Georgia Risks Losing EU Visa-Free Travel Amid Political Standoff

Georgia’s coveted visa-free travel arrangement with the European Union is in serious jeopardy after a deadline set by Brussels passed, with Tbilisi showing no signs of reversing its controversial policies. The EU had warned that it would seriously consider suspending the right of Georgian citizens to travel freely within the Schengen Area unless the government returned to a democratic path.

Instead of complying, the ruling “Georgian Dream” party has intensified its crackdown on dissent. Shortly before the deadline expired, authorities froze the bank accounts of several non-governmental organizations, accusing them of financing unrest and attempting to organize a coup. This move directly defies key EU demands, which include releasing political prisoners, repealing repressive legislation like the “foreign agent” law, and ending the persecution of civil society.

An EU embassy statement confirmed that the European Commission will assess Georgia’s compliance in a future report. A decision to suspend the visa-free regime requires the agreement of 15 out of 27 member states, meaning support for Tbilisi from countries like Hungary or Slovakia may not be enough to block the measure. The move has been framed as a multi-stage process involving all relevant EU institutions.

International condemnation of the Georgian government’s actions has been swift. Sweden’s Foreign Ministry called the asset freeze “another step in the wrong direction for Georgian democracy,” while the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office stated the move appeared “politically motivated and aimed at silencing these organizations.” Both nations urged Georgian authorities to cease the pressure on civil society and engage in dialogue to resolve the political crisis.

In a sharp rebuttal, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili accused the UK of its own interference, claiming it had previously attempted to fund “organizations with an extremist agenda.” This escalation has fueled speculation, with opposition figures now claiming that London is preparing sanctions against 15 individuals linked to “Georgian Dream,” including its powerful founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Political analyst Petre Mamradze puts the probability of losing visa-free travel at over 50%, stating that the EU’s goal may be to bolster the opposition and spark renewed anti-government protests. He noted that while the loss of visa-free travel would be a blow, it might also have the unintended effect of reducing deportations from the EU, as the regime is often misused. Nevertheless, tensions are expected to rise, with many anticipating a new wave of demonstrations in Tbilisi in the coming weeks.