The European Union has warned Tbilisi that its visa-free regime could be suspended unless Georgia meets democratic standards by August 31. On July 14, Georgia’s Foreign Ministry received a letter listing the conditions; it was signed by Beate Gminder, head of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs.
Brussels called for the release of dozens of people detained during pro-European protests, the repeal of the “foreign agents” law, and the withdrawal of measures that, in the EU’s view, restrict the rights of LGBTQ people. The European Commission said that continued non-compliance could trigger the visa suspension mechanism under Article 8 of the Visa Regulation.
Georgia obtained visa-free travel with the EU in March 2017 after successfully fulfilling the terms of its Association Agreement. Now Brussels is dissatisfied with the outcome of the latest parliamentary elections, repressive legislation, pressure on the opposition, and what it sees as a broader slide toward authoritarianism.
After the EU foreign ministers’ meeting on July 15, Kaja Kallas said the bloc had long avoided hurting Georgian society by revoking visa liberalization, but failure to meet the conditions had to carry consequences.
Georgia’s authorities reject the criticism and describe the Commission’s demands as blackmail. In recent weeks, the disputed laws have not been repealed, while civic activists and many opposition leaders remain in custody. Earlier, at the start of 2025, the EU had already revoked visa-free travel not for all Georgians, but only for holders of diplomatic and service passports.
Under current rules, the procedure can be initiated either by the European Commission or by a single EU member state, and approval requires a qualified majority of member states. Visa-free travel could first be suspended for 12 months and then for another two years. If no compromise is reached, the regime could ultimately be abolished altogether.