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INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTERS' ASSOCIATION OF TÜRKİYE

UND

UND is a leading professional association in Türkiye, established in 1974 by representatives from the Turkish international road freight transport sector to solve problems experienced by sector at national and international levels and today we represent the interests of over 6.000 international freight transport and logistics companies established in Türkiye.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Stefano Paci (Acting Head of Unit Mobility and Transport)

11 Nov 2025 · UND views on EU-Türkiye Road Transport Cooperation.

Meeting with Gert Jan Koopman (Director-General Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood)

21 Oct 2025 · UND views on bottlenecks for the Connectivity Agenda

Response to EU visa policy strategy

16 Sept 2025

The global shortage of professional drivers has become a critical issue, particularly affecting European supply chains due to the scarcity of heavy vehicle drivers. International drivers play a vital role in ensuring the uninterrupted flow of trade and cross-border supply chains a role recognized globally. For Türkiye, an export-oriented country conducting road exports to 60 nations, these drivers are strategically essential. Facilitating Schengen visa issuance for drivers who consistently fulfill their professional responsibilities is crucial to prevent the worldwide driver shortage from threatening Türkiye's and the EU's economy. Visa-related challenges increase freight and logistics costs, delay deliveries, and hinder companies from meeting contractual obligations. The World Bank's EU-Türkiye Customs Union Assessment Report highlights that difficulties in obtaining visas and restrictions on the duration of stay negatively impact the functioning of the Customs Union. Türkiye, deeply integrated with the global economy, receives 70% of its foreign investment from EU countries; 50% of its exports to the EU are handled by EU-capital companies; and 74% of the imports supporting these exports come from EU countries. Drivers transporting Turkish exports to the EU also carry EU goods back, while Türkiye imports 1.5 times more from the EU than it exports. Moreover, due to its geostrategic position, Türkiye facilitates EU-Central Asia trade as a key partner for the Middle Corridor. Therefore, drivers are critical to the Türkiye-European economy, and treating them as tourists or restricting their movement within the Schengen area contradicts fundamental economic principles. One of the primary challenges faced by Turkish truck drivers in the international road freight transport sector is securing appointments for Schengen visa applications, which is a prerequisite for submitting a visa. Since May 2022, even in Schengen countries that prioritize visa applications for truck drivers, significant difficulties have arisen: consulates sometimes close their appointment systems entirely or offer slots only at very distant dates. Currently, in some countries the system is effectively closed with occasional openings at unknown dates, while in others the earliest available appointments are 50 to 70 days after application. To address these challenges, the following measures are proposed: (1) Priority Classification - Recognize professional truck drivers as a priority group due to their key role in Türkiye-EU trade and the European economy, (2) Appointment-Free Applications - Allow visa submissions without prior appointments, (3) Gradual Visa Extension - Implement progressive extensions per Schengen rules, (4) Support for New Drivers - Facilitate visa issuance for new entrants, (5) Amendment of the 90/180 Rule - Extend allowed stay to 180/180 days for Schengen travel, (6) Long-Term Multiple-Entry Visas - Issue at least one-year multiple-entry visas based on required documents, (7) Document Harmonization -Standardize and reduce application documents, removing unnecessary requirements such as invitation letters, (8) Centralized Visa Center - Establish a single center to process applications for all Schengen countries. In conclusion, while the visa facilitation mechanism implemented by the European Union has eased certain challenges for our citizens, difficulties in securing appointments continue to impede full effectiveness. Turkish truck drivers-key actors in ensuring the continuity of cross-border trade-have largely been excluded from the system, which may be perceived as discriminatory. Ensuring efficient visa access for these professional drivers is essential for the sustainability of trade, the stability of supply chains, and the economic interdependence between Türkiye and the Schengen area. Implementing the proposed measures will support uninterrupted trade, reduce operational costs, and strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation.
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