Greece’s Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports has authorized seven universities to open international branch campuses in the country, with operations set to commence during the 2026–27 academic year. The newly licensed institutions include Georgetown University and Roger Williams University, which will jointly operate as The American University of Greece, along with Iowa State University and European University Cyprus. Additionally, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord from France, the University of Essex, and the University of Derby from the U.K. received clearance to continue their existing operations in Greece.
Six of the approved campuses will be located in Athens, while Iowa State University’s branch will be established in Thessaloniki. The authorization process involved evaluations by the National Authority for Higher Education and the National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance, according to the ministry’s statement.
This approval represents a continuation of Greece’s policy shift toward permitting foreign university branches, which was authorized when Parliament passed enabling legislation more than two years prior. The initial passage of the legislation prompted significant student protests, with thousands of demonstrators expressing concerns that private international institutions could disadvantage public universities through competitive hiring practices and admissions standards.
Government officials characterized the expansion of international campuses as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Greek higher education. Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki described the approval as evidence of a sustained commitment to reform, while Deputy Minister Nikos Papaioannou emphasized that the initiative addresses long-standing brain-drain challenges by retaining students domestically. Earlier approvals granted in August 2025 authorized the Open University, University of York, University of Keele, and University of Nicosia to operate campuses in Athens and Thessaloniki.
The government stated that the regulatory framework governing non-profit non-state universities incorporates strict academic oversight and quality assurance standards among the most rigorous in Europe.
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