Georgia introduces additional checks at checkpoints for Georgian citizens travelling to EU

Georgia will introduce additional verification at Georgian border checkpoints for Georgian citizens travelling to Schengen countries from January 1, 2021 to make sure they fulfil the existing Schengen entry criteria.

• How I entered EU without visa

EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell visited Tbilisi International Airport earlier today to see how these checks will be implemented and what Georgian citizens can expect.

Visa free travel is one of the most visible successes in EU-Georgia relations, and it is crucial we prevent abuses and ensure it functions as well as possible. These are not new restrictions or new conditions. The only difference is that the checks will be conducted already before departure from Georgia, not only when arriving in EU/Schengen. We are communicating with the Georgian and EU authorities to ensure that these checks will be implemented as smoothly as possible and in line with international standards and regulations,” Hartzell stated. 

A citizen of Georgia may be refused the right to depart from Georgia if he/she is prohibited from entering any EU/Schengen area country or fails to submit the documents required by law.

The documents are as follows: 

• Biometric passport issued in the last 10 years, valid for at least three months from the date of leaving the EU / Schengen area. 
• A valid refundable travel ticket or a valid booking document for such a travel ticket.
• A valid booking document for a hotel or other accommodation.
• Health travel insurance document.
• A means of financing a trip or a document proving the financing of a trip.

In case of travel for conferences, seminars, business meetings, in addition to the above documents it is recommended that the traveler bring an invitation document. 

In case of using medical services, traveling for a short-term medical course or operation, it is desirable for the traveler to have the following documents:

• Consent of the medical institution where the treatment is planned and or the recommendation of the Georgian medical institution to carry out the relevant treatment in the EU / Schengen member state. 
• Proof of travel and medical financing with cash, valid passenger electronic card or a transfer confirmation document.

The visa liberalisation agreement between Georgia and the EU was launched in June, 2012, and entered into force on March 28, 2017. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

Georgian citizens enjoy visa-free travel to the following EU / Schengen member states:

Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Greece, France, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Finland, Czech Republic, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Sweden, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania.

Visa-free travel is possible for the following purposes no more than 90 days in any 180-day period:

• Tourism.
• Visiting family members, relatives, friends.
• Business trips.
• Participation in international seminars, conferences, symposia and exhibitions.
• Participation in short-term training courses and trainings, exchange training / internship programs;
• Use of medical services - short-term treatment course,surgery.

If the 90-day stay is exceeded, the stay in the territory of the EU / Schengen country will be considered illegal. Such a person may be expelled and banned from entering the territory of an EU / Schengen member state for a period of up to five years. In addition, a fine of up to 3,000 euros may be imposed.