In order to facilitate people-to-people contacts, the European Union has adopted, on 15 July 2025, more favourable visa rules for Turkish citizens applying for Schengen visas (so called “cascade rule”). This is an important improvement, and a sign that EU wants to have Turkish citizens traveling to the EU.
This new cascade regime applies to all Turkish nationals - except truck drivers - who reside in Türkiye, and apply in Türkiye for Schengen short-stay visas and – most importantly – have an established travel history (a bona fide traveler). For these applicants, the new rules will provide easier access to Schengen visas with longer validity.
• According to the visa “cascade” regime for Türkiye, Turkish nationals can now be issued a longer-validity, multi-entry Schengen visa, valid for one year after having obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years.
• The validity of the first visa will normally cover the intended travel (can be single or multiple entry). The second visa can be a multiple entry visa valid for 90 days in a six-month period.
• The one-year visa can then be followed by a three-year and then by a five-year visa, if the previous visa were lawfully used and the passport has a sufficient remaining validity.
This decision comes against the background of the cooperation with Türkiye on migration, including readmission.