Is Turkey in the Schengen area?
No
No. Turkey is neither in the Schengen area nor in the EU.
- In Schengen area?
- No
- EU member?
- No
- Status
- Not a member
Turkey is an EU candidate country but is not a member, and it is not part of the Schengen area. Many nationalities need a visa or e-Visa to enter Turkey, and it runs its own border controls.
A stopover or holiday in Turkey is entirely outside the Schengen system.
What this means for your 90 days
Days in Turkey do NOT count towards your Schengen 90/180 limit, and Turkey applies its own separate entry rules.
Since Turkey is outside Schengen, it can be a useful place to wait while your Schengen days roll off. The “when can I return” calculator works out the exact date - and see the full list of Schengen countries.
Frequently asked questions
Is Turkey in the Schengen area?
No. Turkey is neither in the Schengen area nor in the EU.
Do days spent in Turkey count towards my Schengen 90/180 days?
Days in Turkey do NOT count towards your Schengen 90/180 limit, and Turkey applies its own separate entry rules.
Is Turkey in the EU?
No - Turkey is not in the European Union. It is outside both the EU and the Schengen area.
Sources
- European Commission - The Schengen area - verified 11 Jun 2026