Turkey's Schengen traffic is increasing: One in every 7 applications is turned away
According to 2025 European Commission data, Schengen visa applications by Turkish citizens increased by 8 percent, exceeding 1.26 million. While the rejection rate remained fixed at 14.6 percent, Greece emerged as the easiest entry point, while Malta and Northern European countries remained the destinations with the highest barriers.
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The 2025 Schengen visa statistics published by the European Commission have revealed the intense travel demand from Turkey to Europe and the bureaucratic walls facing this demand. Despite a visible increase in applications compared to the previous year, the lack of improvement in visa rejection rates has drawn attention. The number of applications, which was 1 million 173 thousand 917 in 2024, reached 1 million 268 thousand 376 in 2025. However, this increase did not mean that doors were opened wider; the rejection rate remained at the 14.59 percent level, proving that the difficulties Turkish citizens face in accessing visas have become chronic.
STRICT VISA BARRIERS FROM MALTA AND NORTHERN EUROPE
When the data is examined on a country-by-country basis, the country that displayed the most distant attitude toward Turkish citizens was Malta, with a record rejection rate of 34.8 percent. Malta was followed by Poland (29.3%) and Sweden (26.5%), which have tightened their visa policies. In countries such as Norway, Finland, and Germany, rejection rates also remained well above the Turkish average (14.6%), exceeding the 20 percent threshold. In particular, Germany's 21.1 percent rejection rate revealed the depth of the visa crisis despite the intense social and economic ties between the two countries.
GREECE BECAME THE COUNTRY THAT ISSUED THE MOST VISAS
The most accessible route for Turkey in the Schengen area was once again Greece. Being the most preferred destination for Turks with over 310 thousand applications, Greece maintained its title as the "friendliest door" with a low rejection rate of 10.7 percent. Greece was followed by Germany, France, and the Netherlands in terms of application volume and approval numbers. On the other hand, the fact that approximately 69 percent of the approved visas (736 thousand 556) were issued as "multiple-entry" was recorded as a positive development for the limited group that received visas. Turkey continues to maintain its position as the second country in the world, after China, that makes the most applications to the Schengen area.