The European Commission has approved a one-year extension of the express visa program for Turkish citizens and their families visiting Greece’s Aegean islands.
The renewed program, effective from April 1, 2025, will allow seven-day visas to be issued directly at the entry points of the islands’ ports.
The initiative, originally launched to boost tourism and strengthen ties between Greece and Turkey, now covers a total of 12 islands. Alongside the previously included islands of Kalymnos, Kastellorizo, Kos, Lesvos, Leros, Limnos, Rhodes, Samos, Symi, and Chios, the program will expand to include Patmos and Samothrace.
The European Commission praised the program’s successful implementation over the past year, highlighting its positive impact on fostering people-to-people connections between the two nations. The express visa scheme has been seen as a practical step toward enhancing cross-border exchanges in the region.
This decision is expected to further support local economies on the islands, which rely heavily on tourism, while offering Turkish visitors a convenient way to explore Greece’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.