Two years after the launch of the highly successful visa express scheme allowing fast-track entry for Turkish citizens to several eastern Aegean islands Athens this week announced that the program has been extended for another year, until April 2027.
The program, covering 12 islands including Chios, Rhodes, Kos, Lesbos and Samos, simplifies visa procedures by issuing short-stay permits (up to seven days) at island entry points. Introduced in April 2024 with approval from the European Commission, it aims to benefit local island economies through tourism.
The impact has been significant. For instance, more than one million Turkish visitors traveled to participating islands by ferry in 2025, with Chios (Hios), Rhodes and Kos emerging as the most popular destinations for Turkish citizens. Local businesses have reported increased demand, even during winter months.
Turkish buyers are pouring money into Greek property as high inflation at home pushes investors to seek stability and EU residency through Greece’s Golden Visa program.
Tourism officials highlight proximity as a key factor.
For example, Chios lies just a short ferryboat distance from Izmir, attracting large numbers of short-term visitors, particularly on weekends. The scheme has also become more appealing as high inflation and currency depreciation in Turkey push consumers in the country to close foreign destination to shop and travel, taking advantage of lower prices in many cases.
However, the rollout has not been uniform. On Lemnos, the program has yet to function in practice due to the absence of an operational entry gate and ferry connections. Distance from the Turkish coast also limits same-day travel potential.
Other islands are seeing gradual improvements. Patmos, which joined the program later, is now experiencing increased visitor flows, mainly for day trips via regular ferry links with Kusadasi. Local authorities expect longer stays in the, though they note the need for better on-the-ground organization, particularly to reduce waiting times at entry points.
Overall, the Visa Express initiative is emerging as a key driver of cross-border tourism and local economic activity in the Aegean, despite some logistical gaps.
