Balkan Visa Guide for Turkish Citizens

North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo allow Turkish citizens visa-free entry for up to 90 days. For these three countries, no application is required for travel lasting no more than 90 days for tourism, business, education or personal purposes. Bulgaria, however, has required a Schengen visa from Turkish citizens since becoming a full member of the Schengen area in 2025.

Visa-free entry rights are restricted by travel purpose. Tourism, private visits and short business meetings fall within scope. Permanent residence, employment or commercial activities such as trade cannot be conducted during a visa-free period; separate applications are required for these purposes.

**North Macedonia:** Turkish citizens can stay visa-free for 90 days. As a non-Schengen country, this right is granted under a bilateral agreement. After 90 days, you must leave the country; you can re-enter during the same year, though there is no limit on total residence days (no 180-day rolling window applies here like in Serbia).

**Serbia:** You can stay for 90 days within a 180-day period. For example, if you enter on 1 January and stay for 90 days, you must wait at least 90 days before returning. Serbia's arrangement is based on a bilateral agreement as an EU candidate country.

**Bulgaria:** As of March 2025, Bulgaria joined Schengen. Turkish citizens must now enter with a Schengen C visa. However, a visa exemption is being discussed for the near future and is not currently available.

**Kosovo:** The 90-day visa-free entry is based on a detailed visa exemption agreement. The presence of a Turkish minority community and historical ties form the background to this facilitation.

During a visa-free period, you can engage in typical tourism and private visit activities. However, employer-sponsored work, self-employment or business formation are generally considered prohibited. If you intend to travel for these purposes, you risk being questioned by customs officials and may be denied entry, particularly if you disclose your actual purpose.

That said, attending business meetings, investigating investment opportunities, or meeting with potential partners and clients is generally accepted as tourism. If you are uncertain whether planned activities would be considered work, or if situations are borderline, applying for a long-stay visa from abroad before your trip is the safest course.

For circumstances exceeding your visa-free allowance — such as residence beyond 90 days, employment, study or investment — each country has a separate Visa D (long-stay visa) procedure. In North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo, applications can generally be made after arrival; in Bulgaria, applications must be made from abroad as part of the Schengen process.

Our separate 'Residence Permit Comparison' article covers each country's visa process, required documents and timelines in full detail. We recommend reading that guide before applying and seeking personalised advice for your situation.

When entering the Balkans, customs officials may ask standard questions: purpose of travel, length of stay, accommodation details, financial situation (amount of money brought in). Answering truthfully and consistently is important. State your travel purpose clearly; if you say tourism but begin working a week later, this inconsistency may be flagged in the border records of the country involved.

Documents requested may include a valid passport, return or onward ticket, accommodation proof (hotel reservation, invitation letter, etc.) and evidence of sufficient financial resources. Each country may apply different standards. If planning long-term residence, applying for official residence permits will remove such uncertainties.

Visa, customs and migration legislation in each country may change frequently. This article is for informational purposes; we recommend consulting official institutions before travel. The Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) publishes up-to-date visa guides for each country on its website.

If you plan long-term residence, employment or investment, feel free to contact us for specialised guidance on these matters.