The main characteristic of the education system in Greece is its multi-faceted nature, which is ordered by the numerous laws and decrees of the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. In fact, in Greece, the separation of Church and State has not been established and religions are managed in the same way as education. The adaptation of cutting-edge educational research and foreign educational practices to meet the needs of Greek society and the labor market has resulted in a multi-level education system that caters to all students in the country. Most students in Greece attend public schools at all levels, for which there are no tuition fees, while between 4 and 6.5% of the student population enroll in private schools. I’m Lisbob, the expats assistant, and I’m going to explain everything you need to know about how the Greek education system works.

Structure of the Greek education system

In Greece, schooling is compulsory for all children between the ages of 4 and 15. The education system is divided into kindergarten and childcare up to the age of 6; primary education for children aged 6 to 12; secondary education for teenagers aged 12 to 18; higher education for those who wish to study at university; and finally lifelong learning, which is for adult students of all ages.

Early education and childcare

There are daycare centers in Greece that provide pre-school education for children up to the age of 4. The final stage of pre-school education is provided in kindergartens, where young students attend preparatory classes from age 4 for two years before enrolling in primary/elementary schools.

Primary education

Greek elementary school is open to children from the age of 6 to 11. Some of these schools are referred to as ‘experimental’ or ‘model’ schools because they implement experimental educational practices and are supervised by university departments specializing in pedagogy and elementary education. Students with physical or mental disabilities or special needs also have access to specialized facilities.

In all three types of elementary schools, students learn basic skills in a number of subjects, such as reading and writing, environmental studies, math, and English.

Elementary school in Greece operates between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., while the majority of them offer additional classes such as physical education, sports, art and music until 4:00 p.m.

Secondary Education

Greek secondary education is the equivalent of middle school and is open to children aged 12 to 14. Most students attend the middle school to which they are assigned, which is usually located in their neighborhood. However, there are other alternatives, such as being admitted to an ‘experimental’ high school (through a lottery system), or attending a ‘model’ high school, after passing a national entrance exam.

Students with a special interest in the visual and creative arts such as drama, dance, painting or music may attend a school specializing in these areas. There are also high schools that cater to students from multicultural backgrounds, as well as students with special needs.

In Greece most schools operate from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., but there are also evening schools that operate from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for students – mainly adults – who work during the day. A variety of subjects are taught in these middle schools, including modern and ancient Greek language, mathematics, physics, chemistry, geography, history, physical education, religious studies, music and art, while special emphasis is placed on foreign language learning, where students learn both English and another European language of their choice (students tend to choose between French and German). In Greece, the exam to move up to the next grade must be taken every year.

At the end of secondary school and at the age of 15, schooling is no longer compulsory but the majority of students continue their studies.

Students may then choose to attend a general high school, an ‘experimental’ general high school or a ‘model’ general high school, or any high school specializing in music or the arts. Students from foreign countries can enroll in a multicultural high school, while there are special vocational education and training institutes for students with special needs. Students can also attend vocational high schools or, once they turn 16, they can enroll in an evening vocational high school and graduate after 4 years of study.

In addition, there are vocational schools; in these schools, like in all vocational high schools, students take general education courses combined with on-the-job courses, the equivalent of a dual degree. In the final stage of his or her studies, a student can work as an apprentice.

Students wishing to pursue higher education take Panhellenic examinations, which are considered difficult and highly competitive.

Higher education

Greek higher education takes place in universities. The majority of students pursue a four-year degree, while those who attend university technical departments or the School of Fine Arts graduate after five years of study.

Most university departments in Greece offer one or two-year postgraduate courses, as well as the possibility of pursuing a PhD. Students can also enroll in the Hellenic Open University for graduate or postgraduate studies, where they pay tuition and are admitted through an annual lottery system.

Lifelong learning

Lifelong learning centers are the main providers of lifelong learning in Greece, and they are usually supervised by municipal departments. These centers offer a variety of courses, aimed at learning knowledge and acquiring new skills. There are also adult education schools called ‘second chance’ schools, which cater to students who have dropped out of school at some point in their lives, but wish to continue their education later.

Here is a summary of the Greek education system:

Kindergarten/Early Childhood

0-3 YEARS OLD

Vrefonypiakos Stathmos Daycare Center

4-6 YEARS OLD - Mandatory

Nypiagogio Nursery School
Piramatiko Nipiagogio Experimental Kindergarten

Primary education

6-12 YEARS OLD - Mandatory

Dimotiko Scholio Elementary School
Piramatiko Dimotiko Scholio Experimental Primary School

Special Education

Dimotiko Scholio Model Elementary School
Ediko Dimotiko Scholio Elementary School for Students With Special Needs

Secondary Education

12-15 YEARS OLD - Mandatory

Gymnasio Middle School
Piramatiko Gymnasio Experimental School
Protipo Gymnasio Model School
Mousiko Gymnasio Music School
Kallitechniko Gymnasio Art School
Gymnasio Diapolitismikis Ekpedefsis Multicultural School

Special Education

Ediko Gymnasio High School for Students With Special Needs

15-18 YEARS OLD

Geniko Lykio General High School
Esperino Geniko Lykio General Evening High School
Piramatiko Geniko Lykio Experimental High School
Geniko Lykio Protype Model High School
Mousiko Lykio Musical High School
Kallitechniko Lykio Art High School
Gymnasio Diapolitismikis Ekpedefsis Multicultural High School

Special education

Ergastiria Epagelmatikis Ekpedefsis & Katartisis Institutes of Special Vocational Education and Training

Vocational education

Epagelmatiko Lykio Vocational High School
Esperino Epagelmatiko Lykio Evening Vocational High School
Protipo Epagelmatiko Lykio Model Vocational High School
Scholi Epagelmatikis Katartisis Vocational Training Schools

Higher education

AGE 18 AND UP

Panepistimio University
Technologiko Ekpedeftiko Idrima Institute of Technological Education
Anotati Scholi Technologikis & Pedagogikis Ekpedefsis School of Pedagogical and Technological Education
Scholi Kalon Technon School of Fine Arts
Elliniko Anichto Panepistimio Hellenic Open University

Lifelong learning