In short: Find an English-taught programme, pay one-third of tuition for the enrolment certificate, build the file around EUR 7,200 rather than the legal EUR 4,800, lodge it at the Dhaka visa centre and allow time for the Delhi decision. Then apply for the residence permit after arrival and a work authorisation before any job.
Greece is under-discussed among Bangladeshi students, yet the numbers are strong: one of the lowest costs of living in the eurozone (EUR 450–700 a month), EU and Schengen membership, and English-taught tuition at public universities that is half what many countries charge. The complications are two — a two-tier Dhaka–Delhi route, and the "tuition first" rule. Here is the whole process.
The process at a glance
| Step | What happens | When, for an October start |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find English-taught programmes (Study in Greece portal); sit IELTS | December–February |
| 2 | Apply directly to the university | February–April |
| 3 | Offer; pay one-third of tuition; receive the enrolment certificate | April–May |
| 4 | Attest and translate documents; funds; insurance; police clearance; accommodation | May–June |
| 5 | Submit at the Dhaka visa centre with biometrics (EUR 90 plus about EUR 30) | June–July |
| 6 | File couriered to Delhi; decision; visa | July–September |
| 7 | Apply for the residence permit after arrival | First weeks |
Finding a programme: the list is short, so look early
English-taught provision is growing — mainly at Master's level, and in business, shipping and maritime studies, tourism and computer science — but the list is still shorter than Italy's or the Netherlands'. Start with the official Study in Greece portal, then confirm language, fees and deadlines on the university's own page.
- IELTS usually 5.5–6.0, some programmes 6.5; some institutions accept MOI or run their own test
- Applications go directly to the university — there is no central portal as in Finland
- Intakes in October (main) and February
One-third of tuition — before the visa
The Greek visa file requires proof of tuition payment, and universities typically ask for at least one-third up front before issuing the enrolment or acceptance certificate. It is a third-party cost, not a consultancy fee, and it goes straight to the university's account — send it through a student file via the proper banking channel. Before paying, get the refund policy for a visa refusal in writing.
Funds and documents
What the law says versus what the consulate expects
- Legal minimum: EUR 400 a month (EUR 4,800 a year)
- What consulates actually look for: EUR 600–700 a month — so build the file on about EUR 7,200; a file sitting on the legal floor is a risk
- Statement plus solvency certificate, six-plus months of history, sponsor income documents; no blocked account
The document list
- Passport, photographs, D-visa form
- University acceptance or enrolment certificate plus proof of tuition paid
- Academic certificates — attested and translated (the attestation guide walks through the chain)
- IELTS or MOI
- Bank statement plus solvency certificate (about EUR 7,200)
- Proof of accommodation
- Travel or health insurance with the Schengen minimum of EUR 30,000
- Police clearance certificate and a medical certificate where requested
- Flight reservation
The Dhaka centre and the Delhi decision
Since February 2026 Greece has had a visa application centre in Dhaka. You book an appointment, submit the file, give biometrics and pay the fees (EUR 90 visa plus about EUR 30 service). The file then travels by courier to the Greek Embassy in New Delhi, where the decision is made, and your passport returns to Dhaka. Two consequences:
- 1You do not travel to Delhi — no Indian visa, no flights, no hotel.
- 2The timeline is longer than a resident embassy's — plan on four to eight weeks with a buffer; for October, file in June or July.
Check the centre's current rules, fees and categories on the GVCW and embassy pages before your appointment.
After arrival: residence permit and work authorisation
Enter on the D visa and, within its validity, apply for the residence permit at the office under the Ministry of Migration — with your address, insurance, enrolment and funds documents. The receipt (the "blue paper") keeps you legal while the card is processed.
Work: non-EU students need a work authorisation — there is no working from the first day. Once granted, up to 20 hours a week. Honestly: most part-time jobs outside tourist areas need Greek, and the graduate job market is weaker than Northern Europe's. Greece is an excellent choice for an affordable EU degree and a weaker one if the plan depends on staying to work immediately.
Residence: on the five-year long-term residence clock, study years count at half weight — the clock moves mainly on working years.
The mistakes that cost people
- 1Building the file on the legal EUR 400 a month — the consulate expects EUR 600–700.
- 2Ignoring the courier time to Delhi — a September filing misses October.
- 3Paying the one-third without knowing the refund rule.
- 4Assuming a programme is English-taught — applying to a Greek-medium course.
- 5Delaying the residence permit after arrival until the visa has lapsed.
Official sources — check for yourself
- Study in Greece — official information service
- Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum — residence permits
- GVCW — visa application centres for Greece
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
Is the Greek student visa handled in Dhaka or Delhi?+
Both, and this is where we are precise. Since February 2026 there is a Greek visa application centre in Dhaka, so submission and biometrics happen there and you do not travel to India. The decision, however, is taken by the Greek Embassy in New Delhi; the file goes and returns by courier. Allow four to eight weeks with a buffer.
How much money do I need to show for Greece?+
Greek law sets a floor of EUR 400 a month (EUR 4,800 a year), but consulates in practice expect EUR 600–700 a month, so about EUR 7,200 for the year is the figure to build the file around. Shown through a bank statement and solvency certificate; no blocked account is required.
Do I really have to pay a third of tuition before the visa?+
Usually, yes. The Greek visa file requires proof of tuition payment, and universities generally take at least one-third before issuing the enrolment or acceptance certificate. It goes to the university's account, not to any consultancy. Get the refund policy for a visa refusal in writing before you pay.
Can students work in Greece?+
Yes, but not on arrival — non-EU students need a work authorisation, after which up to 20 hours a week is permitted. Realistically, most part-time work outside tourist areas requires Greek, so do not build the budget on part-time income.
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