Every September thousands of students arrive in Patras for the University of Patras and the local departments of other institutions. Along with the search for a flat come questions that affect the whole family: who files the tax return, how do we claim the student housing allowance, what happens if the student finds a job?
This guide brings the essentials together, so that no allowance is lost and no mistake surfaces a year later.
First the basics: tax number, codes and social security number
Every student needs their own tax number (AFM), personal Taxisnet codes and a social security number (AMKA). Without these there is no hiring, no bank account in many banks and no application of any kind. If the student does not have codes yet, sort that out before the academic year starts.
The tax return: who files it?
A student who is studying and has no significant income of their own is usually declared as a dependant on the parents’ tax return. That matters, because tax deductions for the family and several benefits depend on that status.
If the student has their own income, for example from employment, paid practical training or self-employment, then:
- they file their own tax return
- it must be checked whether they still count as a dependant of their parents, based on the amount and the type of income
- both returns must be filed consistently, so that no deduction is lost
The thresholds for when a child stops being a dependant vary with the type of income. If the student worked during the year, it is worth having the accountant look at both returns together.
The student housing allowance
The student housing allowance is paid once a year to families whose child studies in a city other than their permanent residence. In recent years the amount has been 1,500 euro per student, but the amount and the criteria are confirmed each year by the ministerial decision that opens the platform.
What is usually checked
- the student is enrolled and progressing in their studies
- family income is below the threshold, which rises with the number of children
- the property criteria of the decision are met
- there is a lease declared to the tax authority, in the name of the student or of the parent who claims them as a dependant
The most common mistake: the lease
Many applications are rejected because the landlord never declared the lease to the tax authority, or because the lease is in a name that does not match the application. When you rent a flat in Patras, ask for an electronic lease from the start and accept it with your own codes.
When the application is made
The application is filed electronically on the Ministry of Education platform, usually in the summer, for the academic year that has just finished. That means the lease you sign now, in September, will be needed in next summer’s application. Keep the paperwork organised from the beginning.
The student found a job: what changes
Many students in Patras work in cafes, restaurants or shops, especially at weekends and during the Carnival season. Before the job starts, it helps to know that:
- the hiring must be declared in the ERGANI system before work begins
- the student can check their own contributions in their individual insurance record
- at the end of the year the employer issues an income and tax certificate, which is pre-filled into the tax return
- the tax reform in force from 2026 provides more favourable treatment for young people up to 25 and up to 30, so the return should be completed carefully
Income from a job can also affect the family’s eligibility for benefits. That does not mean the student should not work, it means a quick calculation is worth doing first.
Rent refund for student housing
In recent years a refund of part of the rent has been introduced for tenants who meet income criteria, and it can cover housing for a child who is studying. Here too the basic requirement is an electronic lease and rent paid in a way that can be proven, for example by bank transfer. One more reason to get the lease right on day one.
Checklist for the start of the year
- tax number, Taxisnet codes and social security number for the student
- electronic lease declared to the tax authority and accepted by the tenant
- rent paid by bank transfer
- a folder with the enrolment certificate, the lease and the receipts
- if the student works, tell the accountant before the tax return is filed
If you would like us to look at the family tax return or at the criteria for the allowances, contact us. See also our guide to the housing allowance.
If you would like our office to handle it for you, see TAXGROUP services.
Frequently asked questions
If the student works, do the parents lose the deductions for a dependent child?
Not necessarily. It depends on the amount and the type of income. It is best to review the student return and the parents return together.
Whose name should the lease be in for the housing allowance?
In the name of the student or of the parent who claims them as a dependant, and it must be declared electronically to the tax authority.
When is the student housing allowance application made?
Usually in the summer, on the Ministry of Education platform, for the academic year that has just ended. The exact dates are announced each year.
Does the student need their own Taxisnet codes?
Yes. They are needed for hiring, for accepting the lease, for their own tax return and for many electronic applications.