Ultimately, Georgia may completely lose its visa-free regime status. This is stated in the 8th report on the Visa Suspension Mechanism published by the European Commission.

The European Commission concludes that “Georgia has experienced significant regression in key requirements related to governance and the rule of law, which form the basis for granting visa-free travel.”

“Similarly, Georgia has also experienced regression in the areas of visa alignment and the fight against corruption. This situation is a clear example of backtracking from the commitments undertaken during the visa liberalization process and undermines the mutual trust on which the visa-free regime is based,” the report states.

The European Commission notes that, “given the systemic and deliberate nature of this backsliding,” it is considering appropriate measures within the framework of the updated visa suspension mechanism.

Under the new rules, at the first stage, the suspension of visa-free travel may apply to holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports issued by the Government of Georgia, who are largely responsible for the failure to implement the European Commission’s recommendations.

At the second stage, the suspension [of visa-free travel] may be extended to the entire population if the problems are not resolved by the Government of Georgia. Ultimately, Georgia may fully lose its visa-free status and be transferred to Annex I of the visa regulation (the list of third countries whose nationals are required to obtain visas).

The report also notes that on 14 July 2025, the European Commission sent a formal letter to the Government of Georgia, stressing the need to continue fulfilling visa liberalization requirements and requesting detailed information on the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the 7th report on the Visa Suspension Mechanism.

However, the European Commission did not receive any information from Georgia indicating substantial progress in implementing its recommendations. In most cases, no corrective measures were adopted, while in several others the situation further deteriorated.

The report states that the European Commission’s concerns are linked to several legislative acts adopted in Georgia, in particular: the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, the Law on Family Values and the Protection of Minors, the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and amendments introduced to the Law on Grants, the Law on Political Assemblies of Citizens, the Administrative Offences Code, the Law on Broadcasting, and the Criminal Code.

According to the European Commission, these laws and amendments restrict fundamental rights and freedoms and contradict Georgia’s European and other international obligations. Instead of amending them, the Government of Georgia has openly defended these measures, invoking national sovereignty and disregarding the commitments undertaken during the visa liberalization dialogue.