Bulgaria takes action for Schengen

Schengen visa applications in Türkiye increase by around 10-15 percent every year. However, even applying for a visa poses a big problem due to the appointment system implemented by EU countries. Schengen visa applications, which were around 900 thousand in 2018, rose to 1.3 million despite the appointment system. However, the number of personnel in embassies and consulates authorized to issue Schengen visas in Türkiye has remained at the pre-2020 level and is not being increased.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova Chamova, who is working to solve these two problems, said in her statement after her visit to the Consulate General in Istanbul yesterday that 8 additional personnel will be allocated to the consular units in Türkiye. According to the news of BTA Ankara Representative Ayşe Sali, the new officers will be assigned to four consular units in Istanbul, Ankara, Edirne and Bursa. Chamova stated that despite the hard work of the existing staff, it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet the ever-increasing number of applications with the current capacity, and stated that the reinforcement will accelerate both the acceptance of applications and the processing process.

Single appointment system

The second important step that Bulgaria will take will be the digitalization of the visa appointment system. The Minister pointed out that there are transparency problems in the current system regarding who gets an appointment earlier and with what criteria.

The planned central digital appointment system will be accessible to applicants regardless of visa type. The aim is to distribute appointments within the framework of determined rules and criteria so that applicants can process faster.

It is anticipated that the new consular staff will be operational by the end of 2026, and the central digital appointment system will be operational by mid-2027.

Istanbul data reveals the extent of the workload. Approximately 40 thousand visa applications were made in Istanbul, Bulgaria's busiest consular unit in Türkiye, last year. It is stated that the total visa applications from Türkiye are around 100 thousand. This figure is aimed to rise above 130 thousand with additional personnel and a new appointment system. Bulgarian authorities expect applications to increase further with the increase in trade and economic relations between the two countries, as well as the increasing interest of Turkish tourists in Bulgaria.

TRUCK DRIVERS SAY 90 DAYS

Another important topic on the agenda between Bulgaria and Türkiye was the stay limit of "90 days in 180 days" for Turkish truck drivers in the Schengen area.

At the end of October, high-level talks were held between the two countries regarding the problem that caused truck queues at the border gates. Chamova stated that an exception was agreed upon in the short term, which will allow drivers who have completed their 90-day stay to continue their transit. Chamova emphasized that coordination with other Schengen countries and the European Commission is required to access longer-valid visas.