Greece extends fast-track visa scheme for Turkish tourists for 2nd time

ATHENS

Greece has decided to extend its fast-track visa scheme for Turkish citizens visiting select Aegean islands for the second time amid strong demand and rising tourist numbers.

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zohiu announced that the program, developed in coordination with the European Commission, will continue to offer simplified visa access for Turkish nationals and their families for another year.

The scheme applies to 12 islands in the Aegean Sea: Kos, Lesbos, Rhodes, Samos, Chios, Leros, Limnos, Kalymnos, Meis, Symi, Patmos and Samothrace.

Greece originally launched the program in April 2024 following an agreement signed in December 2023, initially covering a few locations before expanding the program first to 10 and then to 12 Aegean islands.

The scheme was initially extended for one year in March last year following its successful debut.

Authorities say the decision reflects its popularity among Turkish travelers and its positive impact on regional tourism.

According to Türkiye’s Transport and Infrastructure Ministry, approximately total of 1.1 million passengers traveled from Türkiye to the Greek islands last year.

Much of this traffic was driven by the simplified visa-on-arrival process, with the most popular destinations including Kos, Chios, Rhodes and Lesbos.

The fast-track visa allows Turkish tourists to visit the designated islands without obtaining a full Schengen visa, though access remains limited to the islands covered under the scheme rather than the entire Schengen area.