Ministry says 13 foreign universities seek to open branches

As part of what Greek Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki has hailed a “historic reform”, 13 foreign academic institutions – 11 British, one French and one Cypriot – submitted applications on Tuesday 1 April to establish branch campuses nationwide, reports Ekathimerini.

The applications, submitted by the 31 March deadline under Law 5094 of 2024 governing non-state higher education institutions, were unveiled on Tuesday by the Ministry of Education. Twelve institutions plan to launch operations in the October 2025 academic year, while one aims for October 2026.

Applications will now be forwarded to the National Authority for Higher Education and the National Organization for Certification of Qualifications and Professional Orientation for review of facility conditions and academic programmes. Zacharaki said a new chapter is being written in Greek higher education. “Greece is enacting a historic reform that offers new options for our students, attracts international scholars and transforms our nation into a knowledge hub for Southeastern Europe,” she said.
Full report on the Ekathimerini site