How the visa program worksThe program, dubbed Visa Express, has been in place since 2024 and was recently extended until April 2027. It covers 12 islands in the Eastern Aegean and Dodecanese: Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, Rhodes, Limnos, Leros, Kalymnos, Symi, Kastellorizo, Patmos and Samothraki. Flows of Turkish visitors to Greece have increased fivefold compared with 2023. Why are Turkish travelers choosing GreeceA recent article in the Turkish newspaper Nefes examined why Turkish travelers are increasingly opting for Greek islands over domestic alternatives. It also cited high inflation in Turkey, which has made Turkish coastal resorts less affordable for many Turkish travelers relative to nearby Greek destinations.