Greece Extends Visa-on-Arrival Scheme for Turkish Tourists Until 2026
Greece Extends Visa-on-Arrival Scheme for Turkish Tourists Until 2026
Key Takeaways:
- Greece's visa-on-arrival scheme for Turkish nationals visiting certain islands has been extended until April 2026.
- Turkish tourists can continue to benefit from the program, which allows them to obtain a visa upon arrival.
- This move is expected to further strengthen ties between Greece and Turkey.
Greece has officially extended its visa-on-arrival program for Turkish nationals, enabling them to visit 12 popular Greek islands without needing a traditional visa. The extension, confirmed by the European Commission, will be in place until April 2026, and is set to go into effect on April 1, 2025.
What’s New with the Program?
Introduced in 2024, the scheme allows Turkish citizens to visit the Greek islands for short stays ranging from one to seven days. Turkish travelers can obtain their visa directly upon arrival at designated ports—making the process quicker and more convenient than applying for a standard Schengen visa.
The European Commission has expressed approval of the program, emphasizing its positive impact on enhancing the relationship between Greece and Turkey. The program is seen as a key initiative for increasing bilateral ties, especially in terms of tourism and people-to-people connections.
Greek Islands Eligible for the Scheme
Turkish nationals can visit the following islands under the visa-on-arrival initiative:
- Kalymnos
- Kastellorizo
- Kos
- Lesbos (Lesvos)
- Leros
- Limnos
- Rhodes
- Samos
- Symi
- Chios (Hios)
- Patmos
- Samothrace
These islands have become popular destinations for Turkish tourists due to the ease and speed of obtaining a visa upon arrival.
The Success of the Scheme
Since its launch on April 1, 2024, the program has been highly successful. Over 100,000 express visas were issued to Turkish tourists between April and November 2024 alone. The program has also seen an increase in the number of Turkish tourists visiting the Greek islands, with about 400,000 tourists arriving in Greece during the summer months.
Christos Stylianidis, Greece's Minister of Shipping, highlighted the program's economic benefits, noting that it has been particularly impactful in the Northeast Aegean, where 54,373 visas were issued by the end of August 2024.
Record-Breaking Numbers of Turkish Tourists
The initiative has contributed to a significant rise in Turkish tourism to Greece. In 2024, a total of 1.15 million Turkish visitors traveled to the Greek islands, a remarkable increase of 93% compared to 2023. The visa-on-arrival scheme played a pivotal role in this surge, making it easier for Turkish tourists to explore Greece’s islands.
Locally in Turkey, there has been considerable discussion around the program’s success, with some joking that "We made Greece rich," referring to the economic boost from the increasing number of Turkish visitors.
Strengthening Greece-Turkey Relations
Beyond tourism, Greece and Turkey share important economic and diplomatic ties. As Minister Stylianidis pointed out, the two countries are not just neighbors, but also close partners in sectors like shipping and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This collaboration has continued to grow in recent years, with both nations supporting one another on various international platforms.
The extension of the visa-on-arrival program is viewed as another step in fostering positive and productive relations between the two countries.
For further details on this visa program, visit the Schengen News article or check out additional coverage from Insider.
