Primary Schools in Athens for Expat Families: A Complete Guide (2026)
Primary school choice in Athens is not only about finding a good school for now — it is about choosing a curriculum track that carries through to secondary and university. The British curriculum, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), and the Greek-English bilingual pathway lead to different secondary and post-16 options. Understanding the curriculum landscape at primary level is the starting point for a coherent Athens education plan.
The Curriculum Choice at Primary Age
The primary curriculum choice in Athens essentially comes down to three paths:
British Curriculum (National Curriculum of England and Wales): Campion School and St. Catherine's offer the full English national curriculum from Reception or Year 1 through to Year 6. This is the natural track for children arriving from UK schools, and it transitions seamlessly into IGCSE at Year 10, followed by the IB Diploma post-16 at the same school (both schools run the IB Diploma at sixth form). Subject content, assessment approaches, and terminology align with UK norms through to IGCSE.
IB Primary Years Programme (PYP): The International School of Athens offers the full IB continuum: PYP at primary (up to age 12), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) through lower secondary, and the IB Diploma at 16–18. The PYP is inquiry-based and internationally structured, and is the natural track for families who want the IB pathway through to the Diploma and who may relocate to a third country (IB schools exist worldwide, making transitions easier).
Greek-English Bilingual: Athens College's Kantza Elementary School (HAEF) offers a bilingual Greek-English primary from Grade 1. For families intending to remain in Greece long-term, or who value genuine bilingualism as a goal, this is the most academically prestigious bilingual option in Athens. Entry to the Kantza Elementary is also via HAEF admissions processes, though primary entry may be less competitive than the Grade 7 examination.
Campion School: Primary Years (Years 1–6)
Campion's primary section (lower school) follows the English national curriculum. It is located on the Pallini campus, which houses both primary and secondary. Children who begin at Campion primary progress naturally to Campion secondary, maintaining curriculum continuity and peer relationships.
Age range: Years 1–6 (approximately age 5–11) Location: Pallini, eastern suburbs Fees (2025–2026): Years 3–6: €12,550 per year
Primary years at Campion are slightly lower in cost than secondary, making it a more accessible entry point for families on a tighter budget who nonetheless want a British-curriculum education.
Consideration: Pallini is not a central location. Families living in Psychico, Kifisia, or the southern suburbs will typically rely on the school bus. The bus network is well-established, but a young primary-age child on a school bus for an extended journey each day is worth considering for younger year groups.
St. Catherine's British School: Nursery to Year 6
St. Catherine's accepts children from Nursery (age 3) and runs through to Year 13. The primary section (Nursery through Year 6) is on the same Lykovrissi campus as the secondary, and early registration at Nursery level is one of the most effective strategies for securing a secondary place at what can be a waiting-list school.
Age range: Nursery (age 3) through Year 6 (age 10–11) Location: Lykovrissi, northern suburbs Fees (2025–2026): Nursery: €9,710; Reception–Year 1: €13,300; Year 2: €13,970; Years 3–6: €14,120
The Nursery and Reception fees at St. Catherine's are the most accessible primary-level fees among the fully British-curriculum schools, with Nursery starting below €10,000 per year. Families who register at Nursery and maintain enrolment have a natural pathway through to the IGCSE and IB Diploma years without navigating Year 7 waiting lists.
International School of Athens (ISA): IB Primary Years Programme
ISA is Athens's only full IB World School. The Primary Years Programme at ISA runs from Kindergarten (typically age 3–4) through to Grade 5 (approximately age 10–11). The PYP is structured around units of inquiry, transdisciplinary learning, and a student-centred approach — philosophically distinct from the more subject-structured British curriculum.
Age range: Kindergarten through Grade 5 Location: Kifisia, northern suburbs Fees (2026–2027): Nursery/pre-KG: approximately €8,700 per year (note: fees increased from 2025–2026 to 2026–2027; confirm current schedule with ISA directly)
ISA's PYP is genuinely international in character. The school community includes children from across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. For globally mobile families who expect to move again — to another country where an IB school will be the natural choice — a PYP-MYP-DP continuum at ISA provides maximum future portability.
Athens College Elementary School (HAEF, Kantza Campus)
The HAEF elementary schools (Athens College Elementary) are located on the Kantza campus in the eastern suburbs, distinct from the Psychico campus which houses the secondary HAEF schools. Instruction is bilingual Greek-English from Grade 1. French is also taught from early grades.
For expat families intending to stay in Greece beyond primary age, HAEF elementary is a prestigious bilingual foundation for the HAEF secondary pathway, with its competitive Junior High examination. For families whose stay in Athens is likely to be shorter, the Greek-language intensity at HAEF may be a barrier for children arriving with no Greek.
Ellinogermaniki Agogi: Greek-German Bilingual Primary
Ellinogermaniki Agogi (EA) is located in Pallini (on the same eastern-suburbs axis as Campion) and offers a Greek-German bilingual education from kindergarten. English is taught alongside German across all grades. EA is an innovative school with strong STEM and research credentials, but it is primarily a Greek-German institution rather than an English-medium one. It suits families with a German-language background or those specifically seeking German-bilingual education.
Registering for Greek State Primary
Greek state primary schools (dimotiko) are compulsory from age 6 and free to all residents, including EU citizens and holders of Greek residency (such as Golden Visa holders). Registration requires the child's birth certificate, health booklet (vaccination record), and proof of Greek residence.
Instruction is entirely in Greek. For children who arrive at age 6 with basic Greek (from nursery or early private-school exposure), the state dimotiko can work well. For children with no Greek, the transition requires additional language support which is not routinely provided by the Greek state system; families often supplement with private Greek tutoring.
Choosing Your Primary School: Key Questions
| Question | Implication |
|---|---|
| How long are you staying in Athens? | Long-stay: bilingual (HAEF) adds lasting value. Short-stay: British or IB preserves portability. |
| What secondary curriculum do you want? | British primary → IGCSE/A-Level secondary. IB PYP → IB MYP/DP. |
| How central is your Athens home? | Pallini schools (Campion, EA) require eastern location or school bus tolerance. Lykovrissi (St. Catherine's) and Kifisia (ISA) are more northern-suburb friendly. |
| What is your budget? | Nursery/primary at St. Catherine's and Campion starts €9,700–€12,550. ISA primary is similar. HAEF contact for fees. |
See best areas in Athens near international schools and international school fees in Athens for further planning detail.
How Global Investments Can Help
Families planning a move to Athens with young children need to think several years ahead — from nursery enrolment through to secondary and university. Global Investments advises internationally mobile families on property in Greece at all stages of the planning process, and can help you identify Athens neighbourhoods that work for your target primary school. Browse listings or contact our team to discuss your plans.
This guide is for information purposes only. School fees, admissions processes, and curricula are subject to change. Always verify directly with schools. Investment values can fall as well as rise.
Frequently asked questions
What primary school options are available for English-speaking expat children in Athens?
The main options are: Campion School (Years 1–6, British curriculum, Pallini), St. Catherine's British School (Reception–Year 6, British curriculum, Lykovrissi), International School of Athens (Kindergarten–Grade 5, IB Primary Years Programme, Kifisia), and Athens College Elementary at Kantza (Greek-English bilingual, HAEF). Ellinogermaniki Agogi in Pallini offers a Greek-German bilingual primary programme.
At what age can my child start at an Athens international primary school?
Most schools accept children from age 3 (nursery/kindergarten). Campion's primary intake starts from Year 1 (age 5–6). St. Catherine's has a Nursery from age 3 and Reception from age 4–5. ISA accepts children from nursery age into the PYP. Athens College's Kantza Elementary School starts from Grade 1 (age 6). Check each school's current minimum age requirement directly.
Does it matter which primary school my child attends in Athens for secondary school choice?
Yes, significantly. The primary school your child attends can determine which secondary curriculum track is the most natural transition. A child educated through the British curriculum at Campion or St. Catherine's from age 5 transitions most naturally into the secondary British/IGCSE track at the same or a comparable school. A child in ISA's IB PYP transitions naturally into the IB MYP at ISA. Switching curriculum at 11 is possible but can require adjustment time.
What is the Greek state primary school system like for expat children?
Greek state primary schools (dimotiko) are free and operate from age 6. All instruction is in Greek. For expat children with no Greek, immersion in a Greek state primary is most manageable at the youngest ages (6–8) when language acquisition is fastest; it becomes progressively harder as academic content demands increase. Most English-speaking expat families with no Greek language background opt for international or private primary schools.
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.