Do you feel eager to pursue a nursing career in Greece? Greece continues to show demand for nurses: the OECD/European Commission Country Health Profile reported that Greece had 3.8 nurses per 1,000 people in 2023, far below the EU average of 8.5. A nursing degree can therefore be a useful path, although employment depends on licensing, Greek-language ability, and each employer’s requirements.
Foreigners who do not already hold a recognized nursing qualification generally need to complete a first-cycle nursing degree before they can practice as nurses. In Greece, undergraduate nursing programs are normally four years/eight semesters and lead to 240 ECTS credits. Foreign applicants do not generally sit the Greek national high school entrance examination; the Ministry of Education places eligible foreign applicants through a separate process based mainly on their secondary school credentials. Successful candidates must also meet the Greek-language requirement before enrollment, unless they are exempt under the Ministry rules.
All graduates who want to work as nurses in Greece need authorization to practice and registration with the Hellenic Regulatory Body of Nurses. Knowledge of Greek is especially important because most public university nursing programs and clinical practice are in Greek. Students who need Greek preparation can look for courses at Greek language centers before or during the admission process.
What Degrees are there for Nursing in Greece?
At present, Greek higher education institutions offer several undergraduate nursing programs, while postgraduate nursing options are fewer and vary by university.
Foreign applicants interested in nursing bachelor’s degree programs in Greece should check public university departments such as the University of Peloponnese and the University of Ioannina Department of Nursing.
For postgraduate study in Greece, applicants can check the programs offered by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Cost of Studying Nursing
Education at Greek public universities is generally more affordable than in many other countries. For first-cycle studies, Greek public higher education is usually tuition-free for home and international students, except for the Hellenic Open University and foreign-language undergraduate programs.
International students still need money for rent, food, transportation, health insurance, books where applicable, and personal expenses. Public support for accommodation and meals can depend on the institution, the student’s situation, and income criteria.
Tuition can apply to English-taught undergraduate programs and to some postgraduate programs. Usually, English-taught bachelor’s programs generally range from €5,000 to €15,000 per year, while Greek-taught undergraduate programs are offered for free.
Master’s tuition varies by university and program. At the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Department of Nursing, graduate students pay total course fees of €2,000, or €500 per semester.
Requirements to Study Nursing
Undergraduate applicants normally need secondary school documents, validated and translated as required. The Greek Ministry of Education’s foreign-candidate process requires a secondary graduation certificate, certificates showing equivalence and entitlement to university admission in the applicant’s country, identification documents, and other supporting documents. Applicants should always follow the latest Ministry instructions and the university’s own instructions.
Greek is the main language of instruction in most public university nursing programs in Greece. Selected foreign candidates are required to show a certificate of Greek-language command, usually after exams at the University of Athens or the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, or a B2-level certificate from the Greek Language Centre. Candidates who graduated from a Cypriot Lyceum or from a foreign school proving that they were taught and successfully examined in Greek may be exempt.
For programs taught in English, applicants may need proof of English proficiency.
In What Languages Do You Study Nursing in Greece?
Many European countries offer undergraduate and postgraduate education programs in English. In Greece, however, most undergraduate degree programs at public universities are taught in Greek.
For example, nursing programs at public Greek universities such as the University of Peloponnese and the University of Ioannina are primarily Greek-taught degree programs. The University of Ioannina’s nursing pages note that its translated curriculum is a translation of the Greek program, while Erasmus and international students should check separate modules taught in English.
As for master’s degree programs, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Department of Nursing runs graduate programs with nursing specializations and notes that it was among the departments that first organized and ran an English-language master’s program in 1993/94.
International students who do not know Greek should start learning it early. This is important for admissions to Greek-taught programs, clinical communication, licensing, and future employment in Greece.
Best Nursing Schools in Greece
1. University of Peloponnese
Nursing is not the only activity professional nurses may be involved in. The University of Peloponnese Department of Nursing aims to educate nurses at a high level and connect nursing education with research, leadership, teamwork, health promotion, and nursing care.
The undergraduate curriculum is developed over eight semesters, with a minimum duration of four years. Students must complete 240 ECTS credits, including compulsory and elective/optional required courses.
Each semester, students complete required courses and selected electives. This structure helps students build the core knowledge required for nursing while also exploring areas of additional interest.
There’s also master’s and doctorate options in nursing available at the University of Peloponnese.
2. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Certain benefits make this university different from other Greek universities offering master’s degree courses in nursing. The Department of Nursing says it is among the departments that first organized and ran an English-language master’s program, starting in the 1993/94 academic year.
The department currently lists several graduate programs and specializations, including public health nursing, community nursing, prevention and infection control, nursing management of diabetes in children and adults, intensive care nursing, nursing of cardiovascular diseases, surgical nursing, oncology nursing and palliative care, and mental health.
The program is available to qualified graduates in nursing, military nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and corresponding related fields from Greek or foreign universities. Applicants should review the current call for applications because admissions are normally announced annually and each graduate program has a limited annual intake.
I hope this article was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Open Courses for International Students!
