Greece Extends Fast-Track Visa for Turkish Tourists Until April 2026

Key Highlights:

1. Greece has extended its visa-on-arrival program for Turkish tourists for another year.
2. Under this extension, Turkish visitors can continue traveling to select Greek islands with a visa issued upon arrival until April 2026.
3. The initiative aims to strengthen bilateral relations and boost tourism between Greece and Türkiye.

Greece Extends Visa-On-Arrival Scheme for Turkish Tourists Until 2026

The European Commission has officially extended Greece’s visa-on-arrival scheme for Turkish nationals, allowing them to visit specific Greek islands until April 2026.

Set to take effect on April 1, 2025, the decision is anticipated to drive a significant influx of Turkish tourists. Insider reports that the European Commission views this program as a positive step in fostering stronger ties between the two nations.

Ongoing Efforts to Maintain the Visa-On-Arrival Program

The visa-on-arrival scheme permits Turkish nationals to stay for short-term visits ranging from one to seven days on 12 Greek islands.

This program, which simplifies entry compared to the standard Schengen visa process, enables Turkish visitors to receive their visas upon arrival at designated ports. The eligible Greek islands include:

• Kalymnos
• Kastellorizo
• Kos
• Lesbos (Lesvos)
• Leros
• Limnos
• Rhodes
• Samos
• Symi
• Chios (Hios)
• Patmos
• Samothrace

Greece first implemented the program on April 1, 2024, following a bilateral agreement between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Greek authorities have since worked to ensure the continuation of this initiative.

Over 100,000 Express Visas Issued in a Year

According to Greece’s Minister of Shipping, Christos Stylianidis, over 100,000 express visas were granted to Turkish tourists from April to November 2024. He described the program as a resounding success, highlighting its positive impact on tourism.

During the peak summer season, approximately 400,000 Turkish tourists visited the Greek islands. Data from the General Police Directorate of the North Aegean indicated that, as of August 2024, over 54,373 visas had been issued across just three Northeast Aegean islands.

"Greece and Turkey are not just neighbors; we are partners, particularly in the maritime sector. Both countries have established a strong and productive collaboration within the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and have supported each other on multiple occasions."
— Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Christos Stylianidis

Over 1 Million Turkish Tourists Visited Greece in 2024

In 2024, a record-breaking 1,153,727 Turkish tourists traveled to the Greek islands via 8,629 ferry routes—a staggering 93% increase compared to 2023. The visa-on-arrival scheme played a crucial role in this surge.

Turkish media have widely discussed the impact of this trend, with some reports stating, “We made Greece rich” and “We have contributed to Greece’s tourism economy by ten percent.”

The continued success of this initiative underscores its importance in fostering cross-border tourism and economic cooperation between Greece and Türkiye.