The European Union has officially introduced new guidelines to simplify Schengen visa procedures for Turkish citizens, marking an important step in strengthening economic and social ties between Türkiye and EU countries.
Under the new rules, Turkish nationals with a record of regular and lawful travel to Schengen countries will now have access to long-term, multiple-entry visas. Starting from their second application, eligible travelers will be able to obtain six-month visas, later extending to one-year, three-year, and even five-year multiple-entry permits.
This change directly addresses long-standing complaints about delayed appointments, short-term visas, and high rejection rates. EU Ambassador to Ankara Thomas Hans Ossowski called the decision a “much-needed step to restore trust and improve mobility,” while Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat stressed its significance for business, trade, tourism, and investment.
Türkiye, which already ranks as the second-largest recipient of Schengen visas globally, has been pushing for such facilitation for years, arguing that smoother travel is essential for its businesspeople, investors, and entrepreneurs.
A Boost for Real Estate and Cross-Border Investment
The easing of visa procedures is expected to create a more favorable environment for real estate investments. For Turkish investors, easier travel across Europe will open doors to new property markets, making it simpler to explore opportunities, attend property fairs, and establish cross-border business partnerships.
For European buyers looking at property in Türkiye, this improvement in diplomatic and economic relations may strengthen investor confidence, encouraging more foreigners to purchase real estate in Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum, and other prime locations. Historically, political stability and strong economic ties have been key factors influencing foreign buyers’ decisions, and this step by the EU could further reassure them about Türkiye’s long-term investment potential.
Impact on Foreigners Considering Turkish Citizenship
This development also indirectly supports Türkiye’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, which has been attracting global investors seeking access to international mobility. With Türkiye moving closer to visa-free or simplified travel to Europe, foreign investors may view Turkish citizenship as an even more valuable asset.
A Turkish passport already provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 110 countries, and if ongoing negotiations with the EU result in a visa-free Schengen agreement, it would significantly increase its global ranking and appeal.
For high-net-worth individuals from regions such as the Middle East, Asia, and Russia, where Schengen visas are often difficult to obtain, investing in Turkish real estate to gain citizenship could become an even more attractive pathway. In addition to enjoying high rental yields and strong capital appreciation in Türkiye’s growing property market, they would also benefit from enhanced travel freedom.
Looking Ahead
The EU has signaled its willingness to restart formal negotiations on visa-free travel for Turks after the summer, provided Türkiye fulfills the remaining benchmarks of the visa liberalization roadmap. Additionally, discussions on expanding the Türkiye-EU Customs Union are underway, which could further boost trade and investment.
For real estate professionals and investors, these developments indicate a positive shift that may lead to higher property demand, stronger foreign investor interest, and increased citizenship-by-investment applications.
As relations between Türkiye and the EU continue to improve, the coming months could open up new opportunities in the real estate and investment landscape.
