Key Takeaways
• Over 1.15 million Turkish tourists visited Greek islands in 2024 through the visa-on-arrival scheme—a 93% jump from 2023.
• Rhodes Island received more than 72,000 Turkish tourists in early 2025, with expectations to double arrivals by summer.
• Visa-on-arrival allows seven-day stays for €60, applies to twelve Aegean islands but not the Greek mainland or Schengen area.
The ongoing story of Turkish tourists flooding Rhodes Island is much more than a travel trend; it’s reshaping relationships, local economies, and the travel industry across the region. Since the launch of Greece’s visa-on-arrival scheme for Turkish citizens, new doors have opened for both countries and especially for the many travelers eager to explore the beautiful Greek islands just off their coast.
How the Visa-on-Arrival Scheme Began and Evolved
In April 2024, Greece 🇬🇷 began a visa-on-arrival scheme tailored for Turkish citizens. This move made it much easier for people in Turkey 🇹🇷 to visit some of the nearest Greek islands, such as Rhodes Island and Kos. Instead of having to go through the full process of getting a Schengen visa, Turkish visitors could now pay 60 euros at the border to get a visa allowing them to stay for seven days. This visa is good for a short trip and makes things much simpler for anyone who wants a quick getaway or holiday.
The success of the original program was clear very quickly. Not only did the number of Turkish tourists rise, but the interest spread beyond just the first five islands that were covered at first. Starting with Rhodes, Kos, Lesvos (Lesbos), Samos, and Chios (Hios), the program soon grew to cover a total of twelve Aegean islands. The full list now includes:
- Rhodes
- Kos
- Lesvos (Lesbos)
- Samos
- Chios (Hios)
- Kalymnos
- Kastellorizo
- Leros
- Limnos
- Symi
- Patmos
- Samothrace
It’s important to remember that this visa can only be used for visiting these islands and not for travel to the rest of Greece 🇬🇷 or the wider Schengen area. It is clear and simple: you apply when you arrive, pay the fee, and then you’re free to enjoy up to a week on your chosen island, but you can’t travel from there to another country.
The Immediate Impact: Rhodes Island at the Center
Of all the islands, Rhodes Island has quickly become the leading destination in this cross-border travel boom. The numbers tell a striking story:
- More than 72,000 Turkish tourists visited Rhodes from the Turkish port of Marmaris in just the first four months of 2025.
- In 2024, anywhere from 8,000 to 16,000 Turkish visitors used the visa-on-arrival scheme to reach Rhodes, showing just how quickly the numbers are climbing.
- The Rhodes Hotel Association expects the number of Turkish travelers to double in the summer of 2025.
These figures are more than just numbers—they represent real impacts for the island. Hotels are filling up. Restaurants are seeing more business. Shops are busy. The port of Rhodes, which is the main point of entry for these travelers, has had to focus on upgrading its facilities to handle the crowds, with local officials meeting specifically about these issues. This growth means more money coming into Rhodes but also brings challenges like making sure services can keep up with the demand.
Changing the Face of Greek Tourism
This rush of visitors from Turkey 🇹🇷 isn’t just changing Rhodes—it’s changing tourism all over the Greek islands involved in the program. The statistics for 2024 and early 2025 show a true leap in numbers:
- In all, 1,153,727 Turkish nationals visited the Greek islands in 2024 using the visa-on-arrival scheme, which is a 93% jump compared to 2023.
- Ferry routes between Turkey and these Greek islands became busier than ever, with 8,629 ferry journeys recorded between the two countries.
- The Greek Consulate General in Istanbul expects that over 200,000 visas will be given to Turkish travelers just in 2025.
This program isn’t only boosting the number of people crossing the border for short trips. There is a real increase in longer stays. More than 82% of Turkish tourists using this visa are staying for three days or even longer. This shows they want to experience more than just a quick visit: they’re exploring, eating, shopping, and really getting to know these islands.
Why Is Rhodes Island So Popular?
Rhodes Island stands out not only because of its beauty but also because of how easy it is to get there from Turkey. The ferry route between Marmaris in Turkey 🇹🇷 and Rhodes is fast and simple. For many Turkish tourists, this means they can enjoy a taste of Greek culture, food, and history without having to take a plane or face a complex visa process.
When the visa-on-arrival scheme was expanded to cover more islands, other spots like Kos, Lesvos, and Samos started to see higher visitor numbers too. But Rhodes remains the top draw, likely because it is familiar, easy to reach, and offers a wide range of things to do—from relaxing by the sea to exploring ancient ruins.
Economic Growth and Local Business Benefits
Local businesses in Rhodes and other islands are seeing big rewards from the tourist surge. Hotels have higher occupancy rates, even in times of year when things might have been slower before. Restaurants and cafes meet more diners. Shops and markets have more customers, and many tour operators report a jump in bookings for guided tours, excursions, and boat trips.
This is more than a seasonal spike; as more Turkish tourists return to these islands year after year, they become regular customers. Many also travel outside the traditional high season, helping local economies all year round.
According to VisaVerge.com, Greek tourism officials say the visa-on-arrival program is not just about making travel easier; it’s turned into a reliable way to bring new energy and fresh spending to parts of Greece that depend on tourism.
Deeper Cultural Ties and Shared Benefits
Beyond the business side, this visa-on-arrival scheme is reshaping how people in Greece 🇬🇷 and Turkey 🇹🇷 see and connect with each other. With more Turkish tourists spending time on Greek islands, there are more chances for real personal interactions. Travelers learn about Greek customs, enjoy local foods, and take part in community events. In return, people living on the islands meet neighbors from across the water and share aspects of their own traditions.
Both governments now see tourism not only as a way to boost their economies but also to encourage friendship and deeper understanding between the two countries. This approach seems to be helping calm some of the tensions that have long existed in the region, especially as ordinary people discover more in common through simple, everyday experiences.
Greece Among the World’s Top Destinations
The increase in Turkish tourists comes as part of a wider wave of enthusiasm for visiting Greece 🇬🇷 as a whole. According to recent figures:
- Greece is now one of the top five most popular destinations worldwide for travelers in 2025.
- Summer bookings throughout the country are up by 8% compared to the previous year.
- Rhodes alone leads the pack with a 15% jump in online bookings, while Crete also saw a notable 10% rise.
This uptick in arrivals supports not only hotels and ferry companies but also many small local businesses that rely on steady foot traffic for their survival.
How the Visa Scheme Affects Different Groups
For Turkish tourists, the visa-on-arrival scheme is a major improvement. It removes the long, often uncertain process of applying for a full Schengen visa, which could involve a lot of paperwork, waiting, and extra costs. With the new system, they can decide to visit on shorter notice. This opens up travel to a wider group of people, not just those with the time and money to plan far ahead.
For local residents on the Greek islands, there’s a big boost to the economy. At the same time, this sharp increase in tourists means that governments and businesses must invest more in infrastructure—such as improving ports, roads, and public facilities—to make sure the visitor experience stays positive.
For tour operators and the ferry companies that run the crossings, this is also a period of growth. The rise in the number of ferry routes and daily crossings means they need to hire more staff, upgrade their vessels, and work closely with officials to make sure everything runs smoothly.
The Ongoing Expansion: Looking Ahead
Greece’s decision to keep the visa-on-arrival scheme running until at least April 2026 shows just how successful it has been so far. It means there’s no end in sight for the stream of Turkish tourists heading for Rhodes Island and other nearby destinations. The steady growth also suggests that local businesses and government offices are keen to keep the program in place and possibly even expand it to more islands in the future.
The scheme’s impact can be seen in the way both sides now view tourism: not as just a source of income, but as a bridge for practical, everyday people-to-people contact. Fields like hospitality, retail, and food services are leading the way in making these closer ties a reality.
Clear Rules and Easy Access
For anyone considering taking advantage of this program, the steps are fairly simple:
- Turkish tourists select one of the eligible Greek islands as their destination.
- No need to apply for a Schengen visa in advance; instead, travelers receive a single-entry visa-on-arrival for 60 euros.
- The visa allows a seven-day stay and is available all year round.
- The visa is valid only for the specific islands—it does not cover mainland Greece or onward Schengen travel.
Up-to-date information about the visa-on-arrival policy, requirements, and changes can be found through official sources like the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ webpage on short-stay visa policy.
Some Limitations and Key Facts
While the scheme has many benefits, there are some limitations to keep in mind. The visa is meant for tourism, so it cannot be used for work or study. Travelers who want to spend more time or visit other Schengen countries still need to apply for the proper visa in advance. In addition, only the twelve listed islands are covered at this time.
But for many, these limits are not a problem. The idea is to make it fast and simple for Turkish tourists to enjoy a short, worry-free visit to Greece 🇬🇷, with Rhodes Island continuing to be one of the top choices for these excursions.
The Big Picture: A Model for Regional Tourism
The ongoing success of Greece’s visa-on-arrival scheme is now considered a landmark move for boosting regional travel. Other countries in the area, and even beyond, are looking at this model to see if it can work for them—a sign of just how effective the program has been.
By focusing on simple rules, clear choices for destinations, and a straightforward fee, Greece has created a system that benefits everyone involved. Turkish tourists get quick access to some of the Mediterranean’s prettiest islands, while local businesses in places like Rhodes see their fortunes rising with every new ferry from Turkey 🇹🇷.
Summary and Next Steps
The visa-on-arrival scheme has done more than just move numbers up on the tourism charts. It has helped bridge real-life gaps between two neighbors, supporting business, culture, and daily life on both sides. The picture for the future is very bright: more Turkish tourists, new friendships, and stronger economies, especially for favorite spots like Rhodes Island.
As Greece 🇬🇷 looks to keep the program in place until at least 2026, we can expect these trends to continue and possibly even grow. Travelers, local business owners, and even government officials are all set to benefit.
For any Turkish tourist thinking about a trip to an Aegean island, there has never been a better or simpler time to go. For those studying travel or immigration trends, the growth of this visa-on-arrival scheme is a story worth following closely—one that could shape more border policies around the world.
Learn Today
Visa-on-arrival scheme → A system allowing travelers to obtain a visa at their destination’s border, simplifying and speeding up entry for short visits.
Schengen visa → A visa permitting travel across multiple European countries under the Schengen Agreement, requiring a more complex application process.
Aegean islands → A group of Greek islands located in the Aegean Sea, popular travel destinations close to Turkey’s coast.
Single-entry visa → A visa type allowing one entry to a country or region within its validity period; no re-entry after leaving.
Ferry routes → Regular boat services for passengers and vehicles between ports, crucial for travel between Turkey and Greek islands.
This Article in a Nutshell
The visa-on-arrival scheme, launched in April 2024, is transforming Greek tourism. Over a million Turkish travelers now visit twelve Aegean islands with ease and affordability. Rhodes Island leads the boom, benefitting local businesses and fostering Greece-Turkey connections, while setting a regional example for tourism cooperation and economic growth.
— By VisaVerge.com
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