The provision of free of charge education for all citizens and at all levels of the public education system is a constitutional principle of the Greek State.

The Greek educational system is centralised. National laws, presidential decrees and ministerial acts lay out the overall educational strategy and key objectives of the education system. 

The central administrative body for the education system across all fields, agencies and levels is the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports.

The Ministry is the competent body for making the key decisions related to long-term objectives. It also regulates various issues, such as curricula content, staff recruitment and funding.

The Institute of Educational Policy (IEP) is a key scientific body that supports the Ministry of Education along with other significant bodies such as  the State Scholarship Foundation (IKY) and the National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications & Vocational Guidance

At regional level, the regional education directorates of primary and secondary education oversee the implementation of the national educational policy.

At local level, the directorates of primary and secondary education supervise all schools in their area.  In their turn, school units make sure they run smoothly.

As regards the teaching profession a high level of qualification for all levels of education, is considered essential for teachers who are graduates of higher education, and a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement. 

The main pathway for teaching in primary schools is tthrough obtaining a 4-year degree from a pedagogical department. In secondary schools, most teachers follow a 4 or 5-year subject-based degree from a teacher education faculty.

Early childhood education and care (ECEC)

In Greece there is no legal entitlement before the age of four. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings provide for ages from 2 months old up to 4 years, attendance is optional. ECEC settings include: infant centres (vrefikoi stathmoi), infant/child centres (vrefonipiakoi stathmoi) and child centres (paidikoi stathmoi) Centre-based education and care falls under the municipal authorities, the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family and the Ministry of Interior. 

The stages of the formal Greek education are mainly 5:

As mentioned above, pre-school education in Greece coincides with the start of compulsory education. Therefore, attendance in kindergartens is compulsory and lasts  for two years from age 4 to age 5.

Primary education is provided in dimotiko scholeio, which in Greece lasts for 6 years. It concerns children in the age range of 6-12 years. Primary schools are unified types of schools. Depending on the number of pupils, in remote islands, different levels can operate in the same classroom under one  teacher.

For all pre-schools and primary schools there is provision for an optional all-day program with extra-curricula activities lasting up to 5:p.m. Other types of  primary education schools are: Experimental primary schools, Intercultural Education primary schools and Special Education primary schools.

Secondary education includes two cycles of study: Lower secondary education (Gymnasio) and Upper secondary education (Lykeio)

The first cycle is compulsory and corresponds to lower secondary schools (gymnasia).

Lower secondary education lasts for 3 years and provide general education, covering age range from 12 to 15.

Attendance in lower secondary education is a prerequisite for enrolling at general or vocational upper secondary schools.

Other types of lower secondary schools are: Music, Art and Special education schools as well as Model schools. The admission of students in a Model Lower Secondary School is through special examinations held every school year.

• Vocational Training Schools (ESK) or

• Vocational Apprenticeship Schools (EPAS) of the Public Employment Service (DYPA), an agency of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, which is involved in the design and implementation of employment policies and the fight against unemployment (l. 4921/2022).

The second cycle of secondary education consists of the optional geniko or epangelmatiko lykeio (general or vocational upper secondary school - GEL/EPAL).

Upper secondary education lasts for 3 years. Pupils enroll in grade 1 of upper secondary education at the age of 15. 

There are two different types of upper secondary education: 

1. The General upper secondary school (geniko lykeio - GEL). It lasts for 3 years and includes General Education courses and three Orientation Course Groups.

   1. The vocational lykeio. (Epangelmatiko lykeio). Secondary Vocational Education is provided in:

• Vocational lyceums (EPAL), day or evening

• Model vocational upper secondary Schools (PEPAL)

• Laboratory Centers (EK) - Vocational Training Centres

• Unified Special Vocational Secondary Schools -Lyceums (Gymnasio - Lykeio)

Secondary vocational education has two cycles of studies, belonging to the formal education system:

(a) The Secondary Cycle of studies, which includes the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades.

(b) The Post-secondary year - Apprenticeship Class (Practical Training) provides initial vocational training to graduates from upper secondary vocational schools, or holders of equivalent certificates or degrees, who have a basic level of knowledge, skills and competences. The Post-secondary year - Apprenticeship Class lasts 11 months and provides a Level 5 Specialty Diploma according to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Students with disabilities and special educational needs receive SET, which aims to develop their personality and enable them to participate as independently as possible in family, professional, social, and cultural life.

• Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK)

• Post-secondary year - Apprenticeship Class

SAEK provide initial vocational training to graduates from upper secondary schools, i.e. general upper secondary schools (GEL), vocational upper secondary schools (EPAL), as well as holders of equivalent certificates/degrees. Vocational training lasts 4-5 semesters. For EPAL graduates and holders of equivalent vocational certificates or degrees, vocational training may last 2-3 semesters. SAEK can be Experimental SAEK, Thematic SAEK under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education or public SAEK in correctional facilities.

The SAEK programmes are sector oriented: a) The Vocational Training Sector and 

b) The Vocational Development and Counselling Sector.

Other types of schools in secondary education, apart from special education schools, minority schools and experimental schools, as described above in primary education, are Arts and Music schools, Model schools and Ecclesiastical schools.  Also, Second chance schools (SDE) are public schools for adults, operating in the framework of the lifelong learning strategy. The target is learners aged 18 years or older, who have not completed the eleven years of compulsory education and hold the primary school leaving certificate.

Higher education is the last level of the formal education system. Most undergraduate degree programs take 4 academic years of full-time study, whereas polytechnics and Medical school programmes require 5 to 6 years.

Postgraduate courses last from one to two years, while doctorates at least 3 years.

The structure of HE comprises:

• Universities (AEI)

• Technical Universities (Polytechnics and applied sciences)

• The Athens School of Fine Arts (ASKT).

Additionally, l. 5094/2024 on the empowerment of public HEIs foresees the operation of foreign non-profit branches of foreign universities.

Lifelong learning policy in Greece is part of a wider development plan for a National System for Education and Training, introduced with l. 4763/2020  and later strengthened with l. 5082/2024).  LLL structures providing for formal and non-formal education that can lead to certifications recognised at national level, developed along the lines of levels 3, 4 and 5 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).  

The General Secretariat for Vocational Education, Training and Lifelong Learning plans the public policy of LLL. Non-formal education can lead to certifications recognised at national level. 

Lifelong learning and continuous vocational training is offered, by providers such as:

1. Scholeia defteris efkairias (Second Chance Schools - SDE)

2. Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK)

3. Vocational Training Schools (ESK) and Vocational  Apprenticeship Schools (EPAS) of the Public Employment Service (DYPA)

4. Public Centers for Lifelong Learning (Dimosia  kentra dia viou mathisis)- KDVM)

5. Training and Lifelong Learning Centers of Higher Education Institutions (AEI)

6. Hellenic Open University

7. Kollegia (Colleges)

8. National Center for Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA) (non-formal learning for the human resources of the public and extensive public sector).

Public Centres for Lifelong learning (KDVM) and colleges are part of the non-formal education system

Useful links

The Eurydice Description of National Education Systems provides comprehensive and comparable information.  The following websites may also be of assistance:

• Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports
• Institute of Educational Policy
• τhe Panhellenic School Network(PSD)
• the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation (INEDIVIM)
• the National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance
• the Hellenic Statistical Authority under the section “Population and Social Conditions”
• OECD’s Educational Policy Outlook Profile for Greece

Structure of the national education system

Please refer to the Eurydice Data and Visuals for a display of the Structure of the National Education System

Common european reference tools provided by the Eurydice network

• National Student Fee and Support Systems
• The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education
• The Organisation of School Time in Europe (primary and general secondary education)
• Recommended Annual Instruction Time in Full-Time Compulsory Education in Europe (presented by grades/stages for full time compulsory education as well as by subject and country)
• Teachers and School Heads Salaries and Allowances in Europe (salaries and allowances of teachers and school heads at pre-primary, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education levels).