EU suspends visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders

The European Union has suspended visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic, service and official passports, with the measure taking effect on 6 March and set to remain in force for an initial 12 months.

The European Commission on Friday said the suspension will remain in place until 6 March 2027, but could be extended for up to 24 months if concerns related to governance and the rule of law in Georgia are not addressed.

The Commission also warned that the measures could potentially be expanded to cover all Georgian citizens if the situation does not improve.

“The responsibility for improving the situation lies with the Georgian authorities,” the Commission said, urging the government to engage constructively in addressing the concerns.

EU foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas said the decision reflected the bloc’s response to what it described as democratic backsliding in Georgia.

“If a government attacks its own people, silences journalists and restricts freedoms, there are consequences,” Kallas said, adding that the EU had already suspended certain funding to Georgia for the same reasons.

She stressed that the EU continued to support the Georgian people. “Georgians have our full support, but there is no place in our Union for those who represent repression,” she said.

European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said this was the first time the EU had applied its new visa suspension mechanism. The decision followed approval by EU member states.

The Commission has also issued guidance to consular authorities and border officials in EU member states to ensure the effective implementation of the measure. Georgian citizens crossing EU external borders will face enhanced checks aimed at preventing attempts to circumvent the new rules, Lammert added.