The European Union is starting a "pre-visa" application for Turkish citizens holding a green passport.

Axar.az informs that Turkish media reported this information.

It is noted that in the first half of the current year, Germany, France, and the Netherlands will also join the ETIAS system. Green passport holders will need to download the program, pay a €7 fee, and then enter their passport information into the system. If the system does not approve, the individual will not be allowed to enter the EU.

The EU Travel and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be implemented in the first half of 2025. Accordingly, individuals holding green or gray passports, who are exempt from EU visa requirements, will need to register in the ETIAS system when traveling to EU member states as well as Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.

Although Germany, France, and the Netherlands could not implement the system, originally planned to launch in 2021, some EU member states began using it in mid-November 2024. The system, designed for security purposes, will include an initial visa check. It is expected that 90-95% of applications will receive positive responses.

An initial notification for green and diplomatic passport holders traveling to Germany—one of the most visited countries by Turkish citizens—will begin in the first half of 2025. ETIAS is expected to impact 1 billion people, including Turks.