patra. HOU promotes scientific research and studies annually. Also, it provides high-quality education via distance learning at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Â
It is a public higher education institution in Greece and one of the leading schools of business administration. a hundred international students are welcomed in HOU and treated like Greek citizens.Â
MBA HOU offers some courses online and students will obtain certificates in:
University of Ioannina is a non-profit public higher-education institution established in 1970 in Ioannina.Â
UOL includes 15 academic departments, numerous organized disciplines, programs, and seven schools:Â
The good quality of its students, effectiveness and scientific research, professional staff, high degree of collaboration between Greek and international universities make the educational system in Greece one of the best systems in Europe.Â
Due to its incredibly wide array of sites and universities and cities, Greece is the perfect option to study, it offers many disciplines and studies for international students:Â
Greece welcomes thousands of international students from other countries every year and offers them financial assistance in the form of scholarships and study grants.
Ambition students who pursue to apply for Greek scholarships must have a range of qualities and academic achievements which are ranging from high academic performance to scientific publications.Â
Tip pro: it is good to know that Greek scholarships are large enough but they will not cover all tuition fees and living costs.
The people of Greece have a warm welcoming nature for the international students that makes Greece as a perfect destination for them.Â
Greece is one of the Schengen countries; therefore the Students from countries outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) need to obtain a Schengen visaÂ
It is important to know all types of visas issued by the Greek embassy before you apply to obtain your visa.Â
This type of visa is issued to the students who choose short courses or programs. It allows them to stay in the country legally for no more than 90 days.Â
The holder of this visa can attend an educational institution, university, and school, as well as participate in conferences, symposia, and Olympiads.
Head up: the short-stay visa is not renewable under any circumstances and the student who needs to renew his residency must return to his home country and apply for a long–term visa.Â
students can submit an application for a long-stay visa in Greece allowing them to stay for a period exceeding 90 and up to 365 days.
International students have to pay a fee of 90 EUR for a long-term visa. The minimum processing time for a student visa application is 6 days. However, the visa can take up to three months.
Head up: The Greek Visa fee is non-refundable whether you decide to withdraw the application or your application is rejected by the Greece embassy.
Bear in mind that the student’s presence at the embassy is important in order to obtain a visa to study in Greece.
Studying in Greece is an experience like no other, given multi programs of higher education in affordable tuition fees, a wide variety of courses, and high standards of teaching.Â
After you receive the admission letter of the university or a program you choose to study in, you have now to be ready for the next step and prepare your documents for your Greece student visa.Â
Be aware of all visa requirements because it is so important in this process and based on the documents and the interview in the Greek embassy will make a decision whether you should be permitted to enter the country or not.
The major things that must be counted in your checklist have been stated below:Â
The student must fill up the application form with the correct information. To the students who are under 18 years, both parents or legal guardians must sign it.
Passport is essential and must be valid for 6 months at least beyond stay in Greece with two blank pages to stick on the Greece student visa. Â
You should prepare four new, colored with white background photos and the size must be 3×4.Â
When you receive the acceptance of the university you should attach the required papers. Also, you have to prove the payment of the university fees.
It is important for international students to prove a certificate in the Greek language if their studies require that.Â
there are two types of health insurance that depend on your type of visa:
you have to show evidence of a place to stay, such as a rental agreement, Hotel Booking, or university housing.Â
The embassy will require a clean criminal record for international students.
The student must show an income of at least 400 Euros per month to cover the costs of living and study in Greece. it must be shown by Bank account statement for the last three months, Cheques, or Salary slips.
it is required to show the student is free from any diseases and disabilities.Â
after you collect all the required documents visa, you can move to the next step:Â
you can make an appointment in Greece embassy via the website that is offered by the Greek government, at the same website, you complete the application form.  Â
Tip pro: international students who seek to apply at a Greek university have to submit the required and certified documents in a Greek translation. The application can be submitted electronically on the website of the Ministry of Education
Nothing is compared to coming and visiting this wonderful land and learning about one of the greatest civilizations that had ruled the world one day.Â
Greece is a unique country with warm and sunny weather, breathtaking landscape, gorgeous island, and rich history. Additionally, Greece has a higher education system that distinguishes Universities and Technological Educational Institutes.
Most of the educational institutions are non-profit public with some private colleges that have to cooperate with international institutions to award academic degrees.
The geopolitical position of Greece puts her in the center of attention for the ambitious students, it is the southern entrance gate of the European Union.
It has a lot of multinational startups in financial sectors, commerce, tourism, and offering services that recruit and give an opportunity to the graduates of high education level.Â
Therefore, By studying in Greece, you will not only have the infrastructure needed for a successful professional career but also you will require all the qualifications for further high studies.