New guidelines for Schengen visa applications from Turkish citizens

New Schengen Visa Rules for Turkish Citizens: Easier Access Through the Cascade System

On 15 July 2025, the European Union (EU) introduced a significant update to the Schengen visa process for Turkish citizens. The newly adopted “cascade rule” brings more favourable and simplified conditions for Turkish nationals who frequently travel to Europe. This reform is expected to strengthen mobility, cultural exchange, and business ties between Türkiye and the Schengen Area.

What Is the Cascade Rule?

The cascade rule is a step-by-step visa system designed to reward bona fide Turkish travellers with progressively longer-validity Schengen visas. It applies to all Turkish nationals residing in Türkiye and applying for visas within Türkiye, with the exception of truck drivers.

The system works as follows:

1. First visa → Valid only for the intended trip (can be single or multiple entry).

2. Second visa → May be issued as a multiple-entry visa, valid for 90 days within a six-month period.

3. Third visa → A one-year multiple-entry visa, available to travellers who have lawfully used their previous two visas within the last three years.

4. Subsequent visas → If the previous visas were used correctly, travellers may then qualify for a three-year visa and later a five-year visa, provided their passport has sufficient validity.

This approach creates a smoother path for frequent Turkish travellers, offering greater flexibility and long-term ease of travel within Europe.

Why This Change Matters

The EU’s decision comes at a time of record demand for Schengen visas from Turkish citizens. In 2024 alone, Schengen consulates in Türkiye processed nearly 1.2 million visa applications (1,173,917) — the highest figure ever recorded, marking a 10% increase compared to 2023.

Interestingly, the rate of multiple-entry visas also rose sharply, with 65% of applicants in 2024 receiving multi-entry permits. This reflects the growing need for Turkish nationals to move easily between Türkiye and Europe, whether for business, tourism, education, or family visits.

Additionally, more than 100,000 Turkish tourists benefited in 2024 from a special temporary scheme that allowed short-stay visits to selected Greek islands in the Eastern Aegean directly from coastal Türkiye.

Benefits for Turkish Nationals

The cascade rule will make Schengen travel:

• More predictable → Travellers can expect longer visas if they have a clean travel history.

• More convenient → Fewer applications over time save both effort and costs.

• More rewarding → Responsible travellers gain quicker access to multi-year visas.

• Stronger ties with Europe → Easier travel fosters deeper cultural, educational, and economic exchanges.

Final Thoughts

The introduction of the cascade rule marks an important step forward in EU–Türkiye relations. By making it easier for law-abiding Turkish citizens to obtain long-term visas, the EU is recognizing the strong travel demand and the importance of facilitating legitimate mobility.

For Turkish travellers, this means that Europe is now closer than ever before. With careful use of each visa and adherence to travel rules, many applicants will soon enjoy the freedom of holding a five-year Schengen visa, opening doors to seamless travel across 29 European countries.