By extending a special one-year visa programme for Turkish citizens, Türkiye and Greece have made it easy to reach Rhodes, Samos, Kalymnos, Lesbos and other Aegean islands — a move that supports local tourism and economic development.
The European Commission’s approval of a one-year extension of the special visa programme for Turkish citizens, in force since 1 April 2026, allows Turkish nationals to travel easily to Greece’s Aegean islands, including Rhodes, Samos, Kalymnos and Lesbos. The scheme, which allows seven-day stays with visas issued at the islands’ entry points, is designed to make travel between the two neighbouring countries easier. Beyond boosting tourism, it supports local economies by increasing visitor flows, strengthening cultural ties and encouraging regional cooperation between Türkiye and Greece.
The European Commission’s recent decision to extend the programme marks an important milestone in Greek–Turkish cooperation. Effective from 1 April 2026, it will further strengthen cross-border relations, expand cultural exchange and significantly boost the local economies of several Aegean islands.
A new era of travel between Türkiye and Greece
The one-year extension allows Turkish citizens and their family members to visit 12 selected islands in Greece’s beautiful Aegean region. Visas are issued directly on arrival at designated ports of the participating islands, making entry simple for Turkish travellers. With stays of up to seven days, the scheme is especially suited to people looking for short trips and weekend getaways to some of Greece’s most beautiful and historic islands.
The islands covered include Rhodes, Samos, Kalymnos, Lesbos and others along the eastern Aegean coast, many of them only a short distance from Türkiye. These islands have long been attractive destinations for Turkish tourists, and the simplified visa process will undoubtedly increase visitor numbers, benefiting local tourism and hospitality.
