EU Simplifies Schengen Visa Process for Turks with Multi-Year Options

The European Commission has distributed a new framework to EU member states to simplify and speed up Schengen visa procedures for Turkish nationals, announced by Turkish Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat on 18 July. The move comes after years of challenges faced by Turkish citizens in obtaining these visas.

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A progressive system for longer-term visas

The new procedure introduces a progressive system allowing Turkish citizens to secure multi-entry Schengen visas with increasingly long validity. Applicants who have previously held visas, regularly traveled to the EU, and returned to Turkey without incident may now qualify for longer durations: up to six months initially, then one year, two years, and potentially up to three and five years in later phases. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision, effective 15 July 2025, calling it an improvement to the Schengen visa regime.

Minister Bolat acknowledged the ongoing difficulties Turkish nationals—including students, academics, businesspeople, engineers, and technicians—had faced due to restrictive policies in recent years. Ankara had consistently raised the issue with EU authorities, including during the latest round of high-level EU–Turkey trade talks on 1 July in Ankara, where the proposal was formally introduced.

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A boost for tourism and exchanges

This reform aligns with a broader EU drive to revive travel demand post-pandemic and make the Schengen Area more open and appealing. European Commission data shows a 13.6 % rise in visa applications and an 18 % increase in visitor arrivals to Europe in early 2025. In 2024, more than 9.7 million Schengen visas were issued, over half of which were multiple-entry, with refusal rates falling from 16 % in 2023 to 14.8 % in 2024.

Turkey ranks among the top applicant countries, with 1,173,917 applications in 2024. Over 993,000 Turkish requests were approved at a success rate of 85 %. The new visa scheme aims to further instill confidence and position Europe as a top destination for tourists and professionals. Reforms are expected to particularly benefit students, digital nomads, and business travelers.

Public reaction has been mixed. Some forum users hailed the move as an “excellent development” and pointed to the previously “ridiculous” refusals issued to qualified professionals and academics. Others voiced skepticism, arguing Turkey’s insufficient integration—or drift away—from Europe. Critics also highlighted perceptions of “racism” behind past restrictive policies. One comment argued that prior refusals did not deter Turkish citizens from repeatedly applying for short-term travel.

Despite differing views, Turkey’s foreign minister has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to working with European institutions to further improve the Schengen visa application process.

The Turkish Embassy in France praised the initiative.

A wider trend of visa facilitation across the bloc

The relaxations for Turkey come amid a broader EU trend. Brussels has also signed short-stay visa-facilitation agreements with 13 other countries, covering Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cabo Verde, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine, and Russia. These deals offer lower fees and faster processing.

Moreover, Greece and Italy have proposed a unified Schengen visa to simplify travel across multiple EU countries under a single permit, an idea that has gained strong support.

With Bulgaria and Romania fully integrated into Schengen on 1 January 2025—raising membership to 29—and Cyprus preparing for future accession, the Schengen Area is positioning itself as a more open, interconnected global corridor for travelers worldwide.