Greek Students Protest Soaring Costs of Housing and Living
Image via KKE video screenshot.
Various Sources
Students in Athens held a mass protest outside the Greek Parliament on October 13 to denounce soaring housing costs, inadequate dormitories, and rising living expenses.
The students were highlighting the state’s failure to provide adequate support for students facing severe housing shortages and high rents. Many students set up tents in Syntagma Square, directly across from Parliament, as a symbolic act to show that they cannot afford housing while studying. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) reports that they then "unfurled a giant banner outside the Parliament building with the slogan “Should we study or should we survive?”"
The protest drew participation from dozens of student associations, forming a broad coalition of university groups.
Students report that rents for small studio apartments have reached around €600, placing heavy financial pressure on families. According to student representatives, existing student residences cover less than 4% of housing needs, and some major universities—such as the University of West Attica—have no dormitories at all.
Protesters also cited rising costs of food, transportation, energy, and educational materials, making it increasingly difficult to continue their studies. Student unions say that the government has failed to prioritize funding for student housing and education, worsening the crisis.
Students held an organized march to the Finance Ministry at 6 p.m., where they submitted their demands for improved housing support and financial relief. The demonstration continued into the night with an overnight gathering and a concert featuring several Greek performers.
Despite heavy rainfall, students maintained their presence in the square and called for more participants to join the ongoing protest.
Student unions emphasized that the crisis is affecting not only students but also working‑class families, who face similar pressures from high energy and food costs.
Organizers announced that further demonstrations and university assemblies would continue in the coming days as part of a sustained campaign for better housing and financial support.
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