Summary

The Higher Vocational Training School of Chania (SAEK Chania) has opened applications for the 2026–27 academic year, with places available across ten specialisations — all completely free of charge. Applications must be submitted online by Friday, September 11, 2026 at 15:00, and successful candidates are enrolled automatically without any further paperwork. Of particular note for local residents is an Agrotourism Technician course based in the Apokoronas district itself.

Free vocational training places available at SAEK Chania — deadline September 11

Secondary school graduates in the Chania region now have the chance to gain a recognised professional qualification at no cost. The Higher Vocational Training School of Chania (SAEK Chania) has officially opened its application window for the 2026–27 academic year, offering places across ten different specialisations — and the training is entirely free.

Who can apply?

Anyone who has completed secondary education is eligible to apply. Each applicant can select up to three preferred specialisations, ranked in order of preference. If accepted, enrolment is automatic — there is no separate registration step after the results are announced.

Courses on offer

SAEK Chania is offering the following programmes for 2026–27:

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Interior Architecture, Decoration and Object Design

Business Administration and Economics

IT Applications Technician (Multimedia / Web Designer-Developer / Video Games)

Mountain Guide

Baker and Pastry Chef

Hairdressing Technician

Agrotourism Technician — class held in the Apokoronas district

Refrigeration, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician — class held in Kissamos

Business Administration and Economics in Tourism — class held in Sfakia

For residents of Apokoronas, the Agrotourism Technician course is a standout option: it is held locally within the district, meaning there is no need to travel into Chania city for classes.

How to apply

Applications are submitted exclusively through the Ministry of Education's online platform. Once on the portal, applicants upload the supporting documents requested by the system — these are used to verify identity and calculate the points-based ranking. The deadline is strict, so applicants are advised not to leave things to the last minute.

Application window: September 1, 2026 from 13:00 to September 11, 2026 at 15:00

Online application portal: https://diek.it.minedu.gov.gr

Tuition fees: none — training is completely free

Maximum specialisations per application: 3

A full list of specialisations offered at SAEK schools across Greece for 2026–27 can be downloaded here: Download specialisations list (Excel)

You can also explore all SAEK locations on an interactive map: SAEK Map

Contact details

SAEK Chania is based at the school complex of the General Lyceum and EPAL in Akrotiri, on the Akrotiri peninsula near Chania.

Address: Profitis Ilias, Akrotiri, Chania, 73100

Phone: 28210 59855 / 28210 20115

Email: [email protected]

SAEK CHANIA – Start of Submission of Applications for Selection and Enrolment of Trainees at the Higher Vocational Training School of Chania

2 September 2026, 10:42 AM

The General Secretariat for Vocational Education, Training and Lifelong Learning announces the start of the submission of applications for selection and enrolment of trainees at the Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) under the authority of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports for the academic year 2026-2027, from:

Tuesday 1 September 2026 at 13:00 until Friday 11 September 2026 at 15:00.

The application is submitted ONLY electronically at the following link: https://diek.it.minedu.gov.gr

At the same link you will find instructions for submitting the application as well as answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" to assist interested parties.

At the Higher Vocational Training School of Chania (S.A.E.K. Chania) the following specialisations are offered for selection:

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE, DECORATION AND OBJECT DESIGN
EXECUTIVE OF ADMINISTRATION AND ECONOMICS
IT APPLICATIONS TECHNICIAN (MULTIMEDIA/WEB DESIGNER-DEVELOPER/VIDEO GAMES)
MOUNTAIN GUIDE
BAKERY AND PASTRY TECHNICIAN
HAIRDRESSING ART TECHNICIAN
AGROTOURISM TECHNICIAN (Apokoronas Department)
REFRIGERATION, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATIONS TECHNICIAN (Kissamos Department)
EXECUTIVE OF ADMINISTRATION AND ECONOMICS IN THE TOURISM SECTOR (Sfakia Department)

Secondary education graduates are invited to submit an electronic application for selection and enrolment at the SAEK under the authority of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, selecting up to three (3) specialisations of interest to them from a range of specialisations offered at the SAEK of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports.

Together with the application, candidates must also submit the necessary supporting documents that will be requested by the system for identification and correct scoring. It is noted that successful candidates are automatically enrolled in the specialisation and the SAEK in which they succeeded, without any further enrolment procedure being required.

Study at the SAEK of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports is provided free of charge. The SAEK offer quality initial vocational training and provide trainees with the opportunity to enhance their professional qualifications, their professional dynamism, their prospects of absorption into the labour market, and their placement in modern employment positions.

You can find information about the specialisations of the SAEK of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports that will be offered in the next academic year 2026-2027 at the following link:

https://diek.it.minedu.gov.gr/docs/EidikotitesA_2026.xlsx

or through the electronic application "SAEK Map" at the address:

https://ieklab/sch.gr/saekmap

Contact Information

S.A.E.K. Chania

School complex of the General Lyceum of Akrotiri – P.EPA.L.

Profitis Ilias Akrotiriou, Chania, P.C. 73100

Telephone: 28210 59855, 28210 20115

Email: [email protected]

With regards,

Public S.A.E.K. Chania