Greece’s Island Visa Scheme Boosts Turkish Tourism and Cooperation
Greece’s Island Visa Scheme Boosts Turkish Tourism and Cooperation
Why in the News ?
The Greece–Türkiye visa-on-arrival (“Door Visa”) scheme has significantly increased Turkish tourist arrivals to Greek islands, strengthening people-to-people ties, boosting local economies, and demonstrating how tourism can foster cooperation despite long-standing geopolitical differences between the two neighbours.
Greece’s Visa-on-Arrival Scheme: Key Features
- Greece introduced a Visa-on-Arrival (Door Visa/Kapi Vizesi) scheme in April 2024 to facilitate travel for Turkish citizens to selected Greek Aegean Islands.
- Initially covering 10 islands, the programme was later expanded to 12 islands, including Samos, Rhodes, Chios, and Kos.
- The scheme allows Turkish citizens to stay on participating islands for up to seven days without obtaining a Schengen Visa in advance.
- The visa is restricted to the participating islands, cannot be extended, and does not permit travel to mainland Greece or other Schengen countries.
- The initiative has simplified travel for Turkish tourists facing increasing difficulties in obtaining regular Schengen visas, making short international trips faster and more affordable.
Economic and Diplomatic Significance
- The programme has significantly increased tourism from Türkiye, with nearly 1.5 million Turkish visitors travelling to Greece in 2025, compared to 1.2 million in 2024.
- Rising inflation in Türkiye has made domestic holidays more expensive, encouraging travellers to choose nearby Greek islands as affordable alternatives.
- Turkish tourists have become an important source of revenue for local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, shops, and transport operators, especially on islands such as Samos.
- The scheme has strengthened people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, and tourism-based cooperation between Greece and Türkiye.
- Despite ongoing disputes over the Aegean Sea, maritime boundaries, and minority issues, the visa programme demonstrates that economic and tourism cooperation can continue alongside diplomatic engagement.
About Schengen Area and Greece–Türkiye Relations:● Schengen Area: ○ A border-free travel zone comprising most European Union (EU) countries and a few associated states. ○ Enables passport-free movement among participating members through a common visa policy. ● Visa-on-Arrival (VoA): ○ A travel facility where eligible visitors obtain a visa upon arrival instead of applying before departure. ○ Usually limited by duration, purpose of visit, and geographical scope. ● Greece–Türkiye Relations: ○ Both countries are NATO members but have long-standing disputes over: ■ Aegean Sea maritime boundaries ■ Airspace claims ■ Cyprus issue ■ Eastern Mediterranean energy resources ○ Despite political differences, both countries continue cooperation in trade, tourism, migration management, and disaster relief. |