(TÜRkiye) Visa barriers are again at the center of trade debates in 2025 as Turkish exporters push into European markets while facing slow Schengen decisions and more refusals. Türkiye posted record exports this spring—an annualized $265 billion as of April, with monthly sales at $20.9 billion and up 8.5% year on year—yet daily complaints from business travelers point to frictions that money alone can’t solve.
Exporters say delays and denials are costing meetings, trade fair slots, and contracts. The strain shows in the numbers: nearly 200,000 Turkish applicants were refused Schengen visas in 2023, a rejection rate of 16.1%. Managers describe missing product demos and client visits because their passports stayed at visa centers for weeks. Forwarders and sales teams, especially small and mid-sized firms, report added costs from repeat submissions and last‑minute flight changes.
EU response and data
Brussels rejects claims of new Schengen visa restrictions. In May 2025, the EU Delegation to Turkey said there were no extra hurdles beyond rules set in the 2021 Commission Implementing Decision. Consulates, the EU said, are handling applications at record levels, above pre‑pandemic volumes. The base fee remains €90, with regulated service charges.
Officials also warned about misinformation and pointed to unauthorized middlemen who try to sell “priority” slots that don’t exist. For official rules on Schengen short‑stay visas, the European Commission maintains a public brief at https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy_en.
On the ground, exporters tell a different story: more paperwork requested, shifting checklists, and longer queues. The EU counters that the list of required documents is “lower than often reported.” Both can be true at once.
High demand after the pandemic has created bottlenecks, while tighter scrutiny on some profiles has slowed decisions. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the mix of strong travel demand, staffing gaps, and added vetting has extended wait times across several Schengen posts that see heavy Turkish business traffic.
Key takeaway: administrative capacity and targeted vetting are causing divergent experiences—officially stable rules, but practically longer waits and more requests at busy posts.
Workarounds, risks, and practical steps
With Schengen flows unreliable, Ankara has leaned on a tool it controls: the special (green) passport.
- In January 2025, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced an extra 8,500 green passports for exporters.
- By late 2023, more than 35,000 exporters held these passports.
- In 2024, the government printed over 1.4 million special passports after expanding who can apply (including certain professionals, spouses, and adult children under 25 of eligible exporters).
The program’s thresholds have eased over time. When it started for exporters in 2017, firms generally needed at least $1 million in exports. In 2019, that floor dropped to $500,000, and the rule for consistent export volumes was later removed.
Supporters argue the green passport helps smaller firms travel for sales calls and fairs without waiting on swamped consulates. Critics in the EU see a growing loophole. Diplomats have raised security and abuse worries, saying the surge of green passports could be used to skirt regular visa filters.
The EU’s line so far: no blanket bans, no extra fees, no across‑the‑board “Schengen visa restrictions” targeting Türkiye. But officials say they are watching the special passport trend closely and could adjust checks if misuse is proven.
This creates a dilemma for exporters:
- The green passport is a lifeline for rapid travel to Europe.
- But wider use could trigger added scrutiny at borders or in airline systems, causing different kinds of delays.
Practical steps for Schengen business visa applicants in 2025
- Check whether a visa is needed or if a special passport applies to your case.
- Gather proof of trade activity (export records), an invitation from a partner or event organizer, travel insurance, and proof of funds.
- Apply through official visa centers or consulates only. Avoid agents who promise faster results.
- Pay the €90 fee and any regulated service charges, then wait for processing.
- If refused, consider an appeal or file a new application with clearer documents tied to a specific trip.
These steps are straightforward; the challenge is timing. Business calendars are tight, and fairs run on fixed dates. A two‑week delay can erase a year of sales planning. Export clusters in machinery, auto parts, textiles, and food report shifting more meetings online or inviting EU buyers to Istanbul or Izmir to reduce travel risk.
Trade context and outlook
The EU‑Türkiye Customs Union has kept tariffs at zero for industrial goods since 1996, but it doesn’t cover people’s movement. That gap affects Turkish exporters whose production is integrated with European supply chains.
After a six‑year pause, the High‑Level Economic Dialogue between Ankara and Brussels resumed in 2025, with visa facilitation high on Türkiye’s list. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called the current system harmful to ties and urged a return to visa liberalization talks. Trade Minister Ömer Bolat has pressed for smoother travel for businesspeople and framed the green passport expansion as a practical fix while talks drag on.
From the EU side, officials stress protecting the integrity of the common visa system. They acknowledge the economic weight of EU‑Türkiye trade but emphasize that security checks and rule‑of‑law benchmarks matter. Independent analysts caution that if the special passport rollout keeps growing fast, the EU could respond with targeted verification steps for those documents. There is no such move today.
Exporters preparing for autumn fairs in Germany, Italy, France, and Spain are:
- Building in extra lead time.
- Booking early consulate appointments.
- Keeping backup plans, such as sending a colleague who already holds a multiple‑entry visa or a green passport.
Costs are rising too. Besides official fees, exporters complain about inflated charges from unauthorized intermediaries. The EU Delegation has warned these actors exploit applicants and spread rumors of hidden rules, adding stress for firms already juggling freight prices, supply issues, and tight delivery windows.
Current status and possible scenarios
As of August 22, 2025, there are no new EU policy changes on visas for Turkish exporters. The file remains under close review.
Possible near‑term outcomes:
- If real abuse of special passports emerges → tighter checks could follow.
- If talks between Ankara and Brussels gain traction → modest facilitation (for example, faster lanes for frequent business travelers) could be considered.
For now, companies are operating between those two paths—trying to hold growth while travel remains uncertain.
Final thought: Record exports show the strength of Turkish industry. But deals are closed by people, not goods lists. Until travel runs on a steadier rhythm, visa barriers will keep shaping who gets in the room—and who closes the sale.
This Article in a Nutshell
Record Turkish exports ($265B annualized) clash with Schengen visa delays and a 16.1% refusal rate in 2023. Turkey’s expanded green passport program eases travel but raises EU concerns about misuse and may prompt targeted checks; exporters are advised to apply early, use official channels, and document trade activity.
