Georgia's Foreign Agents Registration Act Comes Into Force
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, June 2, 2025
The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) officially came into effect in Georgia on May 31, 2025.
The law requires individuals and organizations deemed to be acting on behalf of a foreign principal to register with the Anti-Corruption Bureau within ten days. The Bureau has launched a dedicated website with an online portal for registration and accepting related documents.
Those who fail to register face penalties including fines up to 10,000 Georgian Lari, imprisonment for up to five years, and possible deportation for foreign nationals. Citizens are also encouraged to report suspected violations through the portal.
The law has specific registration criteria and obligations but does not clarify all details about who qualifies as a foreign agent.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau is responsible for monitoring compliance and enforcement.
International reactions to the new law have been overwhelmingly negative. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Marta Kos called the act a "serious setback for the country's democracy," warning it suppresses dissent and shrinks the space for civil society and independent media.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry echoed these concerns, stating the law seeks to suppress independent voices in Georgia and expressed support for civil society's human rights work.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna condemned the law as part of a broader crackdown on democracy by the ruling Georgian Dream party, saying it violates democratic principles and derails Georgia's path toward European integration.
Despite the criticism, the Georgian government maintains that the law will promote transparency and accountability regarding foreign influence.
