28.08.2026 15:02
The return journey of expatriates who spent their annual leave in their homeland to the European countries where they live is continuing at full speed. While the density at the border gates in Thrace increases day by day, expatriates leaving their homeland are experiencing bittersweet moments on the way back.
Hundreds of thousands of expatriates who spent their summer holidays in Türkiye are flocking to the land border gates in Thrace to return to the countries where they live. With weeks remaining until the expatriate season ends, vehicle congestion in the departure direction is increasing exponentially. Following Kapıkule, Türkiye's largest land border gate, the İpsala Border Gate, one of the points where expatriate traffic is most intense, is also experiencing one of its busiest days.
"WE COME WITH JOY AND RETURN WITH SADNESS"
Hayati Demircan, 59, who was waiting in line for departure at the İpsala Border Gate to return to Germany after spending his vacation in his hometown of Sinop, stated that he has lived in Germany for 55 years and comes to Türkiye every year without fail. Demircan, who said he missed his relatives during his leave, expressed the difficulty of leaving the motherland with the words, "We came to Türkiye with great joy, but we feel sadness on the way back."
"IT IS HARD TO LEAVE OUR LOVED ONES"
Yusuf Bağcı, who set out for France after completing his annual leave in his hometown of Karaman, was another name expressing the bitterness on the return journey. Stating that he spent time with his family and friends during his leave, Bağcı said, "Now we are on the road back again. Leaving family, spouses, friends, and relatives gives a person great sadness," thus voicing the common feelings of expatriates on the road to Europe.