Private Universities Open the Door: Zaharakis’ Gamble and the Licenses Coming in 2026

The launch of the first non-state (private) universities in Greece marks a turning point in the country’s higher education landscape—and a new frontline in political confrontation. With four institutions and 26 undergraduate programs approved to operate in the 2025–26 academic year, the government is moving from theory to practice on a reform that remained politically untouchable for decades.

Education Minister Sofia Zaharakis made it clear that the reform will not unfold under market-driven logic but through strict quality control, revealing that new applications from reputable international institutions are expected in the first months of 2026. Of the twelve applications submitted by foreign universities, only four were approved, a fact the government highlights as proof of institutional seriousness rather than speed.

Who passed the test—and who didn’t

The Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE) acted as a decisive gatekeeper, rejecting proposals that failed to meet academic, structural, or institutional standards. The political message is explicit: there will be no uncontrolled proliferation of universities.

The four approved institutions are based in Athens and Thessaloniki, with parent universities primarily from the United Kingdom and one from Cyprus. Particular attention has been drawn to the approval of Medical and Law Schools, fields traditionally dominated by public universities and closely linked to professional rights and social mobility.

The political stakes

For the government, private universities represent:

• a tool to stem student outflow abroad,
• a means to attract international students,
• and a strategic step toward the internationalization of Greek higher education.

Opposition parties and segments of the academic community argue the opposite, warning of a two-tier education systemand claiming the reform undermines public universities.

Zaharakis rejects this narrative, insisting that the development of non-state universities does not come at the expense of public institutions, which continue to receive funding for infrastructure, equipment, staff, and English-taught programs.

Why 2026 will be decisive

The next year is expected to be critical. The new wave of applications will reveal:

• whether the reform gains depth and credibility,
• whether Greece can emerge as a regional education hub,
• and whether the political cost can translate into long-term institutional and economic gains.

The government’s declared principle is clear: quality over quantity. Whether this promise holds will be judged not only in lecture halls, but also in the ongoing political battle surrounding one of the most consequential education reforms of the post-junta era.

Πηγή: pagenews.gr