Greek students and teachers protest over living costs and housing

Thousands of educators and students walked through the streets of Athens on 21 October 2026 to demand greater state investment in education and affordable housing options. Similar demonstrations were also held in several other cities, including Thessaloniki in the northern region and the western port city of Patras. The events formed part of broader protests that have spread across Europe, fuelled by the rising cost of living, increased fuel expenses, and anger regarding school conditions and student housing shortages. Participants in the capital carried banners and cardboard signs bearing slogans such as "To study or to survive" and calls to fund education. Engineering student Panagiotis Moschonas criticised the conservative administration for failing to take adequate steps to assist learners with high expenses. He mentioned that the administration claims to help with a rent subsidy of 120 euros ($135) per month. Demonstrations across the country often turn violent, prompting shop owners and cafes along the march route to roll down steel shutters to protect their windows. Teachers organised a strike for the Wednesday protests, although certain schools remained operational during the day. Reports indicate that similar demonstrations involving violence have occurred in other European territories, including France, Italy, and Albania. Students in Athens expressed solidarity with peers in nations like France and Spain as unrest continued to spread through the region over educational underfunding and living affordability.