University students set up tents in Syntagma Square in central Athens on Wednesday, staging an overnight protest against rising housing costs and the shortage of student accommodation, despite heavy rainfall affecting the Greek capital.
Members of dozens of student associations participated in the demonstration, calling for measures to address the increasing cost of attending university away from home.
Protesters said monthly rents for small studio apartments have reached €600 ($700), placing considerable financial pressure on students and their families. They also cited rising food, transportation and energy costs, along with insufficient university housing.
The demonstration included a planned march to the Finance Ministry at 6 p.m., where student representatives submitted their demands, followed by an overnight gathering and a concert.
Students Cite Housing Shortages and Rising Expenses
Nina Nifakou, president of the student association representing the School of Administrative, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of West Attica, told Orange Press Agency that housing costs had become increasingly difficult for students to manage.
“The situation has gotten out of control, the cost of studying has gotten out of control, and the housing situation has reached a breaking point,” Nifakou said.
She explained that students had brought tents to Syntagma Square after attending classes to draw attention to their financial difficulties.
According to Nifakou, existing student residences cover less than 4% of accommodation needs, while the University of West Attica, one of Greece’s largest universities, has no student dormitory.
“We are being forced to pay rents of €600 for a studio apartment,” she said.
Nifakou also pointed to the additional financial burden of groceries, fuel, electricity, meals and educational materials, which students frequently have to purchase themselves.
She claimed that hundreds of students were unable to enroll in their first year of university because of financial difficulties, while others struggled to continue their studies.
“For a student today, studying has become a matter of survival,” she said.
Further Demonstrations Planned
Student associations said the overnight protest would continue despite adverse weather conditions and called on more students to join the gathering.
Organizers also announced a concert featuring Greek performers Rita Antonopoulou, Dimitris Mitsotakis, Alexandros Ktistakis, Cilia Katrali and Fundracar.
Nifakou criticized government spending priorities, arguing that additional public funding should be directed toward student housing and education.
She said students would continue their campaign through university assemblies and street demonstrations.
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