EU Commission Warns Georgia on Possible Suspension of Visa-Free Travel
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, July 17, 2025
The European Commission has formally warned the Georgian Dream government that visa-free travel for Georgian citizens to the European Union could be suspended if key recommendations are not fulfilled by the end of August. The warning came in a letter addressed to Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili following the July 15 meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
The letter, signed by Beate Gminder, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, outlines eight recommendations Georgia must implement. These include repealing restrictive laws targeting civil society and LGBTQ+ rights, aligning visa policy with the EU's, and strengthening anti-corruption efforts.
"I would like to ask you to update the Commission on the implementation of these recommendations and, if not already done, to take appropriate measures to address the issues raised in all Commission recommendations," Gminder writes.
"The Commission will assess the compliance with the recommendations in the context of the next visa suspension mechanism report," she continues. "Based on this assessment, in case of persisting non-compliance the Commission could take appropriate measures on the basis of the Article 8 of the revised Visa Regulation, specifically activating the visa suspension mechanism."
Georgia has enjoyed visa-free travel to the EU since 2017. The letter describes this as a "key milestone" in EU-Georgia relations and says it has provided "tangible benefits" to Georgian citizens.
The Commission cites concerns raised in its most recent evaluation. "On December 6, the European Commission adopted the Seventh Visa Suspension Mechanism Report," the letter reads. It adds that the report "underlined serious breaches of fundamental rights and freedoms by Georgia, including in relation to violations of the principle of non-discrimination contradicting relevant European and international standards."
The letter emphasizes the need to repeal the Law on "transparency of foreign influence" and the legislative package on "family values and protection of minors." It also urges the Georgian government to amend its human rights strategy to fully uphold the rights of LGBTIQ persons, and to revise the Law on the Anti-Corruption Bureau to guarantee its independence and neutrality.
A separate letter was sent to Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, Georgia's Head of Mission to the EU, with similar content and a request for an update by the end of August.
The Commission did not refer to recent developments in Georgia, including new legislation passed by the ruling Georgian Dream party and its November 2024 announcement to halt the country's EU accession process. However, the letter reiterates that visa-free access is conditional.
"I count on your cooperation in addressing this important matter and I reaffirm the EU's continued commitment to strong and values-based relations with Georgia," Gminder concludes.
The EU had already suspended visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic and service passports in January.
The letter includes an annex listing the eight recommendations in full:
1. Ensure and uphold the protection of fundamental rights of all Georgian citizens, including the freedoms of association, assembly and expression, the right to privacy, the right to participate in public affairs, and the prohibition of discrimination.
2. Avoid and repeal any legislation that may restrict fundamental rights and freedoms, go against the principle of non-discrimination and contradict relevant European and international standards. In particular, repeal the Law on "transparency of foreign influence" and the legislative package on "family values and protection of minors," and amend the national strategy and action plan on human rights to ensure that the rights of LGBTIQ persons are fully upheld.
3. Align Georgia's visa policy with the EU list of visa-required third countries, particularly regarding countries presenting irregular migration or security risks to the EU.
4. Step up action to address the issue of unfounded asylum applications and irregular stays in EU member states, including targeted information campaigns and stricter border checks.
5. Set up an Asset Recovery Office and Asset Management Office, and continue efforts in asset tracing, freezing, management, confiscation and disposal.
6. Adopt a new anti-corruption strategy and action plan with adequate resources for implementation, and prioritize high-level corruption cases.
7. Amend the Law on the Anti-Corruption Bureau to meet key Venice Commission recommendations, especially regarding the bureau's independence, political neutrality and functions.
8. Align the Law on Personal Data Protection with the EU acquis.
The EU will review Georgia's compliance with these recommendations in the upcoming visa suspension mechanism report.
