Scholarships in Greece 2026: A Guide for Expats & Golden Visa Families
Scholarships in Greece in 2026 offer international students, foreign residents, and expat families several ways to reduce the cost of studying, researching, or learning the Greek language. For families holding or considering a Greek residence permit, these opportunities can complement long-term education planning, but scholarship eligibility remains separate from immigration status.
A Greek Golden Visa can provide qualifying investors and eligible family members with residence rights in Greece, but it does not automatically provide a scholarship. Students must still meet the academic, nationality, financial, enrollment, or other requirements established by each scholarship provider.
Greek Scholarships for Expats in 2026
International students and expats can find scholarships through several channels, including the State Scholarships Foundation, Greek universities, research organizations, international academic programs, and individual foundations.
One of the main organizations to monitor is Greece's State Scholarships Foundation (IKY).
In July 2026, IKY announced a program offering up to 50 scholarships to foreign nationals and foreign nationals of Greek descent from countries worldwide for courses and seminars in Modern Greek Language and Culture.
Applicants interested in these programs should regularly review IKY scholarship opportunities for foreign nationals, as eligibility conditions and application periods depend on the individual call.
Other scholarship opportunities may support:
Undergraduate studies
Master's programs
Doctoral studies
Academic research
Greek-language education
International academic mobility
Specific fields of study
There is therefore no single scholarship application covering every expat or international student in Greece.
Does the Greece Golden Visa Make You Eligible for Scholarships?
Holding a greece golden visa and qualifying for an academic scholarship are two separate matters.
The Golden Visa is based on meeting the requirements of Greece's residence-by-investment framework. Scholarship providers, on the other hand, establish their own eligibility criteria.
Depending on the program, these may include:
Academic grades or merit
Country of citizenship
University admission
Current enrollment
Level of study
Family or personal income
Research experience
Area of study
Language proficiency
Age limits
Previous qualifications
A Golden Visa holder could therefore qualify for a scholarship if they satisfy the scholarship's rules, but residence status by itself should not be treated as a guarantee of financial assistance.
This distinction is particularly important for parents planning both immigration and university education for their children.
Where Can International Students Find Scholarships in Greece?
Students should use several sources rather than depending on one scholarship database.
The Greek government's IKY scholarship service on Gov.gr explains that scholarships for undergraduate studies, postgraduate studies, and research activities are made available periodically when funding opportunities open.
International students can also use the Study in Greece Scholarships platform, which brings together scholarships, grants, awards, and funding opportunities and allows students to search for active calls.
Students should additionally check the scholarship and financial-aid pages of the individual Greek university they intend to attend.
Scholarship availability can change between academic years, so an opportunity available in 2026 should not automatically be assumed to remain open for the following intake.
Scholarships for Learning Greek Language and Culture
Language scholarships can be particularly useful for foreign residents intending to establish deeper educational, professional, or cultural connections with Greece.
IKY has operated scholarship programs for foreign nationals studying Modern Greek Language and Culture for many years.
The programs can include Greek-language courses as well as cultural activities designed to introduce participants to Greek history and society.
However, eligibility can be quite specific. A scholarship designed for foreign nationals living outside Greece, for example, might not be available to an expat already permanently residing in the country.
Applicants should therefore read the complete call rather than relying only on the scholarship title.
Foreign-issued documents may also need authentication or certified translation depending on the scholarship's requirements.
Preparing academic records early can make applications considerably easier when a scholarship has a short submission period.
Can Children of Golden Visa Investors Study in Greece?
Education planning is one reason families may evaluate the broader greece golden visa program alongside their investment plans.
Planning Education in Greece as an Expat Family
For expats and Golden Visa families, scholarship research should be incorporated into education planning as early as possible.
Start with the intended school or university and work backwards from application deadlines. Determine admission requirements first, followed by tuition classification, available scholarships, document preparation, and accommodation.
Most importantly, avoid treating residency and scholarship eligibility as the same process. A residence permit determines immigration status, while the scholarship provider decides who qualifies for financial support.
Families that understand this distinction can evaluate Greek education opportunities much more realistically and avoid building their plans around funding that may not be available.
For families comparing Greece with other international residence and citizenship opportunities, Level Immigration provides guidance on residence and citizenship programs worldwide.