Road transport plays a strategic role in trade relations between Türkiye and the EU. More than 40% of Türkiye's exports to the EU are transported by road, but transit document restrictions, additional fees, visa barriers and long waiting times at border crossings for transport to EU countries have a serious negative impact on the efficiency of trade.

This Brief, written by IKV researcher Ahmet Emre Usta, addresses the main problems Türkiye faces in road transport with the EU. The study examines in detail the transit permit quotas imposed by certain EU member states, particularly Austria, the additional costs incurred by Turkish transporters, the challenging visa processes for drivers, and delays at customs checkpoints. Drawing attention to the contradictions these restrictions create with the Customs Union's principle of free movement of goods, the report analyses the structural obstacles Türkiye faces in practice, despite its high level of compliance with the EU's road transport acquis. Additionally, the report focuses on the increasing importance of Türkiye's strategic location on the Middle Corridor, current developments at EU borders, and the potential lost in trade. Finally, it highlights that EU-owned companies in Türkiye are also negatively affected by these restrictions.

You can access the Brief note here.

Author: May 2025

Number of pages: 40

Author: Ahmet Emre Usta, IKV Researcher