Semadirek: 14-year customs closure blocks Turkish tourists despite express visa scheme

Although Semadirek was included in Greece’s Express Visa scheme (7-day visa) as of April 2025, Turkish tourists still cannot take advantage of the program due to the island’s inoperative customs office, which has remained closed for 14 years.

The Express Visa, or “visa express,” allows Turkish citizens to travel directly to select Greek islands and stay for up to seven days, aiming to boost tourism and regional economies.

While the policy officially applies to Samothraki for the first time, the required infrastructure is missing. The customs facility exists physically but has no staff to operate it, rendering the entire pilot program inapplicable on the island.

Broader Impact
This logistical shortfall has drawn criticism from local officials and residents alike, who stress that this isn't merely a tourism issue but one with serious economic repercussions. The direct ferry route from Türkiye to Semadirek is technically feasible, but without a functioning customs post, it cannot be used legally.

“We have the infrastructure, the ferry connection, and now even the visa approval — what we don’t have is the political will to assign even one customs officer,”
said local official Fotis Foteinos, speaking also about broader infrastructure issues on the island.

Additional Challenges
Foteinos also pointed to other persistent issues, including:

• Shortage of Coast Guard vessels, impacting maritime security and ferry operations
• Severe gaps in healthcare services, which are under-resourced and understaffed
• These deficiencies, he said, are hampering the island’s ability to attract and safely accommodate visitors, particularly from neighboring Türkiye.

Outlook
As tourism season peaks, local stakeholders are calling on the Greek government to urgently staff the Samothraki customs office, allowing the Express Visa policy to be implemented before the season is lost. Without intervention, Semadirek risks missing out on valuable tourist revenue and strengthened cross-border ties at a time when it is needed most.

Background
The Express Visa program was relaunched in 2024 for ten Eastern Aegean islands to boost Turkish tourism amid economic recovery efforts. Semadirek's inclusion in 2025 was welcomed but has yet to be realized in practice.