Key Takeaways
• Türkiye filed 867,646 Schengen visa applications in 2023—second highest globally.
• President Erdogan demanded Schengen visa reform at the May 2025 summit in Tirana.
• EU officials discuss simplifying visas for Turkish citizens but no concrete timeline exists yet.
Türkiye’s Renewed Push for Schengen Visa Reform: What’s at Stake for Relations with the European Union
Türkiye has recently stepped up its calls for urgent changes to Schengen visa rules, asking the European Union to make it easier for Turkish people to visit, work, study, and connect with Europe. This appeal has drawn much attention both in Türkiye and in the wider European Union, as the visa situation sits at the heart of the two sides’ relationship. The debate concerns more than just paperwork and travel—at its core, it reflects deep questions about fairness, ties between countries, and the future of Türkiye’s connection to Europe.
Current Visa Rules: Barriers and Imbalances
Right now, all Turkish citizens must get a Schengen visa before they can visit European Union and Schengen Area countries. This means every trip for tourism, business, education, or seeing family requires a long visa process. People must fill out many forms, schedule appointments, pay high fees, and wait weeks or even months for a decision. Often, they hear nothing for a long time or face surprise requests for more documents.
This stands out because citizens of many other countries that also hope to join the European Union (called EU candidate countries) do not face such strict rules. Many can travel to the Schengen Area more easily. This situation frustrates many people in Türkiye, especially as the country already lets most EU and EFTA nationals visit without needing a visa. There is only one exception—citizens from the Republic of Cyprus must still have visas to visit Türkiye. The uneven rules have become a main source of tension in EU-Türkiye talks.
People in Türkiye often ask, “If we let Europeans visit our country without a visa, why do we face such big hurdles to go to their countries?” This sense of unfairness has grown in recent years as people see friends, business partners, and family from other countries getting visas and traveling freely while they remain stuck in limbo.
Türkiye’s Top Leaders Speak Out
The slow and complex visa system has moved from being just a common complaint to a national priority. On May 16, 2025, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a strong appeal to the European Union at a big summit in Tirana. He said very clearly that the current Schengen visa rules hurt both Turkish citizens and the European Union.
Erdogan pointed out that rules limiting the free movement of Turkish people also limit the flow of goods, services, and money. In other words, holding back people also holds back business, tourism, and economic ties. He called for the Schengen rules to be “re-evaluated,” making it clear this was not a minor request but a key demand for moving forward in the EU-Türkiye relationship.
The message from Turkish leaders did not end there. The very next day, on May 17, 2025, Turkish officials repeated their call for urgent reform. They tied the issue directly to Türkiye’s efforts to join the European Union. To Turkish leaders, easier access to Europe for their citizens would show that the European Union values closer cooperation, trust, and partnership with Türkiye.
The View from Türkiye’s Foreign Minister
Hakan Fidan, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister, has also taken a strong public stance on the Schengen visa system. He addressed the issue clearly in March 2025, explaining how the current setup is not working. Fidan said the system does not meet Türkiye’s growing demand for travel, commerce, and connection with Europe.
According to Fidan, the visa problem is twofold:
1. The current system does not keep up with the large and rising need for visas in Türkiye.
2. Turkish officials point to European Union statements about high visa approval numbers but argue that, in reality, the acceptance and refusal ratios have remained the same for years. Many applications are still rejected or delayed.
Fidan added that for real progress to be made, the visa process should “disappear.” By this, he means that Turkish people should not have to struggle through frustrating and costly steps just to visit European friends, go on business trips, or study in European Union countries. Instead, he calls for “visa liberalization.” This is a simple way of saying that Turkish people should be able to travel to Schengen countries with much less hassle, maybe even without needing a visa at all.
Growing Calls for Change in the European Union
The European Union has begun to listen. Thomas Ossowski, the EU’s Ambassador to Türkiye, has said that helping Turkish citizens get visas more quickly is one of his top goals. He admitted that “it is not good for people to wait so long to get a visa.” According to Ossowski, there are now more talks between EU and Turkish officials to find new ways to make the system faster and easier.
High-level meetings in early 2025 between both sides placed the visa issue at the top of their talks. There is now wide agreement that making the visa process simpler would bring benefits for both Türkiye and the European Union. It would show real progress toward Türkiye’s long-standing wish to join the European Union, while also making it easier for families, students, and businesspeople to travel.
However, while there are positive words, no clear timeline or detailed plan has yet been set for deep changes. Many in Türkiye are watching closely to see if these new signals from the European Union will lead to real, concrete steps in the coming months.
The Numbers: Why Schengen Matters to Türkiye
The scale of the challenge is easy to see in the numbers. In 2023, Turkish citizens filed more Schengen visa applications than almost any other country—only one country filed more. Schengen countries granted 867,646 visas to people from Türkiye that year. This huge number shows how important the Schengen visa is for so many Turkish people.
Despite the high number of approvals, the process is still long and difficult. Many people face rejected applications or endless waiting. The strong appetite for visas highlights the wide and deep connections between Türkiye and the countries of the European Union. Every year, thousands of people want to travel for tourism, study, business, or to visit family. Every delay or rejection is not just an inconvenience—it can mean missed events, lost money, or even broken relationships.
What Is Visa Liberalization and Why Does It Matter?
The term “visa liberalization” simply means making visas easier to get—or in the best case, letting people travel without a visa at all. For Türkiye, this would mean Turkish citizens could visit Schengen Area countries for short stays without first having to get permission through complex paperwork and high fees.
Visa liberalization is more than just a travel perk. It is a key marker of trust and shared values. In Europe, citizens of countries who do not need a visa to go to other Schengen countries benefit from more business deals, more cultural sharing, and easier family reunions. Turkish leaders argue that their country should be treated the same as others, reflecting Türkiye’s long-standing partnership with the European Union.
Would visa liberalization affect security? Supporters say that Türkiye has long worked closely with European countries on security, migration, and legal matters. They argue that these close ties mean Turkish travelers can be trusted to respect the rules, and that border checks and security information-sharing will remain strong.
What Would Change for People in Türkiye?
If the European Union agreed to visa liberalization or made it much easier to get a Schengen visa, many doors would open for people in Türkiye. More students could take part in exchange programs, go to top European universities, or join training programs. Businesspeople could go to important meetings and trade fairs without fear of delays. Families and friends could see each other more often, without stress and last-minute cancellations.
Tourism would likely boom, with many more people from Türkiye visiting famous European cities, beaches, and cultural sites. On the other hand, European Union countries would benefit, too. More Turkish travelers would mean more spending in European shops, hotels, and restaurants, boosting local economies.
The impact would go far beyond money and numbers. Easier travel can help build trust, friendship, and a shared sense of belonging between Türkiye and the European Union. For many in Türkiye, especially young people, being able to move freely in Europe would be a powerful symbol of hope and possibility for the future.
A Longstanding Issue and a Test for the Future
Visa liberalization has been on the agenda between Türkiye and the European Union for many years. For Turkish leaders and citizens, progress on this issue is seen as a test of how serious the European Union is about building a fair and equal partnership. As reported by VisaVerge.com, both sides have often made promises about making travel easier, but real change has been slow.
Supporters of reform say that now is the right moment for bold action. They point to global events that have shown the value of being able to travel, work, and study abroad. They also highlight how Türkiye remains a close partner of the European Union on issues like trade, security, and migration. Easier travel would show that these close ties are real, not just words on paper.
Controversies and Different Viewpoints
Of course, not everyone agrees on how quickly things should move. Some European Union countries voice concerns about migration and security. They want to make sure that any changes to Schengen visa rules keep Europe safe and do not encourage illegal stays. Others stress the need for Türkiye to meet all agreed reforms before big steps are taken.
On the other hand, Turkish officials say that treating Turkish citizens differently from others is unfair and holds back both sides. They point out that thousands of businesses, schools, and families already depend on busy, healthy ties between Türkiye and the European Union. Delays and denials do real harm, they argue, while trust and openness would help all.
Next Steps and What to Watch
In the coming months, the focus will likely be on more high-level talks and possible pilot programs to make the Schengen visa process smoother for Turkish citizens. There may be efforts to test out shorter forms, lower fees, or faster appointments. Both sides also continue to watch each other’s actions and words to see if new pledges turn into real progress.
People in Türkiye looking to apply for a Schengen visa—or those hoping for easier rules soon—should stay updated through official sources such as the Schengen Area policies page and national embassy websites. Staying informed helps avoid common mistakes and prepares people for any new rule changes.
Summary
Türkiye’s strong recent push for Schengen visa reform has highlighted long-standing problems at the center of relations with the European Union. At heart, the debate is about more than just travel—it is about fairness, mutual respect, and the future of Türkiye’s place in Europe. With high demand for travel and business ties only growing, easier movement could bring real benefits to families, businesses, and communities on both sides. As talks continue, millions are waiting to see if this time, concrete changes will truly bring Türkiye and the European Union closer together.
Learn Today
Schengen visa → A visa allowing short-term travel across 27 European countries in the Schengen Area without internal border controls.
Visa liberalization → Process of easing or removing visa requirements, enabling easier or visa-free travel between countries for short visits.
EU candidate countries → Nations seeking to join the European Union, undergoing assessments and reforms to meet membership criteria.
EFTA (European Free Trade Association) → An intergovernmental organization promoting free trade among member states outside the European Union.
Visa approval ratio → The proportion of visa applications accepted compared to those refused by a country or group of countries.
This Article in a Nutshell
Türkiye’s demand to reform Schengen visa rules underscores fairness and partnership issues with the EU. Turkish citizens face tougher travel barriers than many EU candidates. Despite calls from Türkiye’s leaders and high demand, the European Union signals openness but hasn’t committed to a clear timeline for real visa liberalization.
— By VisaVerge.com
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