Turkish citizens seeking to travel to Europe are facing growing difficulties securing Schengen visa appointments ahead of the summer travel season, fueling a market in which intermediaries charge hundreds of euros for expedited bookings.
Appointment shortages at visa application centers have made it increasingly difficult for applicants to secure slots through official channels, prompting some travelers to seek help from unofficial brokers advertising “VIP appointments” and faster processing services on social media and messaging platforms.
While standard Schengen visa fees are around 90 euros, some intermediaries reportedly charge several hundred euros, and in some cases close to 1,000 euros, to obtain appointments more quickly.
The shortage has also led to a rise in fraud complaints. Travelers have reported losing money to individuals and companies that promise guaranteed visas or fast-track appointments but fail to deliver the services advertised.
European governments and visa service providers have repeatedly warned applicants to use only official application channels, noting that no intermediary can guarantee a visa decision.
The appointment crunch comes as Turkey remains one of the world’s largest sources of Schengen visa applications. Turkish citizens filed about 1.17 million applications in 2024, making Turkey the second-largest applicant country globally after China, according to European Commission data.
Applications from Turkey increased from 1.05 million in 2023 to 1.17 million last year, adding pressure on consulates and visa processing centers already struggling to meet demand during peak travel periods.
The problem is expected to worsen during the summer months as travel demand increases. Industry observers say appointment shortages are likely to continue unless European countries expand processing capacity and increase the number of available appointment slots.