EU Moves to Suspend Visa-Free Travel for Georgian Diplomatic Passport Holders
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, January 23, 2026
The European Commission has initiated a procedure to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports, Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said on January 21. The suspension would apply across all EU member states and could later be expanded to the broader Georgian population.
Lammert said the move is based on the Commission's assessment that actions taken by Georgian authorities contradict the principles underpinning visa-free travel, including respect for human rights and democratic standards.
"The Commission considers that the actions of the Georgian authorities undermine these principles and are inconsistent with the norms and values of the Union," he said.
According to Lammert, the Commission has already forwarded its assessment to the European Parliament and the Council. Once approved, the suspension would be applied uniformly by all member states, unlike previous measures that relied on individual national decisions.
When asked whether visa-free travel could be suspended for all Georgian citizens, Lammert said this remains a possibility if democratic backsliding continues, but emphasized that such a step would require a separate decision and is not automatic. He also clarified that the measure targets specific passport categories, not individuals.
Diplomatic and service passport holders from Georgia lost visa-free access to the EU in January 2025, though implementation depended on member-state approval. The new mechanism allows for faster and mandatory enforcement across the bloc.
