Heavy traffic at İpsala Border Gate: average of 5,500 passages on weekends

According to statements given by customs officials to ERT Orestiada, İpsala—one of the most important land border gates connecting Greece and Europe with Türkiye—faces significantly increased passenger traffic, particularly during the summer season.

Customs Director Christos Nakos stated that traffic at the border point continues to rise steadily, noting that approximately 1,800 people cross daily during weekdays, while this number increases to 5,500 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Nakos emphasized that the growing congestion requires improved working conditions and additional personnel to ensure efficient border operations.

Increased Pressure Expected in the Summer Period
Authorities warned that starting from July 1, the flow of travelers is expected to increase further as Turkish-origin migrants living in European countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands travel to Türkiye for summer holidays, potentially making the situation more difficult to manage.

Currently, 14–15 police officers are assigned to support passport control operations at the border gate, but calls for additional staffing have reportedly not received sufficient response.

Infrastructure and Investment Needs
Officials also highlighted infrastructure limitations, particularly the lack of adequate storage facilities for safely securing confiscated goods, which complicates inspection procedures.

On the positive side, ongoing modernization works at the customs facility were described as encouraging. The project includes the construction of two new buildings for veterinary and agricultural inspection services, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year.