The Turkish president issued a directive to speed up and move forward with the Visa liberalisation program with Europe.
In December 2013 it was agreed and criteria were drawn up to implement a Visa liberalisation program to allow Turkish citizens Visa-free travel to the Schengen zone.
At the end of 2019, Turkey's president expressed his wish to help to finalise this process as Turkey feels that it has met all the criteria laid out by the EU.
On February 20th the Turkish Foreign Ministry opened it's doors and showed goodwill, for what will surely be a reciprocal agreement, to grant Visa-free travel to six more European countries, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Spain plus the UK.
For touristic purposes from March 2nd, 2020, citizens of these countries will be added to the likes of Germany, France, Italy, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden who already enjoy Visa-free, multiple entry travel to Turkey for 90 days in any 180 day period.
This step was taken to improve tourism, trade and cultural relations between Turkey, the EU, and UK but must also be looked at as another step closer to the Visa liberalisation agreement with the EU, allowing Turkish citizens Visa-free travel.
Whichever way you look at it, it can only be seen as a step in the right direction for all counties concerned.
It will certainly increase an already booming tourism sector but will also increase trade and commerce with this step to ease travel restrictions.
On this note, we here at citizenship by investment Turkey have for many years been studying and tracking developments of Turkey's bid to secure Visa-free travel for its citizens and we would say they have never been closer and there is a willingness on both sides to compromise and make this happen.
Of course, anyone thinking of applying for Turkish citizenship should do so without delay as things will almost certainly change after the implementation of Visa-free travel.
Also and as reported by Turkey investment property, real estate prices are on the rise so the availability of $250,000 investment-grade units will get more difficult.
To learn more please get in touch with one of our advisers.
