How Visa Liberalization Between Türkiye and the EU Could Boost Tourism

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Key Takeaways

• Visa liberalization between Türkiye and the EU stalls; six technical benchmarks remain unmet as of 2025.
• Over 1 million Turkish Schengen visa applications in 2023 faced a 15.7% rejection rate, rising steadily.
• Turkish citizens are exempt from ETIAS but still require Schengen visas until full liberalization occurs.

visa liberalization between Türkiye and the European Union: An In-Depth Analysis of Tourism and Broader Impacts

Purpose and Scope

How Visa Liberalization Between Türkiye and the EU Could Boost Tourism

This analysis examines the ongoing process of visa liberalization between Türkiye 🇹🇷 and the European Union 🇪🇺, focusing on its potential to transform tourism, economic relations, and people-to-people connections. The discussion covers the current state of negotiations, historical context, policy implications, practical impacts, and the challenges that remain. The goal is to provide a clear, evidence-based overview that helps readers understand how changes in visa policy could affect travel, business, and daily life for Turkish and EU citizens.

Methodology

This report draws on official statements from EU and Turkish officials, recent statistics on visa applications and rejections, and policy documents from the European Commission and European External Action Service (EEAS). It also incorporates analysis from VisaVerge.com and other reputable sources to present a balanced view. The information is organized to highlight key findings, present data in accessible formats, and compare trends over time. Where possible, official government links are provided for readers seeking further detail.

Key Findings

Visa liberalization between Türkiye and the European Union remains stalled, with six technical benchmarks still unmet.
Tourism and economic ties stand to benefit greatly if visa-free travel is achieved, but current visa requirements and long processing times deter many travelers.
The rejection rate for Turkish Schengen visa applicants has risen, with over 1 million applications and a 15.7% rejection rate in 2022.
Political will and legal reforms are needed on both sides to move the process forward.
Turkish citizens are exempt from the upcoming ETIAS travel authorization, but still require visas for the Schengen area until liberalization is complete.

Data Presentation and Visual Descriptions

To help readers understand the scope and impact of the visa liberalization process, the following sections present key data and trends.

Visa Application and Rejection Trends

Over 1 million Turkish citizens applied for Schengen visas in 2023.
More than 48,000 applications were rejected.
The rejection rate for Turkish applicants increased to 15.7% in 2022.

If we imagine a simple bar chart, the number of applications would be represented by a tall bar for 2023, with a smaller bar next to it showing the number of rejections. Over time, the rejection bar has grown taller, showing the increase in rejection rates.

Timeline of Visa Liberalization Talks

2016: Türkiye and the EU agree on a roadmap for visa liberalization.
2016–2024: Türkiye fulfills 66 out of 72 required benchmarks.
2025: Six benchmarks remain, including legal reforms and cooperation with EU agencies.

A timeline would show a long stretch from 2016 to 2025, with most benchmarks checked off early, but the last six remaining as obstacles.

Current Visa Process for Turkish Citizens

Turkish citizens must apply for Schengen visas through consulates or private firms.
Applicants face long wait times for appointments and processing.
Visa fees and documentation requirements add to the burden.

A flowchart would show the steps: application submission, waiting for an appointment, providing documents, paying fees, and waiting for a decision.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

Comparison: Türkiye vs. Other Countries

Many countries outside the EU have achieved visa-free travel to the Schengen area after meeting similar benchmarks.
Türkiye has fulfilled most requirements but faces unique political and security concerns from the EU.
Rejection rates for Turkish applicants are higher than for some neighboring countries, reflecting stricter scrutiny.

Trend: Growing Demand for Travel

Interest in travel between Türkiye and the EU continues to rise, driven by tourism, business, and family connections.
Visa application numbers have increased, but so have delays and rejections, creating frustration among travelers.

Pattern: Stalled Progress

Despite early momentum, the visa liberalization process has slowed, with political disagreements and security concerns blocking final approval.
Technical talks have resumed, but progress depends on both sides making concessions and fulfilling commitments.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

Visa liberalization would likely lead to a significant increase in tourism and economic exchange between Türkiye and the European Union. Easier travel would encourage more people to visit, spend money, and build business relationships.
The current visa system is seen as unsustainable by both Turkish and EU officials. Long wait times, high rejection rates, and complex procedures discourage travel and create resentment.
The main obstacles are political and legal, not technical. Türkiye has met most technical requirements, but issues like anti-terror laws, data protection, and cooperation with Europol remain unresolved.
Both sides have incentives to reach an agreement, but progress will require compromise and trust-building. The EU wants cooperation on migration and security, while Türkiye seeks closer ties and easier travel for its citizens.

Limitations of the Analysis

The situation is fluid and subject to change based on political developments. Negotiations could speed up or stall further depending on events in Türkiye, the EU, or the wider region.
Data on visa applications and rejections may not capture the full picture, as some potential travelers are discouraged from applying by the complexity of the process.
Official statements may reflect negotiating positions rather than final outcomes.

Historical Context

The visa liberalization process began in 2016, when Türkiye and the European Union agreed on a roadmap for visa-free travel. The roadmap included 72 benchmarks covering areas like border security, document security, migration management, public order, and fundamental rights. Türkiye has met 66 of these benchmarks, but six remain, mostly related to legal reforms and cooperation with EU agencies.

Despite early progress, the process has stalled due to political disagreements and concerns about migration and security. The EU has linked visa liberalization to broader issues, including cooperation on migration and alignment with EU laws. Türkiye, for its part, sees visa liberalization as a key step toward closer integration with Europe and has pushed for faster progress.

Policy Implications

For Tourism

Visa liberalization would make it much easier for Turkish citizens to visit the Schengen area for tourism. Currently, the need to apply for a visa, gather documents, pay fees, and wait for approval discourages many potential travelers. If these barriers were removed, tourism flows could increase sharply, benefiting both Türkiye and EU countries.

For Business and Education

Easier travel would also help businesspeople, students, and researchers. Business trips could be arranged more quickly, and educational exchanges would become simpler. This could lead to stronger economic ties and more opportunities for collaboration.

For Migration and Security

The EU remains concerned about migration and security risks. Visa liberalization could make it easier for people to move between Türkiye and the EU, raising concerns about irregular migration and crime. Addressing these concerns is a key part of the remaining benchmarks.

Practical Implications

Visa Application Process: Turkish citizens must currently apply for Schengen visas through consulates or private firms, often facing long wait times and complex requirements. Simplifying this process could significantly increase travel.
ETIAS Exemption: Turkish citizens will not need to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) when it becomes operational, as Türkiye is not part of the ETIAS program. However, they will still require visas until visa liberalization is achieved.
Economic Impact: Increased travel would bring more spending to both Türkiye and EU countries, supporting jobs in tourism, hospitality, and related sectors.

Multiple Perspectives

EU Perspective

The European Union sees visa liberalization as part of a broader relationship with Türkiye, involving cooperation on migration, security, and legal reforms. EU officials have stressed the need for Türkiye to meet all benchmarks, especially those related to anti-terror laws and data protection. At the same time, they recognize that the current system is unsustainable and creates frustration for Turkish citizens.

Turkish Perspective

Türkiye views visa liberalization as a strategic goal and a sign of progress toward EU membership. Turkish officials argue that they have met most requirements and that the EU should move forward. They see visa-free travel as a way to strengthen ties, boost the economy, and improve relations with Europe.

Step-by-Step Process Toward Visa Liberalization

Technical Talks: The EU and Türkiye are holding technical discussions to address the six remaining benchmarks.
Benchmark Fulfillment: Türkiye must implement legal reforms and enhance cooperation with EU agencies, including Europol.
Political Approval: The European Parliament and EU member states must approve the visa liberalization agreement.
Implementation: Once approved, Turkish citizens could travel to the Schengen area without visas.

Recent Developments

High-Level Dialogue: The third high-level dialogue on migration and security between the EU and Türkiye focused on improving the visa process and addressing deficiencies.
Resumption of Talks: The EU has proposed resuming technical talks to address the remaining benchmarks, signaling a willingness to move forward.
Official Statements: EU Ambassador to Türkiye, Thomas Ossowski, has called the current visa system unsustainable, highlighting the need for reform.

Official Resources

For readers seeking more information, the European Commission provides updates on the visa liberalization process and EU-Türkiye relations. The European Commission’s official website offers detailed information on current policies, requirements, and progress reports.

Comparative Analysis: Visa Liberalization in Other Contexts

Other countries have achieved visa-free travel to the Schengen area after meeting similar benchmarks. For example, countries in the Western Balkans completed legal and security reforms to gain visa-free access. Türkiye’s situation is unique due to its size, location, and political context, but the experience of other countries shows that progress is possible with sustained effort.

Challenges and Remaining Obstacles

Legal Reforms: Changes to anti-terror laws and data protection are politically sensitive in Türkiye, making reform difficult.
Cooperation with EU Agencies: Enhanced cooperation with Europol and other agencies requires trust and information sharing.
Political Will: Both sides must be willing to compromise and prioritize the benefits of visa liberalization over short-term concerns.

Potential Benefits of Visa Liberalization

Increased Tourism: Easier travel would encourage more people to visit, boosting spending and cultural exchange.
Stronger Economic Ties: Business and trade would benefit from easier movement of people and ideas.
Improved Relations: Visa liberalization could help build trust and cooperation between Türkiye and the European Union.

Risks and Concerns

Migration Management: The EU is concerned about irregular migration and the ability to manage borders effectively.
Security: Ensuring that visa-free travel does not increase security risks is a key priority for EU officials.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Visa liberalization between Türkiye and the European Union has the potential to transform tourism, business, and people-to-people ties. While most technical requirements have been met, political and legal challenges remain. The resumption of technical talks and the willingness of both sides to address remaining issues offer hope for progress.

For Turkish citizens, visa liberalization would mean easier travel, more opportunities, and closer ties with Europe. For the EU, it would strengthen cooperation with an important neighbor and partner. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the process is at a critical juncture, with both risks and rewards on the horizon.

Actionable Guidance

For Travelers: Stay informed about changes in visa policy by checking official EU and Turkish government websites.
For Businesses: Prepare for increased opportunities if visa liberalization is achieved, but continue to plan for current visa requirements.
For Policymakers: Focus on building trust, addressing security concerns, and communicating the benefits of visa liberalization to the public.

Further Information

For the latest updates on visa liberalization and EU-Türkiye relations, visit the European Commission’s official website.

By understanding the process, challenges, and potential benefits, readers can better prepare for the changes that visa liberalization could bring to travel, business, and daily life between Türkiye and the European Union.

Learn Today

Visa Liberalization → The process allowing citizens to travel visa-free between countries after meeting specific requirements.
Schengen Area → A zone of 26 European countries allowing passport-free movement across internal borders.
ETIAS → European Travel Information and Authorisation System, a visa-exemption travel authorization for certain non-EU visitors.
Benchmark → A technical or legal standard set as a requirement in visa liberalization negotiations.
Europol → The European Union agency focused on law enforcement cooperation to combat crime and terrorism.

This Article in a Nutshell

Visa liberalization between Türkiye and the EU could boost tourism and business, yet political challenges delay progress. Despite meeting most technical benchmarks, six remain unmet. Turkish citizens face high rejection rates for Schengen visas. Both sides must compromise to achieve easier travel and stronger economic ties soon.
— By VisaVerge.com