Europe’s Two-Tiered Visa System for Türkiye: Elite Access vs. Citizen Wait Times
A controversial system of “Green Passports” is creating a stark divide in travel access between Türkiye and Europe, with ordinary citizens facing lengthy visa delays while a select group enjoys expedited entry, according to a report from the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine. Despite purported negotiations regarding broader visa liberalization, neither Germany nor Ankara currently prioritizes such an agreement.
The Selective Embrace of Turkish Nationals
The core of the issue lies in Europe’s willingness to accept certain Turkish citizens while erecting barriers for others. Germany, specifically, is keen to attract Turkish business people and qualified workers, creating a de facto two-tiered system. Individuals who export over $500,000 annually, as well as professors, company representatives, civil servants, and lawyers, can readily obtain Green Passports – a privilege that grants them streamlined access to Europe.
“Europe accepts the people it wants from Türkiye, and those it doesn’t want wait in visa queues for months and still face rejection,” a source familiar with the situation stated. This preferential treatment effectively bypasses standard visa procedures, offering a fast track for those deemed economically or professionally valuable.
The “Green Passport” Conundrum
The number of Green Passports currently in circulation remains a point of contention. EU member states have repeatedly questioned Türkiye regarding the issuance criteria and total number of these special travel documents, but their inquiries have largely gone unanswered.
“The Union attaches special importance to the transparency of the Turkish authorities regarding the number of green passports and under what conditions they are issued,” said Jurgis Vilčinskas, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation. This lack of transparency fuels concerns about the scope and potential misuse of the system.
Expanding Privilege, Stalled Progress
The demand for Green Passports is growing, with numerous professional groups seeking inclusion. Engineers, architects, journalists, private school teachers, truck drivers, and even headmen have submitted applications to Parliament, with 16 new requests filed in 2024 alone. However, the process has stalled, leaving many applicants in limbo.
Ankara’s Control and Recent Cancellations
According to the report, Türkiye is deliberately slowing down the expansion of the Green Passport program. The rationale? To maintain control over which citizens have access to visa-free travel to Europe. This control was recently demonstrated by the cancellation of the passport belonging to the wife of Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent political figure, highlighting Ankara’s ability to selectively restrict travel.
While any EU nation – with the exception of Cyprus – theoretically retains the right to revoke its acceptance of Green Passports, no such action has been taken to date. The reason is pragmatic: allowing privileged access for certain Turkish nationals alleviates the burden on European consulates.
A Foot in Both Worlds
The Green Passport system allows Türkiye to navigate a complex geopolitical space, maintaining a degree of proximity to Europe without fully adhering to European standards. As one analyst noted, the system positions Türkiye with “one foot in Europe and one foot outside.” This arrangement allows Ankara to selectively engage with the EU while retaining sovereignty over its citizens’ travel privileges.
The situation underscores a complex and evolving relationship between Türkiye and Europe, one defined by selective engagement and a clear disparity in travel access.
