The information that five Greek islands can be accessed without a Schengen visa made Russians incredibly happy. Such a pilot project was launched by the Greek authorities to attract an additional flow of tourists, but, unfortunately, today this proposal is in question.
The opportunity to visit the Greek islands without a Schengen visa appeared for tourists from Russia in July, this program was proposed by the Greek authorities in agreement with Turkey and Brussels. The project was originally planned for the period from July 7, 2012 to September 30. Tourists on the Aegean coast in Turkey could take a ferry to such popular Greek islands as Lesvos, Rhodes, Kos, Samos and Chios and stay there for no more than 15 days.
To do this, they only needed to issue a “lightweight” visa, having applied at least a day to a tour operator in Turkey, provide tickets for the ferry there and back, a valid passport, a hotel reservation and two photographs. The cost of such a visa is 35 euros, that is, approximately 1400 rubles. Also, a "lightweight" visa could be obtained at the Greek border point, having reached the islands in any other way.
Thousands of tourists and residents of Turkey took advantage of the excellent opportunity presented by the authorities. Russians, who have long been accustomed to rest in Turkey, also gladly went to the Greek islands, enjoying new opportunities. Tour operators began selling combined tours on the Aegean coast, prices immediately increased.
However, the opportunity to visit the Greek islands without Schengen lasted only two weeks. Two Russians went on a "lightweight" visa to Rhodes and did not return within 15 days. They are no longer on the island either. Observers who closely followed the project concluded: the tourists left for another Schengen country and are now considered illegal migrants. Thus, the Russians undermined the reputation of honest tourists, and the program was suspended. The visa service has suspended the program, and today a standard procedure for obtaining a Schengen visa in Russia is required to visit Rhodes.
Today the situation on the border between Turkey and Greece is ambiguous. Already announced about the restrictions imposed on the entry of foreigners, for example, now you need an operator and hotel voucher, a return ticket and some other documents. Most likely, visiting the islands without a visa will be resumed, since this is a very profitable source of income for Greece, but the maximum stay will be reduced from 15 days to several days.
