Georgian citizens remain among the most frequently expelled nationalities from the EU. According to Eurostat, 4,200 Georgian citizens were expelled from EU countries in the first half of 2026, including 2,140 in the second quarter alone. Only Turkey and Syria recorded higher figures in Q2. Germany, France and Poland accounted for the largest number of expulsions among EU member states, all of which have significant Georgian migrant populations.
Georgia’s visa-free regime with the EU includes a readmission agreement, under which citizens who violate EU stay rules can be returned to Georgia. International relations specialist Aleksandre Mishveladze told BMG that the agreement, which took effect in March 2011, was a key condition for visa liberalization. He argued that the Georgian government is not doing enough to combat irregular migration and said insufficient cooperation with Europol and Frontex, as well as the open advertising of illegal migration services, creates a risk to visa-free travel.
Last year, 10,475 Georgian citizens were expelled from the EU, putting Georgia second among nationalities after Turkey. Former Georgian ambassador to Germany Elguja Khokrishvili attributed the high level of migration primarily to economic hardship, saying unemployment, poverty and limited opportunities are pushing Georgians to seek asylum abroad. Former European Parliament adviser Tamar Gugulashvili similarly said the figures point to difficult economic, political and social conditions in Georgia. According to Geostat, 58,799 Georgian citizens emigrated in 2025, compared with more than 163,000 in 2023.
Migration also has a significant economic impact through remittances. Georgians send more than $3 billion back to the country annually, with EU countries accounting for around 45% of incoming remittances. At the same time, the continued high number of expulsions and irregular migration raises concerns about the sustainability of Georgia’s visa-free regime with the EU, particularly if cooperation on preventing irregular migration does not improve.
