European Commission Warns Georgia of Possible Visa-Free Suspension Over Democratic Backsliding
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, December 22, 2025
The European Commission has warned that Georgia could face phased restrictions under the EU's visa suspension mechanism, citing what it describes as a serious regression in governance, the rule of law, and fundamental rights.
In its eighth report under the visa suspension framework, published on December 19, the Commission said Georgia has significantly backtracked on commitments that formed the basis for granting visa-free travel to the EU. The report signals that Brussels is prepared to take "appropriate measures" if the situation does not improve.
According to the document, initial steps would focus on suspending visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports. These measures would target those "primarily responsible" for failing to address the Commission's recommendations. If concerns persist, the suspension could later be expanded to include the general population, potentially resulting in a complete loss of visa-free status.
"Georgia has regressed significantly on key governance and rule-of-law benchmarks," the Commission said, adding that the backsliding is "systemic and deliberate."
The warning follows the EU's adoption of revised visa suspension rules earlier this year, designed to make it easier to impose restrictions in a targeted and uniform manner across all member states. The updated mechanism is set to enter into force on December 30, 2025, eliminating the possibility of bilateral exemptions.
The Commission pointed to widespread failures to implement recommendations from earlier reports, particularly in the area of fundamental rights. It said recent legislative changes have narrowed civic space and limited the work of civil society organizations, independent media, and human rights defenders.
Rather than reversing course, the report said Georgian authorities have defended these measures by invoking national sovereignty, despite commitments made during the visa liberalization process. A formal request sent to Tbilisi earlier this year for updates on reforms produced no evidence of meaningful progress, according to the Commission.
Concerns were also raised about Georgia's migration and visa policies. The report criticized Tbilisi for diverging from EU standards, including granting visa-free entry to Chinese citizens and maintaining arrangements that allow entry for nationals of several visa-required countries based on permits issued by Gulf states. The Commission warned that these practices could increase the risk of irregular migration to the EU.
Security issues linked to Russia were another focus. The report noted the sharp increase in Russian citizens residing in Georgia since the invasion of Ukraine and warned that the growing diaspora could be exploited for foreign influence operations. It also flagged risks associated with simplified citizenship procedures, saying they may be misused and should be brought in line with EU law.
While asylum applications from Georgian nationals declined in 2024 compared to the previous year, the Commission said the numbers remain high enough to concern some member states.
The report also cited setbacks in anti-corruption reforms and weaknesses in identity management systems, warning that name-change procedures could be abused to evade EU entry bans.
