In this guide
The Greek international school market in 2026
Greece hosts several dozen schools classed as international, and the market is unusually concentrated. The large majority sit in and around Athens, with a meaningful secondary cluster in Thessaloniki and only a handful elsewhere. The country has around 21 IB World Schools, of which roughly 14 are authorised to deliver the IB Diploma, alongside British, American, French, German and bilingual provision. For the depth of choice, the city that matters is the capital: our Athens international schools guide covers the schools, neighbourhoods and fee picture in detail, and most of this country guide points back to it.
The defining shift of the past three years has been the golden visa cohort. Families acquiring Greek residency through property investment have arrived in numbers, settling mostly in the northern Athens suburbs and on the southern coast, and many are now reaching school decision points. A second, smaller cohort of remote workers and lifestyle relocators has spread more widely, including to Thessaloniki, Crete and the islands, where the international school option is thinner. A notable 2026 development is the launch of an IB Diploma pilot in a group of Greek state high schools across Athens, Thessaloniki, Volos and Heraklion, which signals growing official interest in internationally portable qualifications even within the public system. To browse the full directory and verified parent feedback, start at our international school reviews hub.
Curricula on offer
The International Baccalaureate has the broadest reach in Greece. Around 21 schools are IB World Schools, most teaching in English and several in a Greek and English pairing, and the IB Diploma sits at sixth form in the strongest international schools. The International School of Athens in Kifissia is a long established pure IB school, and ACS Athens combines an American programme with the IB Diploma. For the full picture of how the programme works and travels, read our IB curriculum guide.
The American curriculum is the second largest provision, anchored by ACS Athens, the largest single international cohort in the country, and by Pinewood American International School in Thessaloniki. Both deliver a US high school diploma with Advanced Placement courses and feed steadily into US and international universities. The British curriculum is well represented by St Catherine's British School and Byron College in Athens, both delivering IGCSE and A Levels recognised for UK and global university entry. Campion School, one of the oldest English medium schools in Greece, sits alongside them at the established end of the market.
French and German national schools complete the picture. The Lycee Franco-Hellenique Eugene Delacroix serves the French community in Athens under the AEFE network, and the German School of Athens (DSA) serves the German speaking community. In Crete, the School of European Education in Heraklion offers a multilingual route to the European Baccalaureate within the EU's European Schools network. Several bilingual schools pair the Greek national curriculum with English, French or German for families planning a longer term stay.
Top cities for international schooling
Athens is the centre of gravity. The capital holds the deepest concentration of established schools, the broadest curriculum mix, and the residential clusters where international families settle, principally the northern suburbs around Kifissia, Psychiko and Filothei, and the southern coastal strip. Our Athens city guide sets out the schools, the commute geography and the neighbourhood choices in full, and is the natural next read for any family arriving in Greece.
Thessaloniki is the clear second city. Pinewood American International School is the established English medium option, serving the northern Greek expat and business community with a US curriculum from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Beyond these two cities the market thins fast. Crete offers the School of European Education in Heraklion and a small set of bilingual options, and the islands carry only occasional provision tied to local expat communities. For families with a firm location in mind we recommend confirming the realistic option set early, because outside Athens and Thessaloniki the choice can come down to one or two schools. Compare curricula and city pairings using our comparison guides.
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Our school finder returns a ranked shortlist of international schools in Greece matched to your child's year group, city and budget. Athens and Thessaloniki clusters covered.
Fees overview
Greece is materially cheaper than the comparable western European international markets. Annual tuition at the established Athens schools runs broadly from 7,000 to 16,000 euros, with the American and IB flagships at the upper end and the mid tier British and bilingual schools below. Thessaloniki and the smaller markets sit a little lower again. Treat the figures below as approximate published bands for 2025 to 2026 rather than exact quotes, and confirm the current numbers with each school. Use the fees database for the wider city by city comparison and the cost calculator for the all in multi year projection including housing.
| Tier | Example schools | Indicative annual tuition (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens flagship (American and IB) | ACS Athens, International School of Athens | 12,000 to 16,000 | Plus registration and transport |
| Athens British | St Catherine's British School, Byron College, Campion School | 9,000 to 14,000 | IGCSE and A Level route |
| National and bilingual | Lycee Franco-Hellenique, German School of Athens | 5,000 to 11,000 | French or German curriculum |
| Thessaloniki and secondary | Pinewood American International School | 7,000 to 12,000 | Thinner option set |
Admissions calendar
The Greek academic year runs from early September to mid June, and the main admissions cycle tracks it. Most international schools open applications for the following September from the autumn of the prior year, with the strongest schools filling popular year groups, typically the early primary intakes and the secondary entry point, well before the summer. The American and IB flagships in Athens maintain waitlists at the most sought after year groups, while the mid tier schools and the Thessaloniki market are generally more flexible and accept mid year applications subject to availability.
The application process follows the standard international school template: school reports for the past two years, references from the current school, the relevant age appropriate assessment, an English language check for non native speakers and a family interview. Greek schools usually require a copy of the residence permit and standard registration documents. Decision turnaround is faster than in the competitive Asian markets, and schools tend to accommodate families relocating mid year where capacity exists. Families arriving on the golden visa should plan the eldest child's entry first, since sibling priority then eases the rest of the family into the same school.
Choosing a school in Greece
First, decide between Athens and everywhere else. The capital offers genuine choice across curricula, fee bands and neighbourhoods, while the rest of the country offers limited options. If your work or lifestyle ties you to a specific island or smaller city, confirm the realistic school set before you commit to a location. Second, weigh the commute. The Athens international schools cluster in the northern suburbs and on the southern coast, and the cross city journey can be long. School commute should be a primary input to housing choice, as it is in every major hub.
Third, think about the curriculum against your onward plans. Families uncertain where their child will apply to university tend to favour the IB Diploma for its portability, while UK bound families lean to the British route and US bound families to the American programme at ACS Athens or Pinewood. Fourth, the Greek state and bilingual route is a genuine option for families planning a long stay, delivering credible outcomes at far lower cost, with the trade off of curriculum localisation. For the wider decision framework, read our curriculum and city comparisons and request a tailored shortlist through the school finder.
FAQ
How many international schools are there in Greece? Greece has several dozen schools classed as international, with the large majority in Athens and a smaller cluster in Thessaloniki. The country hosts around 21 IB World Schools, of which roughly 14 deliver the IB Diploma, alongside British, American, French, German and bilingual provision.
How much do international schools cost in Greece? Annual tuition at the established Athens schools runs broadly from 7,000 to 16,000 euros depending on year group and school, with the American and IB flagships at the top of that range. Thessaloniki and the smaller markets sit a little lower. Add registration, transport and lunch on top, and confirm published figures with each school.
Which curricula are offered by international schools in Greece? The IB has the broadest footprint, followed by the American and British curricula. French and German national schools serve their respective communities in Athens, and several bilingual schools pair the Greek curriculum with English, French or German.
Is Greece a good country for international school families? For families settling in or around Athens, yes. The capital has a deep, long established international school market, a mild climate and a low cost of living relative to comparable European hubs. Choice thins quickly outside Athens and Thessaloniki.