The European Union has dismissed media claims in Turkey about Schengen visa restrictions, calling them false and warning applicants against misinformation and fraud.
In a statement on Friday, the Press and Information Team of the EU Delegation to Turkey said recent reports misrepresent the visa process, inflate costs and wrongly suggest that some EU member states have stopped issuing visas to Turkish citizens.
The delegation said documentation requirements for short-stay visas, including for business travel, are defined in a 2021 Commission Implementing Decision and used uniformly across Schengen consulates.
“The number of documents is substantially lower than the one mentioned in the media articles,” the statement said.
Contrary to claims that EU countries are closing their doors to Turkish travelers, the EU said consulates are processing a record number of applications, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
It also denied reports that visa costs are unreasonably high, clarifying that the base fee remains €90, with lower fees for some categories.
Service fees charged by official visa outsourcing firms are regulated under EU rules, the statement added.
The delegation warned that many Turkish citizens rely on unauthorized intermediaries who charge excessive fees and often engage in fraudulent practices.
“These intermediaries are not in any way affiliated with Schengen consulates,” the statement said. “The support of these intermediaries is not needed to apply for and receive a Schengen visa.”
Frustration with the Schengen process has grown in Turkey amid rising rejection rates and long delays.
Nearly 200,000 Turkish applicants were denied Schengen visas in 2023, according to EU data, with a rejection rate of 16.1 percent.
The Turkish government has urged the EU to ease restrictions and revive stalled visa liberalization talks.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said the current system limits Turkish citizens’ mobility and damages bilateral ties.
The EU said it is working to improve transparency and reduce waiting times but stressed that core procedures and requirements remain in place.
Visa application fees are set to increase to €100 starting June 11, 2025.