Turkish Nationals Can Now Get 5-Year Schengen Visas – Everything You Need to Know

In a historic development that will ease travel to Europe, Turkish citizens now receive multi-entry Schengen visas for five years, including a newly established “cascade” system by the European Union. The new rules were implemented on July 15, 2025. The news was confirmed by the EU Ambassador to Turkey, Thomas Hans Ossowski while in Ankara.

What Is the New Schengen Visa Cascade System?

Administered by the new visa program, Turkish applicants with no prior visa history will be rewarded. After their second successful application, Turkish travelers will now qualify for:

• 6-month multi-entry visa.
• 1 year visa.
• 3-year visa.
• And eventually a 5 year multi-entry visa.

The focus is to eliminate the lengthy bureaucratic delays Turkish travelers have been subjected to for years. “It will definitely be easier and much quicker for Turkish citizens,” Ossowski said, while stating that this is not a complete answer to Turkish travelers being frustrated with the visa process. 

What’s Behind the EU’s Visa Shift for Turkey?

These changes have been made in reaction to ongoing complaints about delays and complications in the visa process. The EU blames many of the delays on the increased volume of applications and the administrative difficulties faced by consulates and agencies.

Although Türkiye’s EU membership talks remain stalled, this action shows a small re-commitment to bilateral engagement. The Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomed the action and confirmed that talks are continuing for other visa facilitation measures.

Could More Countries Benefit Next?

The EU has previously implemented similar rules regarding biometric data access for India and has indicated that additional nations may follow suit, especially if those nations are strong performers in terms of visa compliance, trade and cultural exchange.