Students move into smaller homes and consider sharing as rents rise

Smaller apartments, furnished homes and shared accommodation are becoming the dominant choices in Greece’s student housing market as parents and students try to manage rising rents. A small apartment near a major university, or close to public transport, can find a new tenant within days of the previous resident leaving.

Dimitris Oikonomou, co-founder of the MyStudentFlat platform with Elena Orfanidou, told Kathimerini that small apartments change tenants in 17 days in Athens, 18 days in Thessaloniki and 21 days in Patras. “These are particularly short periods, and they are continually getting shorter,” he said. Where no major cleaning or repairs are needed, the turnover can be faster still.

The comparison with other European markets shows how tight the Greek market has become. Data from Bonard Student Housing Intelligence puts turnover at three days in Amsterdam, five in Rotterdam, up to one week in Lisbon, five days in Barcelona and six in Malaga.

“

In Athens we see that a small apartment can change tenants in 17 days, in Thessaloniki in 18 days and in Patras in 21 days. These are particularly short periods, and they are continually getting shorter.

Oikonomou said the Netherlands has become the most popular destination for international students, with many students avoiding Britain after Brexit. Southern European countries such as Spain are attracting students from Eastern Europe and Italy. Combined with tourism, this has contributed to a shortage of small homes and their rapid absorption.

Students searching for apartments under 50 square metres now compete with singles, young couples, single-parent families, divorcees and, in some cases, digital nomads. As availability remains limited, asking rents continue to rise.

“

The Netherlands is currently the most popular host country for students from other countries, as many foreign students now avoid Britain after Brexit.