TEN Greek islands introduce visa-on-arrival scheme

Ten Greek islands have introduced a new visa-on-arrival scheme specifically for Turkish passport holders.

This special visa scheme is part of an agreement signed in December 2023 between the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The move will help island economies and also enable eased entry for tourist stays on some of Greece’s idyllic islands.

TEN GREEK ISLANDS

At the start of April, Greek authorities introduced the special visa scheme allowing several islands to issue entry visas to arriving visitors.

The scheme allows Turkish nationals to visit Chios, Kos, Lesvos, Rhodes, and Samos islands with visa-on-arrival entries.

Five additional Greek islands joined the express visa scheme on 30 April. These include Leros, Lemnos, Kalymnos, Kastellorizo, and Symi.

VISA-ON-ARRIVAL COST

These visas cost EUR 60 (R 1 200) and are valid for stays of up to seven days.

According to SchengenVisaInfo, the special visas are valid for just one entry.

They are issued at designated ports of entry, at any season during the year.

VISA-ON-ARRIVAL CONDITIONS

Currently, these visas are only available to Turkish passport holders.

As increased tourist numbers help island economies to grow, it is hoped that Greek authorities may consider opening the scheme to other nationalities.

Furthermore, authorities have warned that Turkish tourists cannot use these visas to enter other Schengen countries.

BOOST FOR GREEK ISLAND ECONOMIES

The number of Turkish visitors travelling to the Greek islands has increased significantly following the launch of this visa-on-arrival scheme on 1 April.

Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, and Rhodes have experienced a surge in Turkish tourists following the introduction of visas on arrival.

According to Greek media sources, the five Greek islands hosted 20 690 Turkish citizens during the first ten days of April. 

This is a significant increase from the 5 969 visitors during the same period last year.