Border crossings in Edirne witness unprecedented increase in returning expatriates
In the northwestern province of Turkey, the city of Edirne is experiencing an unprecedented surge in border crossings during the summer holidays. Since the start of the "expat season" on June 22, approximately 632,744 people have passed through the four border gates of Edirne, marking a significant population movement.
This influx mainly consists of Turkish nationals living abroad, particularly from Western Europe where about 6 million of the 7.5 million Turkish citizens abroad reside. They travel back to Turkey, many by car, for the summer break to reunite with their families. Edirne, situated on Turkey’s border with Greece and Bulgaria, serves as the primary gateway for these travelers, together with border crossings in Kırklareli.
The local administration has made infrastructural improvements to handle the high traffic. New mobile booths have been completed at the Ipsala Border Gate to speed up processing times for returning expatriates. Similar preparations are underway at the Hamzabeyli Border Gate.
On July 13 alone, there was a peak of 62,263 passengers and 14,730 vehicles, surpassing the previous year's record on July 14. For the entire first half of 2025, around 5.7 million passengers and 2.3 million vehicles passed through Edirne’s border gates[1].
The schools' summer break triggers the travel of expatriates to Turkey, making Edirne a bustling hub during the summer holidays. The steady flow of arrivals due to the expatriates continues, underlining Edirne's strategic role as a key entry point for Turkish expatriates returning to their homeland during the summer holiday period.
Preparations are also being made for the return journey of Turkish expatriates, ensuring a smooth transition for the large number of travelers expected to leave Turkey at the end of the summer season.
[1] Data source: Edirne Governorate's Office of Migration and Foreigners.
Expatriates living abroad predominantly from Western Europe are traveling back to Turkey during the summer break, influencing a shift in lifestyle as they reunite with their families. This travel leads to Edirne serving as a primary gateway, especially during the summer holidays, due to its location on Turkey's border with Greece and Bulgaria.
