Georgia will inevitably reach the point where visa-free travel to the EU is suspended for holders of ordinary passports unless the ruling Georgian Dream party takes steps to address the bloc’s concerns, international relations expert Aleksandre Mishvelidze has warned.
Speaking on the Business Course programme, Mishvelidze said the EU’s decision to maintain visa-free travel for Georgian citizens despite years of democratic backsliding reflects political will. However, he warned that Georgia could lose the privilege if the government does not change its rhetoric and policies.
He noted that the EU has introduced a simplified mechanism for suspending visa-free travel. Under the revised rules, an initial suspension lasts 12 months, followed by a possible extension. The first such measure against Georgia took effect on March 6, 2026, applying to holders of diplomatic and service passports. Mishvelidze said the European Commission had already informed Georgian officials in July 2025 of the steps required to meet visa liberalisation commitments, but the relevant legislation had instead become more restrictive.
According to Mishvelidze, the continued implementation of what he described as draconian laws, alongside a rise in asylum applications from Georgian citizens in the EU, could ultimately lead to visa-free travel being suspended for ordinary passport holders. The European Commission’s latest enlargement report has also warned that actions by the Georgian authorities are putting the visa-free regime at risk, citing concerns over democracy and fundamental rights.
