Greek students braved heavy rain to pitch tents outside parliament in Athens on Tuesday, demanding affordable housing and more education funding as rising living costs put university places beyond the reach of some students.
University students set up camp in Syntagma Square on 13 October, protesting against soaring rents, energy bills and the rising cost of education.
Despite the downpour, protesters spent the night in tents, warning that mounting financial pressures were forcing some students to turn down university places or abandon their studies.
Organised by student associations across Athens, the demonstration began with a rally outside the Finance Ministry before moving to Syntagma Square for concerts and an overnight protest.
The action comes amid a wave of student demonstrations across Europe, including in France and Spain, over education funding and the cost of living.
Housing costs are at the heart of the protests, with students struggling to secure affordable accommodation near their universities.
According to Reuters, competition for rental properties near university campuses has intensified, making it increasingly difficult for students living away from home to find somewhere affordable.
Student unions warn that some families can no longer afford the combined burden of rent, utility bills, textbooks and other university expenses.
They say the growing financial strain is threatening access to higher education, particularly for students who must move away from home to study.
Student associations are calling for rent caps, increased housing allowances and more publicly funded student accommodation.
They want the government to make housing support available to more students by increasing income eligibility thresholds and scrapping academic performance requirements.
Other demands include free accommodation for first-year students facing financial hardship and investment in renovating and expanding university dormitories.
Beyond housing, protesters want greater university funding, cheaper textbooks and supplies, and action to bring down electricity and fuel costs.
They are also demanding free meals, public transport and internet access, alongside more flexible university transfer rules for students struggling financially.
Student associations say universities are struggling with staff shortages, inadequate facilities and rising running costs, arguing that greater public investment is urgently needed.
They have also criticised government policies permitting private universities to be established, warning that the move could undermine public higher education.
Organisers are challenging the government's spending priorities, urging it to direct more resources towards education and social services.
At the centre of their concerns is whether students from lower-income families can afford to pursue a degree without facing overwhelming financial pressure.
The Athens demonstration follows similar protests elsewhere in Europe, where students and education workers have raised concerns over funding, housing and rising costs.
In France, school pupils, university students and teachers have protested against education funding cuts, staff shortages and poor classroom conditions. Reuters reported that French school students had demonstrated for four consecutive weeks.
In Spain, demonstrators have rallied against soaring housing costs, while students in Belgium have opposed tuition fee increases and cuts to education budgets.
Italian students have also staged university occupations, including in Rome and Turin.
Organisers in Athens say protests in France and Spain helped inspire their demonstration.
Protesters planned to keep their camp in Syntagma Square until Wednesday, maintaining pressure on the Greek government to tackle rising housing and education costs.
Student associations hope the demonstration will push the authorities to introduce measures that ease the financial burden on students and make university education more accessible.
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