Home » EUROPE » Poland Pushes To End EU Visa-Free Privileges For Georgia As Migration Surges And Democratic Setbacks Raise Alarms
Friday, June 13, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Poland’s Initiative: Poland is actively seeking backing from other EU member states to revoke visa-free access for Georgian citizens using ordinary passports.
- Current Status for Regular Passport Holders: Georgian nationals holding standard passports currently benefit from visa-free short-term entry into the European Union.
- Diplomatic Passport Restrictions: Visa-free privileges have already been revoked for Georgian diplomatic passport holders, signaling a partial suspension already in place.
Poland Pushes for End to Visa-Free Travel for Georgian Citizens Amid Concerns Over Migration and Democratic Standards
Poland is actively calling on fellow European Union member states to reconsider the visa-free travel privileges currently extended to citizens of Georgia. The proposal comes amid growing concerns about increased migration and what EU officials view as democratic regression in the country.
During a recent parliamentary session, Poland’s leadership made a formal appeal to other EU countries, urging them to collectively assess the risks associated with continuing to allow Georgian citizens visa-free access for short-term stays. The push aligns with broader discussions within the EU about the need to reassess visa exemptions in response to evolving political and security dynamics.
Officials pointed to a noticeable rise in irregular migration from Georgia as well as concerns about the country’s political trajectory. These developments have prompted Poland to spearhead efforts aimed at limiting or suspending Georgia’s current travel privileges within the Schengen Zone. According to officials, the goal is to build a consensus among EU partners that would pave the way for either a full or partial suspension of visa-free entry for Georgian nationals using regular passports.
While authorities acknowledged that a considerable segment of the Georgian population continues to support European democratic values, they emphasized the urgency of taking preemptive measures to safeguard both national and regional security. The move, they stressed, is not intended to target Georgia in isolation but reflects a broader reassessment of how visa exemptions are applied across the EU.
The Polish government has also clarified that its concerns extend beyond just one country. Officials have made it clear that they are advocating for a more robust approach to visa policy, especially for countries that are perceived to be straying from democratic norms or posing potential risks to public order. This includes a reassessment of travel privileges for other nations as well, should similar conditions arise.
Existing Restrictions on Georgian Diplomatic Passport Holders
The call to end visa-free access for Georgian citizens builds on earlier measures already adopted by the European Union. In a significant step earlier this year, the Council of the EU enacted a partial suspension of its visa facilitation agreement with Georgia. This decision specifically targeted Georgian diplomats and holders of official passports.
Under this partial suspension, individuals with diplomatic status from Georgia are no longer permitted to enter certain EU countries without a visa. They are now required to undergo the full visa application process, which includes meeting standard requirements, adhering to regular processing times, and paying the applicable Schengen visa fees.
The suspension reflects the EU’s growing use of travel policy as a means of applying diplomatic pressure. By imposing these new requirements on officials rather than regular citizens, the EU initially sought to express its dissatisfaction with specific actions taken by the Georgian government while minimizing the impact on ordinary travelers. However, recent developments suggest that broader measures may now be considered necessary.
EU Member States Backing the Suspension
Several EU countries have already moved to implement the Council’s decision regarding diplomatic passport holders from Georgia. Among them are Poland, Germany, France, Lithuania, and Estonia—nations that have formally endorsed the partial suspension and adjusted their entry procedures accordingly.
This growing support within the EU underscores the seriousness of the concerns being raised. With key countries already enforcing stricter entry rules for Georgian officials, the groundwork appears to be forming for potentially wider restrictions that could eventually affect all Georgian travelers, including those using standard passports.
As the EU continues to evaluate the implications of its visa policies, Georgia’s access to the bloc remains under close scrutiny. While no final decision has yet been made regarding the complete suspension of visa-free entry for Georgian citizens, the current momentum suggests that significant changes could be on the horizon.
