The EU has simplified the rules for obtaining Schengen visas for Turkish citizens since July 2025. The new changes include the possibility of issuing long-term multiple-entry visas - from 6 months to 5 years. Find out the details of the reforms, Turkey's reaction and the prospects for a visa-free regime

New rules will come into force on July 15, 2025, which will significantly simplify the procedure for obtaining Schengen visas for Turkish citizens. This was announced by the EU Ambassador to Turkey, Thomas Hans Ossowski, calling the decision “a step towards eliminating bureaucratic difficulties that have troubled Turkish travelers for years.” We will tell you about the main changes for Turkish citizens in the EU in this article.

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What is changing in the Turkey-EU visa system?

According to the new procedure, Turkish citizens who previously used their visas correctly will be able to apply for long-term multiple-entry visas under a simplified scheme:

1. After the second application, you can get a six-month visa,

2. Then - a one-year one,

3. Subsequent applications can open access to three-year and five-year multiple-entry visas.

Thus, the process will become faster and more convenient, which will allow you to avoid some of the delays in the work of visa centers.

How to get a Schengen visa for Turkish citizens in 2025?

To get a Schengen visa, Turkish citizens must go through the following steps:

Step 1 – Determine the type of visa

The most popular category is the short-term C visa (Schengen tourist/business), which allows you to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Step 2 – Collect the necessary documents

Applicants need standard documents:

- passport (valid for at least 3 months after the trip),

- completed application form,

- biometric photo,

- confirmation of the purpose of the trip (hotel reservation, invitation, tour package),

- air tickets or transport reservation,

- medical insurance covering the entire Schengen area (minimum €30,000),

- confirmation of financial capacity.

Step 3 – Apply through the visa application center

Applications are accepted by accredited visa agencies and consulates of EU countries in Turkey. Given the high demand, it is advisable to book your application date in advance.

Step 4 – Take biometrics

When applying for the first time, fingerprints and a photo must be taken. Biometrics are valid for 5 years.

Step 5 – Get a decision

The standard processing time is 15 to 45 days.

Turkey’s reaction to the changes in EU visa policy

The Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomed the changes, stressing that they would be “a simplification that citizens have been waiting for for years.” Trade Minister Ömer Bolat also stressed that the move paves the way for new negotiations on modernizing the Turkey-EU customs union, particularly in the areas of services and e-commerce.

Context of Turkey-EU relations

The visa reform signaled a renewed dialogue between Brussels and Ankara after a long period of tense relations. Although Turkey has been a candidate for EU membership since 1999, the accession process has been effectively frozen due to political and legal disputes.

The EU has been offering Turkey visa-free travel for over a decade. However, according to Ossovsky, Ankara needs to meet six more criteria set out in the liberalisation “roadmap” for this.

What changes can Turkish citizens expect in the future?

The European Commission plans to resume formal negotiations after the summer break and work with Turkey to meet the necessary conditions. The EU ambassador stressed: “It is urgent to revive the process of visa-free travel in the Schengen area for Turkey.”

The new rules open up wider opportunities for Turkish citizens to travel to Europe and could be an important step towards the country’s further integration with the EU.

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Reminder! After numerous attempts, the new system of control of entry and exit to the European Union EES should finally start working in October 2025. It is predicted that starting from the fall of this year, entry into the European Union for citizens of countries that are not members of the EU will become more difficult. We have already told you when the EES will be introduced, whether foreigners who have a residence permit in the EU need to register in the EES and ETIAS system and other important details.

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