The "hidden costs" of public education are substantial: ranging from €800 to €6,000 per year for a single child

Monday, Sep 14, 2026

Greek families face high, growing education costs due to private tutoring and activities, unlike many European nations offering state aid.

πŸ”— Read the article on efsyn.gr


[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

The cost of education in Greece, despite being publicly offered for free, involves a growing parallel system heavily funded by parents. Expenses range from initial school supplies costing around 150 euros to thousands of euros in high school, covering activities, foreign languages, and tutoring. Data shows significant financial pressure on Greek households due to educational costs, which consume a notable percentage of family spending, particularly for larger or single-parent families. Parents report substantial monthly expenditures on supplementary education. Market research indicates rising prices for basic school items (5% to 25% increases are noted). The cost of extracurricular activities and tutoring can be very high; for example, preparing for university entrance exams might incur a hidden cost of up to 600 euros per month. In contrast, many European countries provide subsidies or vouchers to help families cover educational expenses, which is not systematically implemented in Greece. Examples from France, Austria, Romania, and Bulgaria show varying levels of state support and associated costs.


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