Turkey is today one step closer to becoming a member of the EU after prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a deal with EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom, Oceanwide Properties Turkey learned today. The pact means that Turkish citizens will be able to travel in Europe without the need for a visa after 2017. It also gives EU countries the opportunity to send back home illegal immigrants who enter other EU countries via Turkey (with Greece in particular a priority area, having been the destination for thousands of illegal immigrants in recent years).
The Turkish PM told a ceremony to celebrate the move in Ankara, that “a new process in Turkish-EU relations” had begun. “With our signatures today, the European doors are being opened for visa-free travel by Turkish citizens,” he said. The EU’s Home Affairs Commissioner described the signing as “a significant step forward” between the EU and Turkey. She went on to say that it would boost the relations between Turkey and the European Union and bring benefits for their citizens.”
As Turkey gets ever closer to becoming a full member of the EU it is certain to make the Turkey property more attractive to foreign nationals throughout Europe and not just Russia, the UK and Germany (where the majority of foreign buyers with property in Turkey hail from). Not only can Turkey point to much warmer weather than many northern European countries, but it’s also less expensive in cost of living terms than countries such as the UK, France, Germany and Scandinavian nations. At present many Turkey property buyers are reaping the growing popularity of Turkey by renting out their homes for up to six months during the holiday season (and which in turn pays for their stay there for the remaining six months.
Today’s deal has resulted in many politicians in both Turkey and the EU breathing a sigh of relief as Turkey’s entry to the EU has had a question mark over it after agreements between the two countries regarding the illegal immigrants issue had led to a three year fall-out. It had become a sticking point for both sides. Today, however, Turkey conceded and as a result Turkish citizens are set to benefit in terms of easier travel throughout Europe. The Turkish prime minister meanwhile, will undertake a personal visit to Brussels in January next year.
If you’re considering investing in property abroad and Turkey in particular then here at Oceanwide Properties Turkey we have a large portfolio of apartments and villas for you to take a look at. We have offices in both Turkey and London with the Turkish office based in the coastal Fethiye area. We can guide you through the property buying process (which differs from that in the UK – in many respects but especially the need for military clearance). We can also put you in touch with a number of clients from the UK and other European countries who have already bought through ourselves in Turkey and who would be happy to recount their experience of the process. For more information take a look through our website or contact us via email or telephone. We’d be delighted to hear from you.
