Greece to Increase Visa Issuance for Turkish Nationals
The Greek Consulate has announced plans to significantly increase the number of visas issued to Turkish nationals. This initiative aims to boost tourism and strengthen ties between Greece and Türkiye.
The Consulate General in Istanbul, the largest Greek consulate in Türkiye, processes the highest number of visa applications from Turkish applicants. In 2023, it received approximately 152,778 applications, accounting for 60 per cent of all Greek visa applications from Türkiye. Due to the growing demand, Greek authorities are planning to issue more than 200,000 visas in 2025.
Multi-Entry Visas for Turkish Applicants
Konstantinos Kutras, the Greek Consul General in Istanbul, stated that a significant portion of the visas to be issued will be multi-entry visas, making travel more convenient for Turkish visitors. He also emphasized Greece’s appeal as a winter tourism destination and predicted that 2025 would set new tourism records.
In 2023, Turkish nationals filed over one million Schengen visa applications, with Greece receiving 24.1 per cent of them. After Istanbul, the Greek consulate in Izmir was the second most popular, processing 63,359 applications, followed by Edirne with 29,414 and Ankara with 8,826.
Visa Initiatives to Enhance Tourism
Greece has also introduced a special visa program for Turkish tourists, allowing entry to select Greek ports for a fee of €60. These visas on arrival permit a stay of up to seven days but do not grant access to other Schengen countries. The initiative has led to a surge in Turkish tourists visiting Greece, with a projected 50 per cent increase in arrivals in 2024.
At the same time, Greece has become an increasingly popular destination for Turkish travelers, and the number of Greek tourists visiting Türkiye is also rising. Major Turkish cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Bodrum continue to attract Greek visitors, reflecting the growing travel exchange between the two nations.
With these measures, both countries anticipate stronger tourism and improved bilateral relations in the coming years.
