The European Commission has proposed suspending visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats, officials, and their families in response to violent crackdowns on pro-EU protests in Georgia. If approved, they will require visas for short EU stays, while ordinary Georgian citizens remain unaffected.
The move follows Georgia’s decision to delay EU membership talks until 2028, sparking widespread protests. EU Foreign Ministers agreed on December 16 to suspend the visa-free regime for diplomatic passport holders. The proposal also ends visa facilitation benefits like reduced fees and faster processing.
Hungary and Slovakia opposed further sanctions on Georgian officials, while EU leaders criticized Georgia’s handling of the protests and lack of alignment with EU values.
