Sunday, March 23, 2025 Greece extends its special visa scheme for Turkish tourists, allowing visits to 12 Aegean islands, boosting tourism and strengthening diplomatic ties. A groundbreaking agreement between Greece and Turkey , signed in December 2023 , has opened a new chapter in bilateral relations by introducing a streamlined visa-on-arrival scheme for Turkish citizens and their families. This initiative allows easier access to select Greek islands without requiring full Schengen visa approval, reflecting a broader effort by both nations to ease longstanding tensions and promote regional cooperation.
This visa scheme, which began in March 2024 , enables Turkish nationals to visit ten Greek islands— Rhodes, Kos, Samos, Lesbos, Chios, Leros, Symi, Lemnos, Kalymnos , and Kastelorizo —under a simplified process. Since its launch, the program has proven highly successful, with over 100,000 visit visas issued, significantly boosting cross-border travel and people-to-people connections. Although Greece and Turkey are both NATO allies , their relationship has historically been strained, marred by disputes over Aegean Sea boundaries, airspace rights , and the enduring issue of divided Cyprus .
However, the new visa initiative was part of a broader diplomatic roadmap agreed upon by both countries to foster closer cooperation and mutual understanding. The European Commission has praised the program’s implementation, recognizing its effectiveness in fostering social and cultura.
