Greece: Best Value Mediterranean Training
- Best Price Western Europe: €70-85k training, €300-500/month living
- Perfect Weather: 300+ sunny days, Mediterranean climate year-round
- Island Flying: Train to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete - unique experience
- Low Cost Living: Beach lifestyle for less than UK/Germany/France
- EU Benefits: EASA license, Schengen access, Western standards
Greece: Mediterranean Training Paradise
Greece delivers the best value in Western Europe. Same EASA license as Germany or France. Half the living costs. Perfect weather. Island flying to Santorini and Mykonos during training.
The numbers: €70-85k training cost. €300-500/month living. Total €80-100k complete. Compare to €110-130k Germany, €100-120k France.
Weather advantage: 300+ flyable days. Minimal cancellations. Train consistently year-round. Mediterranean climate beats Northern Europe dramatically.
Top 3 Greek Flight Schools Comparison
| School | ATPL Cost | Duration | Location | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean Aviation | €72-80k | 18-22 months | Thessaloniki | Island operations |
| Egnatia Aviation | €70-78k | 18-24 months | Thessaloniki | Lowest cost |
| Aviation Academy Austria | €75-85k | 20-24 months | Athens | Capital location |
Mediterranean Aviation Academy
Thessaloniki | Island Flying Specialists
Island operations training: Fly to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes during training. Short runways, challenging approaches, mountain terrain. Experience airlines value highly.
Modern fleet: Diamond DA40/42, Cessna 172. FNPT II simulators. Based at Thessaloniki International - Greece's second largest airport.
International focus: Students from 40+ countries. Complete English instruction. Visa support, accommodation assistance. Active international community.
Egnatia Aviation
Thessaloniki | Best Value Greece
Best value Western Europe: €70-78k complete ATPL. Same EASA license as expensive schools. No compromise on quality - modern equipment, experienced instructors.
Flexible training: Integrated and modular programs. Part-time options available. Work-study balance possible. Career-changer friendly scheduling.
Proven results: 500+ graduates flying for European airlines. Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Aegean Airlines. Strong placement record despite low cost.
Aviation Academy Austria Greece
Athens | Capital City Training
Athens advantage: Train at Greece's capital and largest airport. Access to busy international operations. Major European hub experience. Best quality of life Greece.
Austrian partnership: Part of Austrian aviation network. High standards, German-Austrian quality. Dual-country training options available. European connections.
Premium facilities: Modern training center. Latest Diamond aircraft fleet. Advanced simulators. Professional environment matching major European schools.
Real Total Cost in Greece
Training + Extras
20-Month Living
Complete cost including training, exams, equipment, and 20 months living. Compare: Germany €115-130k, France €100-120k, UK €125-165k. Greece saves €15-40k.
Why Choose Greece for Pilot Training
Best Western Europe Value
€70-85k training vs €90-150k elsewhere. Save €20-50k total. Same EASA license validity.
Perfect Weather
300+ flyable days. Mediterranean climate. Minimal delays vs Northern Europe rain.
Island Operations
Train to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete. Short runways, challenging approaches. Unique experience.
Low Living Costs
€300-500/month rent. €600-950/month total. Beach lifestyle cheap.
Diverse Training
Mountains, islands, coastal, busy international airports. Complete variety in one country.
EU Benefits
Schengen Area. EASA license. Western standards. Work anywhere in Europe.
Student Life in Greece
Thessaloniki
- Greece's 2nd city, 1M+ metro area
- €300-400/month rent possible
- Active student city, universities
- Beaches, nightlife, culture
- Lower cost than Athens
Athens
- Capital city, 3.7M residents
- €400-600/month accommodation
- Rich history, Acropolis, museums
- Best quality of life Greece
- International atmosphere
Monthly Living Costs Breakdown
| Expense | Thessaloniki | Athens | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Accommodation
|
€300-400 | €400-600 | Shared flat/studio |
|
Food & Groceries
|
€200-250 | €250-300 | Cook at home |
|
Public Transport
|
€30-40 | €40-50 | Monthly pass |
|
Phone & Internet
|
€30-50 | €40-60 | Often included |
|
Utilities
|
€50-80 | €60-100 | Electricity, water |
|
Entertainment
|
€80-120 | €100-150 | Dining, activities |
|
Personal Items
|
€50-80 | €60-100 | Clothes, misc |
|
TOTAL MONTHLY
|
€740-1,020 | €950-1,360 | Complete budget |
Budget Friendly
Thessaloniki offers best value - €740-1,020/month total. Share flat, cook meals, use public transport.
Moderate Comfort
Athens moderate lifestyle - €950-1,360/month. Studio apartment, eat out sometimes, entertainment budget.
Compare Savings
Save €200-400/month vs Germany (€1,050-1,200), €300-500/month vs UK (€1,200-1,800). Massive difference over 20 months.
English everywhere: All schools teach in English. No Greek required. International communities active. Visa support provided for non-EU students. Schengen benefits for European travel.
Food & Dining
Supermarkets: Lidl, AB Vassilopoulos, Sklavenitis. Fresh produce cheap - tomatoes, olives, feta, bread staples of Mediterranean diet.
Eating out: Traditional tavernas €8-15 per meal. Souvlaki/gyros €3-5. Coffee culture strong - freddo espresso €2-3.
Student deals: University areas have cheap eateries. Lunch specials €5-8. Greek hospitality means generous portions.
Lifestyle & Activities
Beaches: Free public beaches everywhere. Organized beaches €5-10 for sunbed. Clear blue water, 8+ months swimming season.
Nightlife: Active bar/club scene. Beer €3-5, cocktails €6-8. Much cheaper than Northern Europe. Safe cities, friendly atmosphere.
Culture: Ancient sites, museums, archaeology. Student discounts available. Weekend island trips - ferries from €20.
Transport
Public transport: Thessaloniki buses €1 per ride, €30 monthly pass. Athens metro/bus integrated - €30-40 monthly student passes.
Taxis: Affordable for occasional use. €4-6 base fare, €0.70/km. Uber/Beat apps available in major cities.
Travel: Domestic flights Athens-islands from €30. Ferries extensive network. Easy access to Italy, Turkey, Balkans for weekend trips.
Accommodation Tips
Finding housing: Schools assist with arrangements. Websites: Spitogatos.gr, XE.gr. Join Facebook groups "Athens Apartments" or "Thessaloniki Housing".
Typical costs: Shared room €200-300, studio €350-500, 1-bedroom €450-650. Most include furniture. Check utilities included or separate.
Neighborhoods: Thessaloniki: Ano Poli (old town), Ladadika (nightlife). Athens: Exarchia (student area), Koukaki (near Acropolis), Pagrati (residential).
Healthcare & Services
Health insurance: EU students use EHIC. Non-EU need private insurance (€30-50/month). Good healthcare system, English-speaking doctors available.
Aviation medical: Multiple EASA-approved AMEs in Athens and Thessaloniki. Class 1 medical €300-400. Renewal annually €250-350.
Banking: Easy to open account with passport. Major banks: Alpha Bank, Eurobank, Piraeus. English-speaking staff in branches. Mobile banking excellent.
International Community
Student life: Greek people extremely hospitable and friendly. English widely spoken in cities. Young population speaks good English.
Expat groups: Active international communities. Facebook groups, meetups, language exchanges. Easy to make friends from around the world.
Aviation network: Connect with other student pilots. Schools organize social events. Alumni networks for career support after graduation.
Which Greek School?
Mediterranean Aviation: Island operations training. Unique experience. Thessaloniki student life.
Egnatia Aviation: Absolute lowest cost (€70-78k). Best value Western Europe. Flexible scheduling.
Aviation Academy Austria: Athens capital location. Austrian quality. Premium facilities.
All deliver same EASA license. Choose by budget (Egnatia), experience (Mediterranean), or location (AAA Athens). Save €20-40k vs Germany/France while enjoying Mediterranean lifestyle and perfect weather.