EU suspends diplomatic visas for Georgia

The European Commission has decided to suspend the visa-free travel regime for holders of Georgian diplomatic, service, and official passports. As of today, these individuals are required to apply for a visa to enter the Schengen Area for official purposes.

This constitutes a historical precedent: it is the first time the new enhanced visa suspension mechanism, which came into force in December 2025, has been applied.

The decision comes in response to what Brussels defines as a deliberate and persistent violation of the commitments made by Tbilisi regarding the visa-free regime, particularly in the areas of democracy and fundamental rights. The Commission has targeted the actions of the Georgian authorities since October 2024: the crackdown on protesters, pressure on opposition politicians and independent media, and the refusal to align with European visa policy, a condition deemed essential for maintaining liberalization.

Representatives of Georgian institutions traveling to the EU for diplomatic or official purposes must now use their diplomatic or service passports. Those who fail to do so could face an entry ban. The guidelines adopted today by the Commission also recommend that member states subject all Georgian citizens to in-depth checks against European and national databases, including the Visa Information System (VIS) and the Schengen Information System (SIS).

The suspension is temporary and will last 12 months, until March 6, 2027, but could be extended to 24 months if Tbilisi fails to take action to correct its course. The Commission also reserves the possibility of extending the measure to all Georgian citizens, not just holders of official passports.

Photo EP-164918A Copyright: © European Union 2024 – Source : EP