The consulate general of Turkey in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, reports that approximately 20 wedding ceremonies for Turkish couples took place in the metropolis every month. Local officials state that the first months of 2015 show that there are already the number reached last year. This is a drastic improvement to the case five years ago, when no Turkish citizen would considered getting married in Greece. Most Turkish people choose the Turkish consulate for their civil wedding ceremony, while a number also prefer Chalkidiki.

Thessaloniki is the hometown of the founder of the modern Turkish state, Kemal Mustafa Ataturk.