Today, the European Commission is suspending visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic, service, and official passports. They are now required to be in possession of a visa when entering the Schengen area for official purposes. It is the first time that the new reinforced visa suspension mechanism is applied. This decision follows the approval by Member States.
The visa suspension mechanism is activated in response to Georgia's deliberate and persisting violation of the commitments taken under its visa-free regime in key areas of democracy and fundamental rights.
Visa liberalisation aims to foster people-to-people contacts and promote shared values, including respect for human rights and democratic principles. The actions of the Georgian authorities since October 2024, including crackdown on protesters, opposition politicians, and independent media, have negatively impacted the situation in Georgia and resulted in breaches of several fundamental rights and international legal standards. Georgia has also refused to align with the EU visa policy, which is an essential condition of maintaining visa-free travel. The Commission considers that the actions of Georgian authorities undermine the principles on which visa liberalisation is based.
In addition, the Commission adopted today guidelines for Member States' consulate authorities and border guards, to support Member States in an effective implementation of the decision to suspend visa-free travel.
The guidelines recommend heightened scrutiny of all Georgian nationals crossing the EU's external borders: representatives of Georgian authorities have to use their diplomatic or service passport when travelling to the EU for official and diplomatic purposes. Not doing so, may result in the issuance of an entry ban.
Member States should also ensure that all Georgian nationals are checked against national and European databases, such as the Visa Information System, Schengen Information System, and other public databases. The Entry/Exit System, which is being gradually rolled out in the EU since October last year, provides for an additional layer of security screening.
In addition, when holders of Georgian diplomatic, service, and official passports apply for a Schengen visa, Member States are encouraged to carry out a thorough screening, conducting an interview and requesting supporting documents from these applicants. Member States should refuse visas in case of any doubts about the reliability of the information provided by the applicants.
