For many travelers to Turkey dreaming of a European getaway, the hardest part is no longer choosing a destination — but getting the visa that will allow them to get there.
Across the country, Schengen visa applicants are facing rising costs, months-long delays and allegations of a “black market” around application appointments.
According to Turkish press reports, available Schengen visa application appointments have become extremely hard to come by, with some reportedly being resold through middlemen for amounts ranging from 250 to 5,000 euros. Even those who manage to secure an appointment through the official system often receive visas that last only three to five days, despite applying for longer periods.
Rising costs and frustration
The Schengen visa, which allows entry to 29 European countries including Germany, France and Italy, has been the gateway to Europe for Turkish citizens for decades. But the once routine process has become a time-consuming and expensive ordeal for students, professionals and tourists.
Many report waiting up to a year for an appointment, only to receive visas that last for a few days or even be rejected. The complaints focus mainly on intermediary companies that handle applications on behalf of European consulates. Reports say some of them offer appointments in “VIP, Gold or Platinum categories” with exorbitant fees — but with no guarantee of a visa.
A report by journalist Ali G?len in the newspaper S?zc? notes that the German embassy in Ankara has yet to resolve the backlog of applications, with its online announcements continuing to report “high demand and processing delays” — statements that have remained unchanged for years, suggesting that the problem is not new.
Travel dreams on hold
While European consulates say they are working to manage the increased demand, frustration among Turkish travelers is growing. Many see access to Europe as increasingly limited and unequal, as talks on visa liberalization between Turkey and the EU drag on. has now fallen off the political agenda.
“It’s not just about the cards anymore — it’s about luck,” a travel consultant told local media. For thousands of Turks wishing to visit Europe, this uncertainty has turned a simple travel plan into a long and expensive adventure.
