16.11.2026 01:21
Bulgaria is preparing a new regulation to reduce the appointment problems experienced in Schengen visa applications made from Turkey. Eight new personnel will be assigned to consular units in Istanbul, Ankara, Edirne, and Bursa. Additionally, it is planned to transition to a central digital appointment system by mid-2027.
Long waiting times faced by Turkish citizens in obtaining a Schengen visa have prompted Bulgaria to take action. Aiming to increase the application capacity of its consulates in Turkey, the Bulgarian government will both increase the number of staff and create a new system that will manage appointment procedures from a single center.
ADDITIONAL STAFF FOR CONSULATES IN FOUR PROVINCES
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova announced the new planning for visa procedures after her visit to the Consulate General in Istanbul.
Accordingly, a total of 8 new consuls will be assigned to serve at consular units in Istanbul, Ankara, Edirne and Bursa. The additional staff are expected to start their duties before the end of 2026.
The additional staff is expected to speed up procedures, especially at units with a high volume of applications. According to data from the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approximately 40,000 visa applications were submitted to the Istanbul Consulate General alone in 2025.
VISA APPOINTMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED FROM A SINGLE CENTER
The second regulation Bulgaria is working on involves changing the current appointment system.
With the new practice, it is aimed to distribute consular appointments through a central electronic system. Thus, the aim is to reduce the problems experienced by applicants in accessing appointments and to make procedures more transparent.
The system, which is planned to be made available to all applicants regardless of visa type, is expected to be put into operation by the middle of 2027.
REGULATION FOR TURKISH TRUCK DRIVERS ALSO ON THE AGENDA
During the talks between the two countries, the time restriction faced by Turkish truck drivers engaged in international transport in the Schengen area was also discussed.
Under the current practice, drivers can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. This rule, which poses a problem especially for drivers making frequent trips, came to the agenda again at the end of October with long vehicle queues at border crossings.
It was stated that an agreement was reached on a short-term exception to solve the problem. With the planned regulation, it is aimed that drivers who have completed the 90-day stay period can continue their transport activities.
VISA REQUIREMENTS WILL NOT CHANGE
The new steps announced by Bulgaria do not mean that Turkish citizens will be granted the right to travel visa-free or that applications will be automatically approved.
With the increase in staff at consulates and the digital appointment system, the aim is only to facilitate application processes. Turkish citizens will continue to meet the current application requirements to obtain a Schengen visa.