Study Medicine in Greece

Greece has been a member of the European Union since 1981 — longer than Spain, Portugal, or Bulgaria. A medical degree from a state-recognized Greek university is automatically recognized within the EU. For international applicants, the path in Greece leads to Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki: Aristotle University

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki teaches human medicine in English. Tuition fees are 6,000 EUR per semester, or 12,000 EUR per academic year. Aristotle University is the largest university in Greece; its campus sits in the heart of Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki as a Place to Study

Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece, located on the Thermaic Gulf, and has an unusually high proportion of students. Cafés, bookshops, affordable tavernas, and an active nightlife are all part of it. Distances are short, the sea is nearby, and the cost of living is lower than in many Western European cities. The airport is just outside the city.

What Can Speak Against Greece

Three points deserve honest consideration. First, there is only one location in Greece for an English-language medical program; if you do not get a place in Thessaloniki, you change countries, not cities. Second, patients in Greek clinics speak Greek. English is sufficient for lectures and exams, but not for a meaningful patient history in the clinical phase. Third, Greek administration requires patience.

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki charges 6,000 EUR per semester, or 12,000 EUR per academic year. Over six years of human medicine, that adds up to around 72,000 EUR in tuition fees. There is no variation between universities in Greece, because Thessaloniki is the only study location for this program.

Compared with other EU countries, Greece sits in the middle range. Bulgaria and Romania are cheaper; Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus are considerably more expensive.

For living expenses, Greece is one of the more affordable countries in the EU. In Thessaloniki, a realistic budget is 500 to 800 EUR per month. A rough estimate for one academic year: 12,000 EUR in tuition fees plus around 8,000 EUR for twelve months of living expenses, approximately 20,000 EUR in total.

Greece does not apply a Numerus Clausus (NC) for international applicants. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki selects students through its own process involving an application with school records, an assessment of scientific foundations in biology, chemistry, and physics, and proof of English proficiency. Knowledge of Greek is not required for admission.

The academic year begins in autumn. The number of places per cohort is limited, and since Greece has only Thessaloniki for this program, early applications are at a clear advantage.

Deadlines, required documents, and certification requirements change from year to year. Medschool Experts goes through the specific process with you, assesses your academic record, plans the timeline, and offers a free initial consultation.

The program at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki follows the classic European structure, with a preclinical phase covering anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, followed by a clinical phase at the city's hospitals. In the clinical phase, work is conducted in Greek, and patient conversations take place in Greek. Those who begin learning Greek in the first and second year will be in a significantly stronger position on the ward.

Most students live in shared apartments near the campus. Thessaloniki is easy to navigate on foot and by bus. Rents are below the level of many European university cities. There is a small community of international students, and Greek fellow students are the fastest route into the language.