Greece to Increase Schengen Visas for Turkish Travelers in 2025

With Turkish demand for Greek Schengen visas growing each year, Greek authorities have decided to increase the number of visas issued in 2025.

The Greek Consulate in Istanbul has announced plans to surpass 200,000 visas for Turkish nationals.

As per General Consul Konstantinos Kutras, tourism between Greece and Türkiye continues to set new records annually, with 2025 projected to be another strong year for travel.

"Every year, we break the previous year’s record. I predict that 2025 will be another milestone year," he stated.

Expanded Multi-Entry Visa Access for Turkish Travelers

As part of its efforts to accommodate increasing demand, a significant portion of the visas planned for 2025 will be multi-entry visas, that will allow Turkish travelers greater flexibility for repeated visits.

Recent visa application statistics clearly show the extensive demand. In 2023 alone, Turkish nationals submitted over one million Schengen visa applications, with 24.1% directed toward Greece, making Turkish citizens the largest group applying for Greek Schengen visas.

The Greek Consulate in Istanbul received 60% of all Greek Schengen visa applications from Turkish travellers, processing 152,778 visa requests in 2023 out of a total of 254,377 applications filed across the country.

Other major consulates also handled significant numbers:

• Izmir: 63,359 applications
• Edirne: 29,414 applications
• Ankara: 8,826 applications

This rise in applications has prompted Greek authorities to expand multi-entry visa issuance, ensuring Turkish visitors can travel more conveniently while supporting Greece’s tourism sector.

Visa Policy Changes Leading to Tourism Growth

In 2024, Greece introduced a visa-on-arrival program for Turkish tourists. The €60 visa allows a seven-day stay in select Greek islands, attracting more Turkish visitors eager to explore Greece’s diverse travel destinations.

As travel demand between the two countries grows, these visa measures are set to enhance cross-border tourism, boost local economies, and foster stronger cultural connections between Greece and Türkiye.