Greek Islands Express Visa 2026–2027 Guide

Short answer: Turkish citizens can visit 12 Greek islands in the Aegean with an express visa (also called a gate visa / visa on arrival) without a Schengen visa. The visa is issued at the port on arrival and is valid for up to 7 days. According to the official text from Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the programme was renewed for one year from 31 March 2026; extensions and the exact end date may change. We recommend confirming the latest information with official sources. You cannot apply as an individual; the process runs through the authorised operator that runs the ferry sailing.

Below we cover which islands are included, documents that are commonly requested, how long you can stay, and what this visa does not allow.

The information in this article was checked against official sources on 29 October 2026. Rules can change; before you travel, confirm the current situation with the operator handling your application and with official sources.

What is the express visa, and who can use it?

The express visa is a temporary short-stay visa programme that Greece runs with European Commission approval. It is designed for Turkish citizens and family members travelling with them. It began on 30 March 2024 on Chios, Kos, Lesvos, Rhodes and Samos, then expanded to more islands. An extension was announced for the first time in 2025, and a second time in March 2026.

The aim is clear: someone who wants to cross by ferry from the Turkish coast can take a short island break without entering a months-long Schengen appointment process. The visa does not replace a Schengen visa; it is only for a short visit to the island.

Which islands does the express visa cover? (12 islands)

The list in Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement of 31 March 2026 is:

Some foreign news sites still circulate older 10-island lists; the official announcement also includes Patmos and Samothraki. Cyclades and Crete destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos and Crete are outside the programme. Those require a Schengen visa.

Being on the list does not mean there is a ferry from every port every day. Sailings change with the season; in winter some routes may run less often or pause.

How do you get the express visa?

You do not go to a consulate or visa centre. The process works like this:

1. Choose the island and your dates. Departure and return dates must be fixed. Applications with open return tickets are generally not accepted.
2. Book your ferry ticket and hotel. The ferry operator on that route or an authorised travel agency collects the application. You cannot apply directly to Greek authorities as an individual.
3. Submit documents on time. In practice reported in the press, documents are asked for at least 5 days before travel. In summer, starting earlier makes things easier.
4. Collect your visa at the port. The visa is issued at the island’s entry point by Greek authorities. Passport control and the visa decision sit entirely with the Greek police; the operator that took your application cannot override that decision.

Documents for the express visa

Greek authorities have not published an official document checklist specifically for the express visa in Turkish. What follows is not an official list; these are documents commonly requested by operators that handle applications and in practices reported in the press. Requirements can vary by operator. We recommend confirming the latest information with official sources.

• Passport: Must have been issued within the last 10 years. Under the Schengen rule cited by Greece’s Consulate General in Izmir, it should remain valid for at least 3 months after you leave the island; some operators ask for 6 months. The safest option is a passport valid for at least 6 months.
• 2 biometric photos
• Photocopy of national ID card
• Photocopy of the passport
• Hotel reservation: In the travellers’ names and covering the stay dates.
• Round-trip ferry ticket: Dates must be fixed.
• Travel medical insurance: A policy at the minimum cover level required under Schengen rules.
• Bank statement for the last 3 months: Expected to show a balance that can cover trip costs.
• Signed application form: Provided by the operator handling the application.

Extra documents such as a parental consent letter may be asked for children; check with the operator you apply through.

Note: Applications from people with a Northern Cyprus (TRNC) entry stamp in their passport, and from people who previously had a Schengen visa refused, are reported as not accepted. That information comes from news covering practice, not from an official Greek document; if this applies to you, ask the operator before you apply.

How long is the express visa valid?

The visa is issued for a maximum of 7 days. In practice that means 6 nights and 7 days. According to Euronews, a visa valid for between 1 and 7 days is issued for each island visit; the length follows your ticket and hotel dates.

It is single-entry. When you leave the island, the visa ends. If you want to go again the same summer, you need to apply again. We did not find an official annual limit on how many times you can apply (unverified).

How long does the programme run?

According to the official text from Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission approved renewing the programme for one year from 31 March 2026. Press coverage often describes this as “until April 2027”; the official text does not separately state an exact end day. Extension decisions and dates may change. We recommend confirming the latest information with official sources.

The next period is not yet clear. So far, extensions have been announced around the end of March each year, but there is no published decision for a further extension. We will update this article when a decision is announced. If you are planning for spring 2027, check the latest status before locking dates around late March–early April.

What can you not do with the express visa?

This is the part people confuse most:

• You cannot go to the mainland. Athens, Thessaloniki or any other part of Greece is not allowed on this visa.
• You cannot enter another Schengen country. Flying from the island to Italy or Germany is not possible.
• Whether it is valid on all 12 islands, or only on the island you entered, is unclear. The list has 12 islands, but we do not have a clear official statement on whether the visa allows free movement among them or is issued only for the island of the entry port. Before planning island-hopping such as a day boat from Rhodes to Symi or from Kos to Leros, ask the operator you apply through and Greek authorities. We recommend confirming the latest information with official sources.
• You cannot enter by air. The programme applies at designated ports for passengers arriving by sea from Turkey.
• You cannot extend the stay. For more than 7 days you need a Schengen visa.

If you already hold a valid Schengen visa, you do not need the express visa; you pass through normal passport control.

Tips that make the process easier

• Book early in summer. Search interest in the express visa rises in March and peaks in July. As demand grows, ferry and hotel options shrink.
• Watch public-holiday dates. Demand rises over long holidays; ferries and hotels fill earlier, and documents need to be ready earlier too.
• Carry originals and copies. Hotel booking and insurance may be asked for again at the port.
• Sit near the exit on the ferry. Visa processing at the port can take time; getting off early shortens the wait.
• Do not forget Turkey’s overseas departure tax. It is separate from the visa process and must be paid before you leave Turkey.
• If you book a tour, check the visa line item. On tour programmes the express visa is often listed under exclusions; clarify how the process will work on the tour page or when you book.

Island tours with express-visa option

If you prefer not to arrange transport, hotel and programme separately, browse ALYS Tours’ Greek island tours. All options are on the Greece tours page. Examples for short breaks:

• Prime Rhodes Tour 2 Nights 3 Days | Express Visa Option
• Prime Samos Tour 2 Nights 3 Days | Express Visa Option
• Prime Kos Tour 2 Nights 3 Days | Express Visa Option
• Prime Chios Tour 2 Nights 3 Days | Express Visa Option

Tour dates and current conditions are on each tour page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Greek islands express visa continuing in 2026?

According to the official text, the programme was renewed for one year from 31 March 2026. Press coverage often says until April 2027; the exact end day and later extensions may change. We recommend confirming the latest information with official sources.

Which islands can you visit with the express visa?

Twelve islands: Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Limnos, Samothraki, Kos, Rhodes, Leros, Kalymnos, Kastellorizo, Symi and Patmos.

How long is the express visa valid?

Up to 7 days. The length follows the dates on your ticket and hotel booking.

How many days in advance should you apply?

In practice reported in the press, documents are asked for at least 5 days beforehand. Applying earlier in summer is safer.

Can I go to Athens or another island on the express visa?

Travel to the mainland or another Schengen country is not allowed on this visa. There are 12 islands on the list, but whether the visa is valid on all of them or only on the island you entered is unclear. If you plan island-hopping, ask the operator before you apply. We recommend confirming the latest information with official sources.

Can I apply for the express visa as an individual?

You cannot apply directly to Greek authorities as an individual. The application runs through the ferry operator or an authorised travel agency.

I have a Northern Cyprus (TRNC) stamp in my passport — can I get the express visa?

According to news reports, applications with a TRNC-stamped passport are not accepted. There is no official statement we found, so ask the operator about your situation before you apply.