01.09.2025 02:59
After spending their summer vacations in Turkey, the density created by expatriates returning to the countries they live in Europe continues at the Kapıkule Border Gate, which opens to Bulgaria. Just before the schools reopen, approximately 2 million expatriates have exited from a total of 5 border gates in Edirne and Kırklareli between June 22 and August 28, with the last groups departing.
Expats living in various countries in Europe have come to their homeland to spend their summer leave. Starting from June 22, the expats began arriving in their homeland by land, and as their leave comes to an end, they are returning to the countries they live in.
RETURN JOURNEY HAS STARTED, MILES OF QUEUES HAVE FORMED
Expats are creating congestion at the Kapıkule and Hamzabeyli border gates opening to Bulgaria, and the Pazarkule and İpsala border gates opening to Greece. Expats arriving at the Kapıkule Border Gate, which is the last stop before leaving Turkey, are forming long vehicle queues in the customs area while waiting to exit, and at the same time, they are experiencing the sadness of leaving their homeland.
NUMBER OF DEPARTING EXPATS REACHED 2 MILLION
According to data from the Thrace Customs and Foreign Trade Regional Directorate, between June 22 and August 28, 564,168 vehicles entered and 503,256 vehicles exited through the Kapıkule and Hamzabeyli border gates opening to Bulgaria, the Pazarkule and İpsala border gates opening to Greece, and the Dereköy Border Gate opening to Bulgaria from Kırklareli. During the same period, 2,243,871 passengers entered and 2,045,205 passengers exited through the 5 border gates. It was noted that approximately 2 million of the passengers entering and exiting were expat citizens.
"WE ARE TRAVELING BY CAR FOR OUR DOG"
Meral Susa, who is spending her summer vacation in Didim, Aydın, said they are returning to Germany with their 10-month-old dog named 'Dayı' and stated, "We have been in Turkey for about 2.5 weeks. I am coming from Didim. Our family is there, and we had a great time. This is the first time we are traveling by car from Germany. Our vacation is over, so we are very sad. We have a 10-month-old dog, and we actually preferred to come by car for him. Our journey went very smoothly. I hope it goes well from now on too," she said.
"LONGING DOES NOT FIT IN 1 MONTH"
Şemsettin Zengin, who returned to Germany, also said, "We stayed in Turkey for 1 month. We are from Edirne. The vacation went very well. Longing does not easily fade, it does not fit in 1 month. Our Turkey is very beautiful. It is also very difficult to leave because all our family is here," he said.
"NOWHERE IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS YOUR OWN COUNTRY"
Serkan Kızılay, who came from Iğdır and is heading to the capital of France, Paris, stated that the return journey is sad. Kızılay said, "Our vacation went very well. We traveled, had fun, and saw our family. I work in construction in France. It is very sad to leave our family and our country behind and return. This inevitably affects us. But we are also happy there; we inevitably have a job and life there, but nowhere is as beautiful as your own country," he said.