Zero Progress on Türkiye’s Schengen Visa Exemption as Applications Hit 1.27M
Turkish citizens still require a visa to enter the Schengen Area, following a November 4, 2026, European Commission report confirming zero progress on the final six requirements for visa-free travel.
The stalled talks date back to December 2013, when Türkiye and the EU launched a roadmap featuring 72 benchmarks. While Turkish authorities have met 66 of those targets, six remain unfulfilled. These outstanding barriers include revisions to Türkiye’s anti-terrorism legislation, an operational cooperation agreement with Europol, and compliance standards for personal data protection. Because the data framework does not align with EU regulations, the Europol data-sharing pact remains blocked.
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For founders, executives, and frequent flyers managing cross-border operations, the administrative friction continues. Schengen consulates inside Türkiye processed more than 1,265,000 visa applications, marking an increase of nearly 10 percent compared to the prior year.
To manage the backlog, the European Commission rolled out the “cascade rule” on July 15, 2025. Under this framework, Turkish travelers with a proven visa history can secure multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years. Statistics show this adjustment increased the share of multiple-entry visas issued in Türkiye to 68.7 percent in 2025, up from 65 percent in 2024.
Beyond the core benchmarks, the European Commission’s Türkiye 2026 Report urged Ankara to align its national visa policy with EU lists, phase out border-issued and electronic visas, and handle visa issuance directly through its diplomatic missions under the EU Visa Code. The report also cited ongoing friction regarding Cyprus and noted that Türkiye continues to partially implement the EU, Türkiye Readmission Agreement.
Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly rejected the findings on the day of publication, denouncing the report as biased. Diplomatic talks have continued at ministerial levels, including an Ankara meeting on June 30, 2026, where Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with the EU’s High Representative Kaja Kallas alongside EU Commissioners Marta Kos and Magnus Brunner to discuss visa application processes and the Customs Union.
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