New Legal Challenges Emerge Against Licenses for Seven Non-State Universities in Greece, Including U.S. Institutions
New applications for annulment have been filed against the operating licenses of seven non-state universities in Greece, which were approved for the 2026-2027 academic year. This development follows a recent decision by the Fourth Department of the Council of State to annul three operating licenses for non-state universities already operating in Greece through branches. The new legal challenges target institutions including Georgetown University, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, and Roger Williams University (which will operate as Deree – The American University of Greece), along with European University Cyprus, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, University of Essex, and University of Derby. Six of these new institutions are slated to operate in Athens, while Iowa State University of Science and Technology will be established in Thessaloniki. The Ministry of Education granted these licenses based on positive opinions from the National Authority for Higher Education (ETHAEE) and EOPPEP.