How to Apply to International Schools in Athens: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
The admissions landscape at Athens international schools is not uniform. Some schools run competitive examination-based entry each year; others operate rolling admissions with the registrar throughout the year. Understanding which model applies to your target school — and acting early — is the difference between a smooth transition and a waiting list.
Admissions Models: Know Your School
Competitive Examination Entry: Athens College / Psychico College (HAEF)
Athens College and Psychico College are selective institutions. Entry at Grade 3 (Elementary), Grade 7 (Junior High School Year 1), and Grade 10 (High School Year 1) is by competitive entrance examination, held annually in March for the following September intake. The examination covers the school's academic standards in Greek, mathematics, and English.
Key facts:
- Examinations are held on the Psychico campus
- Applications typically open in October/November for March examinations
- Results and offers are issued within weeks of the examination
- There is no mid-year rolling intake at the standard competitive entry points
Families planning a September move should begin the HAEF application process the October before — meaning the planning timeline starts well over a year in advance if you are not yet in Athens.
Rolling Admissions: Campion School, St. Catherine's, ISA
Campion School, St. Catherine's British School, and the International School of Athens (ISA) all accept applications throughout the year and assess places against current availability. There is no single examination date; assessment is continuous and the child may be invited for an informal academic assessment on or shortly after application.
Admissions at these schools typically work as follows:
- Online enquiry / initial contact with the registrar
- Application form and documents submitted
- Current school asked to provide a report / reference
- Informal assessment (in person or sometimes by prior academic records)
- Offer made, conditional on satisfactory assessment and place availability
- Acceptance of offer, payment of registration and reservation fees
If no place is available, the child's name is added to the waiting list for the relevant year group.
The Application Checklist
Regardless of which school you are applying to, gather the following documents early:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Usually a copy; check whether an apostille is required |
| Passport (child and parents) | Copy; some schools ask for full copy of all pages |
| Current school reports | Typically the last two to three years |
| Reference from current school | Usually from the class teacher or head of year |
| Vaccination record | Greece requires evidence of standard vaccinations for school registration |
| Application form | School-specific; downloadable from each school's website |
| Application fee | Non-refundable; ranges from €100 to €200 depending on school |
| Passport-size photographs | Two to four photos of the child |
For HAEF: additional Greek-language materials or preparatory information may be provided with the examination invitation. Candidates sitting in English and Greek will typically be assessed in both.
Step-by-Step Timeline (September Entry)
The following timeline applies to families planning a September start and applying to Campion, St. Catherine's, or ISA:
| Month (before September entry) | Action |
|---|---|
| 18 months before | Research schools, shortlist, contact registrars to understand waiting list position |
| 12–15 months before | Submit applications and documents to all shortlisted schools |
| 10–12 months before | Child assessment, references collected, provisional offer or waiting list position confirmed |
| 6–9 months before | Confirm place, pay registration and reservation fees |
| 3–6 months before | Arrange school transport, uniform, and any pre-departure language support |
| 1 month before | Confirm start date, complete any remaining formalities (vaccination records, Greek address) |
For HAEF (Athens College / Psychico College), compress this timeline: application to sit the March examination needs to be submitted by the previous October/November, meaning the process begins 14 to 17 months before the intended September start.
Mid-Year Applications
Life does not always follow a September schedule. Job relocations, Golden Visa residency timelines, and family circumstances frequently mean families need a school place in January, April, or at other points during the academic year.
Campion, St. Catherine's, and ISA all accommodate mid-year in-year admissions where places exist. The application process is the same as for September entry. The practical challenge is availability: Year 7 (the first year of secondary school) is the most constrained year group at most schools because it is the natural entry point for families arriving from UK-based primary schools.
If you are relocating mid-year and cannot find a place immediately, some Athens families use temporary home-schooling arrangements or enrol the child in a Greek private school for a term while waiting for a place at their preferred international school.
Applying from Overseas
All three rolling-admissions schools (Campion, St. Catherine's, ISA) accept initial applications from families still outside Greece. The school visit and informal assessment can sometimes be conducted during a house-hunting trip to Athens. It is worth scheduling school visits as part of your first exploratory trip to Athens, which allows you to meet the registrar, see the facilities, and make a more informed choice.
Language Considerations
Most Athens international schools do not require incoming children to speak Greek. For purely English-medium schools (Campion, St. Catherine's) this is irrelevant to the admissions decision. ISA operates entirely in English. For HAEF, Greek language competence is relevant to the entrance examination and to daily academic life; some families prepare their children with Greek language lessons before the examination.
See settling your child into school in Athens for more on language, cultural adjustment, and healthcare registration.
After the Offer: Next Steps
Once you receive an offer:
- Accept in writing within the deadline stated in the offer letter — offers at popular schools do not remain open indefinitely
- Pay the required fees — registration fee, development fund, and reservation deposit (if applicable) are typically due on acceptance
- Provide the vaccination record — required for formal Greek school registration
- Arrange uniform and transport — contact the school for the uniform supplier and bus route details
- Register with a GP and dentist — see settling your child into school in Athens for private healthcare options in Athens
How Global Investments Can Help
If your Athens school search is connected to a move to Greece — whether for work, Golden Visa residency, or lifestyle — our team can advise on property in Greece in locations suited to your shortlisted schools. We work with internationally mobile families across the full relocation picture. Browse listings or contact us to discuss your timeline.
This guide is for information purposes only. Admissions processes, fees, and timelines are subject to change. Always verify current requirements directly with each school.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply to international schools in Athens?
As early as possible — ideally 12 to 18 months before you need a place. Athens College and Psychico College (HAEF) hold entrance examinations in March for September entry; missing this window means waiting a full year. For Campion, St. Catherine's, and ISA, rolling admissions operate year-round but popular year groups fill quickly, and waiting lists at Year 7 can stretch over multiple academic years.
What documents are typically required for international school applications in Athens?
Common requirements include: birth certificate (copy), most recent school reports (typically two to three years), reference letter from current school, passport copy, proof of vaccination, and the school's own application form and fee. Some schools require additional items such as passport-size photos, a pupil's written statement, or a parental statement of intent. Requirements vary by school.
Is there an entrance exam for Athens international schools?
Athens College and Psychico College (HAEF) require all applicants to sit a competitive entrance examination — held each March — for entry in September. Campion, St. Catherine's, and ISA conduct informal assessments rather than competitive examinations; these assess the child's current level to ensure appropriate year-group placement rather than to rank applicants against each other.
What happens if we need to move mid-year?
Campion, St. Catherine's, and ISA all accept mid-year (in-year) admissions, subject to space in the relevant year group. Contact the registrar as soon as your move dates are confirmed. HAEF (Athens College/Psychico College) is more restricted in mid-year intake due to the selective admissions model. ISA and Campion are generally the most flexible for families arriving at short notice.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.