Turkey and Greece sign tourism cooperation agreement to stimulate transnational tourism travel
In a significant stride towards strengthening bilateral ties, Turkey and Greece have signed a new tourism cooperation protocol. The agreement, formalized at the 6th Joint Tourism Committee Meeting held in Ankara, aims to make long-term travel between the two countries more attractive, thereby boosting tourist flows and fostering economic growth.
The current visa policies reflect efforts to facilitate tourism and strengthen bilateral relations. For Turkish tourists visiting Greece, Greece has reintroduced and expanded a visa-on-arrival program for citizens visiting ten Greek islands, particularly in the Northeastern Aegean and Dodecanese regions. This "visa express" program allows short-term visits (1-7 days), simplifying and speeding up the traditional Schengen visa process. Turkish travelers also benefit from faster and more efficient visa processing, increased availability of multiple-entry visas, and proposals for group-based visa exemptions.
Greece, being part of the Schengen zone, requires a visa for Turkish citizens. However, Turkey offers various visa types, including tourist e-visas usually valid for 30-90 days, with fees generally ranging from $15 to $80 depending on nationality. Turkey accepts travelers with Schengen visas under certain conditions, facilitating travel for Greek tourists and other Schengen passport holders.
The recent cooperation between Turkey and Greece is not limited to visa policies. In July 2025, the two countries signed a protocol to boost tourism cooperation, focusing on niche areas like rural/agro-tourism and maritime tourism. The expansion of the visa-on-arrival system and the visa express program is identified as a key benefit, encouraging more Turkish tourists to visit Greek islands and vice versa, thus supporting local economies and cultural exchange.
Both countries are working to improve transport connections and increase ferry routes to ease travel and support tourism growth between their territories. The development of joint routes and certification systems is expected to enhance the overall tourist experience, while the protocol promotes greater private sector engagement in promotional and marketing activities.
The benefits of this enhanced cooperation are manifold. Increased tourist flows will boost visitor numbers, particularly to Greek islands close to Turkey and vice versa. Diversification into rural and maritime tourism can invigorate local economies on both sides by attracting tourists to less-explored regions. The enhanced travel comfort, more cooperation in tourism niches, and better connectivity contribute to deeper bilateral relations, supporting regional development by promoting agrotourism and maritime activities.
In summary, expanded visa access via programs like visa-on-arrival and visa express for Turkish citizens visiting Greece, coupled with Turkey’s e-visa policies, are facilitating easier travel and stronger tourism cooperation. These measures are poised to create mutual economic benefits and deepen cultural ties between the two neighboring countries.
- The visa-on-arrival program for Turkish tourists visiting Greece, particularly in regions like the Northeastern Aegean and Dodecanese, has been reintroduced and expanded, making it easier for them to travel and boosting cultural exchange.
- Greece has implemented a more efficient visa process for Turkish travelers, offering faster and more efficient visa processing, increased availability of multiple-entry visas, and proposals for group-based visa exemptions.
- In July 2025, Turkey and Greece signed a tourism cooperation protocol focusing on niche areas like rural/agro-tourism and maritime tourism, which can attract tourists to less-explored regions and invigorate local economies in both countries.
- Both countries are working to improve transport connections by increasing ferry routes and developing joint routes and certification systems, enhancing the overall tourist experience for travelers between Turkey and Greece.
