Do Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa for Europe?
Yes. Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa to enter the 29 Schengen Area countries. Stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period are allowed for tourism, business, or family visits.
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Schengen visa requirements for Turkish citizens
Turkish nationals need a Schengen visa for tourism, business, family visits, study trips under 90 days, and most other short-term travel within the Schengen Area. The standard fee is 90 EUR for adults, plus a service charge from the visa application center.
Long-stay visas (more than 90 days) require a national visa from the specific country, not a standard Schengen visa. These are issued for studies, work, or family reunification.
Which countries are not in Schengen?
Not all European countries require a Schengen visa from Turkish citizens. Visa-free destinations for Turkish nationals include Georgia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Moldova, and Serbia.
Bulgaria and Romania completed full Schengen integration in 2025, so a Schengen visa now also covers them. Cyprus is still outside Schengen and requires a separate Cypriot visa.
Common visa types for Turkish travelers
The most common Schengen visa for Turkish travelers is the type C short-stay visa for tourism, business, or family visits. Turkish citizens living in Turkey who have used earlier visas lawfully can receive multiple-entry Schengen visas step by step: 6 months, then 1 year, then 3 years, then 5 years.
Tips for Turkish applicants
Apply at least 6 weeks before your trip. Strong applications include consistent bank statements, employment proof, and clear travel ties to Turkey. Use trip1 to book hotels and pay with cryptocurrency - confirmed reservations strengthen your application without locking in non-refundable payments.
Schengen visa for Turkish citizens - FAQ
Yes. Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa for short trips to any of the 29 Schengen countries, such as France, Germany or Greece, for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You also register in the EU's Entry/Exit System at the border. Studying, working or staying longer needs a national visa from that country.
Turkish citizens can visit Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Moldova, Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for up to 90 days, and Albania and Georgia without a visa too. Montenegro allows up to 30 days. Most EU countries, including all Schengen members and Cyprus, still require a visa. Check passport validity rules for each country.
None so far. The Schengen area still has 29 members, with Bulgaria and Romania the latest to join, on 1 January 2025, so a Schengen visa now covers both. Cyprus is an EU member but not yet fully in Schengen, and Turkish citizens need a separate Cypriot visa for it.
No. Turkey is not a member of the EU or of the Schengen area, so it keeps its own border and visa rules. For Turkish citizens, that means a Schengen visa is needed for every Schengen country, while visitors to Turkey follow Turkey's own entry rules rather than Schengen ones.
Usually only if you live in Turkey legally. As a general rule, you apply at the consulate responsible for the country where you are legally resident. A foreigner with a Turkish residence permit can apply in Turkey, but someone visiting Turkey as a tourist normally has to apply in their home country.
The fee is 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children aged 6 to 11, plus the visa centre's service charge. Processing normally takes 15 days but can stretch to 45. Apply no earlier than six months and at least 15 days before travel. Those who use earlier visas properly can work up to a 5-year visa.