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Greek authorities said on Friday that more than 300,000 inactive university students had been removed from the rolls, reducing the country’s official student population by nearly half.
The move marks the end of a decades-long practice – which recent legislation formally abolished – of allowing for extended admissions to promote lifelong learning and long breaks from work.
Friday, Ministry of Education It said 308,605 students admitted to four-year degree programs at state universities before 2017 have been removed from their records.
“Student status at any modern European university is not valid for life,” said Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki. “We want degrees that are valuable and reflect effort, skill and passion.”
Ministry of Education officials said about 35,000 people will successfully apply for readmission in 2025.
Opponents of the conservative government’s reforms, mainly from academia, argue that the second chance program fails to address the scale of damage caused by Greece’s severe financial crisis over the past decade.
According to 2024 data from the Hellenic Higher Education Authority, the number of active students in the country is just over 350,000, studying in 25 public higher education institutions.
Undergraduate degree programs at state universities are usually funded by the government. Until recently, only public universities offering state-recognized degrees operated in Greece. But recognized private universities are gradually introducing it.
Department of Education officials said dormant students – those whose studies are interrupted – do not impose any direct financial burden on universities but cause administrative difficulties.
“By updating student lists, universities are able to plan more accurately,” said Nikos Papaioannou, deputy education minister.
“This is a prerequisite for improving academic quality, day-to-day operations and assessment standards Greek The university is ranked internationally. “