The European Commission has issued a stark warning to Georgia, saying the Eastern European country risks losing visa-free access to the Schengen Area unless authorities implement EU recommendations and reverse what Brussels describes as systematic democratic backsliding.
The warning came as part of the Commission’s eighth visa suspension mechanism report, which says that Georgia has regressed significantly on key governance and rule-of-law benchmarks that underpinned the granting of visa-free travel in 2017.
The EU says it’s already in the process of suspending visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders, with the measure set to take effect as new rules enter into force at the end of December.
According to the report, Georgian authorities have “failed to demonstrate any meaningful progress” in addressing the concerns raised in a July letter from the European Commission, particularly regarding the protection of fundamental rights, the reversal of restrictive legislation, and the alignment of visa policy with EU standards.
The Commission noted that in most of these areas, Georgia took no corrective measures.
Given the “systemic and deliberate” nature of this backsliding, the Commission said it will consider appropriate measures under the revised Visa Suspension Mechanism, which comes into effect at the end of December following its recent adoption.
The report specifically highlighted the adoption of restrictive legislation, including the Foreign Agents Law, anti-LGBT legislation, and amendments to foreign grant regulations.
Visa Policy Misalignment Emerges as Critical Issue
Beyond concerns about democratic governance, the Commission raised significant alarm about Georgia’s lack of alignment with EU visa policy standards.
The report stressed that Georgia currently maintains 26 visa-free agreements with countries subject to EU visa requirements and has taken no steps toward further alignment since 2022.
The Commission noted that Georgia actively backtracked in 2024 by granting visa-free entry to Chinese citizens, a move that “directly contradicts EU policy.”
The report also flagged Georgia’s practice of allowing citizens from 17 African and Asian countries to enter Georgia solely based on visas or residence permits issued by Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The Commission called for this practice to be terminated immediately, viewing it as incompatible with the “trust framework” underpinning visa-free travel arrangements.
Moreover, the report raised concerns about a significant influx of nationals from India and other Asian and Middle Eastern countries entering Georgia, warning that this could lead to increased illegal migration toward the EU, whether by land or sea.
How the New Suspension Mechanism Works
The updated visa suspension mechanism significantly expands the EU’s ability to revoke visa-free travel privileges for third countries.
The European Parliament approved the sweeping reforms in October, before the Council of the European Union formally adopted the measure.
The regulation is set to enter into force at the end of December, introducing several new grounds for suspension beyond existing criteria, such as lack of alignment with EU visa policy, the operation of citizenship-by-investment programs that raise security concerns, and deterioration of human rights.
Under the revised rules, the suspension process could unfold in two distinct phases.
In the first phase, which is underway, the visa suspension targets holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports issued by Georgian authorities, whom the Commission deems primarily responsible for failing to take action to address its recommendations.
Should issues remain unaddressed by Georgian authorities, the suspension could be extended to the entire population in a second phase.
The report provides no specific timeline for this escalation. Unlike imposing sanctions, the new mechanism requires the approval of only 55% of EU member states representing at least 65% of the total EU population, making it a more readily deployable tool than measures requiring unanimous agreement.
To date, EU authorities have revoked visa freedom under the existing mechanism only once, suspending Vanuatu’s visa waiver in November 2024.
Russian Influx and Georgia’s Investor Visa
The report also addressed the substantial increase in Russian nationals entering Georgia since the beginning of the Ukraine war, noting growing apprehension that Russian presence in Georgia could be exploited for foreign influence operations.
An estimated 100,000 Russians have relocated to Georgia since the war began, making the country a top destination for Russian emigration.
Between 2022 and June 2024, Russian citizens established over 20,000 businesses in Georgia, representing a significant economic presence.
Whilst specific statistics on participation in Georgia’s investor visa program are not publicly available, the scheme is popular among Russian nationals seeking to establish legal residency outside Russia.
Georgian Officials Reject EU Assessment
Georgian officials have responded forcefully to the Commission’s findings. Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, speaking on the day the report was released, described the EU as a “minor abandoned by its guardian,” referring to the United States.
President Mikheil Kavelashvili dismissed allegations of rights violations and political persecution as a “fairy tale,” arguing that Georgia has deliberately chosen to defend its sovereignty against what he described as “excessive European bureaucracy.”
