The border-free Schengen Area guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU citizens, as well as to many non-EU nationals, businessmen, tourists or other persons legally present on the EU territory. The free movement of persons is a fundamental right guaranteed by the EU to its citizens. Schengen cooperation enhances this freedom by enabling citizens to cross internal borders without border checks.
The countries belonging to the Schengen area are: Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, The Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
The common visa policy aims at facilitating the entry of legal visitors into the EU, while strengthening internal security. In 2010, the 25 Schengen States issued around 11 million Schengen visas globally. 24 of those Schengen states are represented in Turkey.
Citizens from many non-EU countries, including Turkey, are required to hold a visa when travelling to the Schengen Area.
The key reference for the common visa policy is the EU Visa Code, applicable from 5 April 2010. It sets out the procedures and conditions for issuing visas for the purpose of short stays and airport transit.
In Turkey, the Schengen Member States issue visas in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Edirne. Under the Visa Code, the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey locally coordinates a harmonised application of common visa policy in Turkey, while Schengen Member States remain responsible for issuing visas.
In this section, you will find relevant information concerning Schengen Visas, how and where to apply and which documents you need to submit when applying. Links to other sources of information are provided.
European Commission Directorate-General Home Affairs – visa policy
Key Links
A visa policy to spur economic growth in the EU (PDF, 71 kB)
Improving visa procedures (PDF, 80 kB)
Press Release: Commission Decision
Information Note on Uniform Schengen Visas (PDF, 84 kB)
Supporting Documents for Schengen Visa Applications to be submitted by applicants
Visa Code in the Official Journal of the European Union
European Commission Directorate-General Home Affairs – visa policy
Links to the Web Sites of the Member States of the Schengen Area
