Thousands of Greek students and teachers march in Athens for affordable housing and school funds

Thousands of students and teachers marched through the streets of Athens on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, to demand affordable housing and increased state investment in education. Similar protests took place in other Greek cities, including Thessaloniki in the north and Patras in the west.

Grievances and Protests

Participants pointed to high living costs, rising fuel prices, and poor conditions in schools as key reasons for the demonstrations. Engineering student Panagiotis Moschonas criticised the government for offering a rent subsidy of 120 euros, or about 135 dollars, per month, arguing that it fails to cover even half of a monthly rent payment and arrives only at the end of the year. Teachers also joined a strike on Wednesday, with teacher Ioannis Rompas stating that families struggle to make ends meet while school conditions worsen year after year.

Security and Context

Riot police closely monitored the march in Athens, conducting spot checks and bag searches as stores and cafes along the route closed their shutters to prevent damage. According to ABC News, these demonstrations form part of a broader wave of European protests driven by living costs and housing shortages, with violence reported in countries such as France, Italy, and Albania.

Context

High living costs and a shortage of affordable housing have increasingly put pressure on students and families across Europe in recent years. Public sector strikes and street demonstrations are common responses in countries like Greece when economic pressures mount and public services face funding strains.