Pythagorion port is seen with colorful houses and the Aegean Sea on Samos island, Greece. (Adobe Stock)
March 31, 2026 04:29 PM GMT+03:00
Greece has extended its “express visa” program for Turkish citizens and their families for one more year, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday. The express visa program, which covers 12 Aegean islands, will start on April 1.
Greek Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zohiu made the announcement during a regular briefing, saying the decision was reached following coordination with the European Commission (EC) to facilitate visa access for Turkish nationals and their families traveling to the Aegean islands.
The short-stay visas are valid for seven days and are issued upon arrival at island ports, with no prior application required.
How the program began
Greece launched the express visa program in April 2024. The number of eligible islands was later expanded, first to 10 and then to 12. The program was extended for one year in March 2025. This latest decision marks the second consecutive renewal.
The program has coincided with a significant increase in cross-Aegean travel. According to Türkiye’s Transport and Infrastructure Ministry, over 1.1 million Turkish travelers visited Greek islands by ferry in 2025. Demand peaked in August with 280,693 travelers, followed by 233,044 in July and 188,515 in September. Officials attribute much of this growth to the visa program.
Kos was the most popular destination for Turkish visitors, primarily due to its proximity to Bodrum and frequent daily crossings. Chios and Rhodes were also top choices. Major departure ports in Türkiye included Bodrum, Cesme, Kusadasi, and Ayvalik.
Islands in the program
The program applies to Kalymnos, Kastellorizo, Kos, Lesbos, Leros, Lemnos, Rhodes, Samos, Symi, Chios, Patmos, and Samothrace.
March 31, 2026 04:29 PM GMT+03:00