According to Şerafettin Aras, President of the International Transporters Association (UND), the delays and denials of Schengen visas for Turkish truck drivers are leading to higher costs, damaged trade relationships, and an operational strain on Turkey’s entire logistics sector.
Economic and operational impact on Turkish hauliers
“The impact of these visa barriers on Turkish hauliers is profound,” Aras stated. “In road transport, the load, truck, and driver form an inseparable whole. However, delays and denials in the visa process increase freight rates and logistics costs, cause delivery delays, and disrupt Turkish companies’ ability to honour their commitments. This also means our country’s trade is negatively affected, while European suppliers are forced to seek alternatives for the goods they require from Turkey.”
Aras highlighted the broader repercussions of this issue on both the Turkish and EU economies.
“Drivers are vital to Turkey’s exports to the EU, which accounts for a significant share of the goods transported to Europe. Fifty percent of Turkey’s exports to the EU are managed by EU-based companies operating in Turkey, with Germany accounting for 30% and Italy 10%.”
Aras emphasised that this visa issue ultimately penalises the EU itself.
“By creating obstacles in the Schengen visa process, the EU is effectively imposing limitations on its own businesses and consumers.”
To illustrate this impact, Aras referenced data from Eurostat and Turkey’s Ministry of Trade. Turkey exported €95.5 billion worth of goods to the EU and imported €111.3 billion from the EU, according to Eurostat, while Turkey’s Ministry of Trade reported $104.3 billion in exports and $106 billion in imports in 2023.
“Restricting access for professional truck drivers and treating them as tourists contradicts basic economic principles,” he argued, stressing that drivers are essential to ensuring the smooth flow of trade.
Lobbying and visa reform proposals by the UNDP
The UND has been actively lobbying EU and Schengen representatives for visa reforms for Turkish drivers, whom they argue are highly qualified professionals with credentials aligning with EU standards. Aras explained that Turkish drivers are certified under Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and Ministry of National Education, which ensures compliance with international regulations.
“Our drivers are highly knowledgeable and skilled,” he said, “and they perform their duties under continuous supervision.”
Aras outlined UND’s core objectives and proposals for resolving the visa crisis:
- Recognition of drivers as a priority group: UND urges the EU to categorise Turkish drivers as “urgent, priority” due to their essential role in ensuring EU-Turkey trade.
- Issuance of multi-entry visas: UND advocates for multi-entry visas, valid for progressively longer durations, in line with the Schengen Visa Code, beginning with a minimum of one year.
- Simplified application process: UND proposes reducing the document requirements for visa applications and standardising the process across EU representations, removing the “invitation letter” demand from certain countries.
- Centralised visa processing for drivers: UND suggests establishing a unified visa centre in Turkey dedicated to processing visa applications for Turkish drivers, simplifying the procedure and ensuring consistency across Schengen countries.
Aras noted that the Turkish government has recently intensified dialogue with the EU on trade facilitation and has strongly advocated for including professional drivers in discussions on visa reforms.
Strategic alternatives and Turkey’s position in global trade corridors
Given the ongoing visa challenges, UND and Turkish authorities are also exploring alternative trade routes outside of the Schengen zone. Turkey’s geographical position as a bridge between Europe and Asia, along with projects like the Caspian Trans-Caspian Corridor, Zangezur Corridor, and Development Road, bolsters its logistics network and strengthens trade with neighbouring regions. According to Aras, these initiatives enhance Turkey’s connectivity and mitigate some of the barriers encountered within the EU.
“Turkey has a critical transit role and connects Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East,” Aras emphasised. “As EU barriers grow, Turkey’s role in strategic corridors like the Middle Corridor is crucial for sustaining Turkish logistics.”
Earlier this year, the UND hosted a roundtable meeting in Brussels focusing on the Middle Corridor. The event was organised by TÜSİAD and opened by Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the EU, Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı. High-level EU officials attended, as well as representatives from Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. Aras highlighted that the Middle Corridor’s development is a shared priority for Turkey, the EU, and Central Asian stakeholders.
At the Brussels roundtable, UND provided data showing how non-tariff and transit restrictions affecting Turkish hauliers in the Middle Corridor — coupled with the visa issues faced by Turkish drivers — harm EU economies and the trade interests of EU businesses in Turkey and Central Asia.
“The visa restrictions are creating losses not just for Turkish trade but also for European companies seeking to expand their markets in Central Asia,” Aras observed.
Coordinated efforts to sustain growth in Turkish logistics
Aras praised the collaborative efforts among Turkey’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Transport, noting their vision and strategy in addressing visa and logistical barriers. Turkey’s government, he said, is actively working to facilitate border crossings and support Turkish logistics, given that trade volumes are expected to increase by 30% over the next three years.
“To meet the demands of international trade corridors passing through Turkey, especially the Middle Corridor, a strong national strategy is essential,” Aras emphasised. “As the private sector, UND will continue supporting these efforts, advocating for smoother transit and visa processes to secure Turkey’s role in global trade.”