Georgian citizens to be screened for entry to EU/Schengen at Georgian border checkpoints

Georgian citizens will now be screened at border checkpoints while traveling to the EU or Schengen zone in addition to facing checks at their destination. 

The change has come into force today.

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

All documentation required by Schengen regulations will have to be presented. 

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,” says the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.

Circumstances taken into account during the checks will include the documentation of a passenger, history of the person’s travel in an EU member state/Schengen area and purpose of travel. 

Moreover, risk factors will be taken into account such as:

• violation of the period (s) of legal residence of a person in an EU member/Schengen area
• previous refusal to cross the Georgian border and the reason for the refusal
• refusal to enter any EU member state/Schengen area
• history of travel to any EU member state/Schengen area with altered identification (name)

The rule applies to Georgian citizens wishing to travel to an EU/Schengen area with the visa-free regime by direct flight or through transit.

Which documents do Georgian citizens need to cross Georgian border?

• biometric passport issued during the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months from the date of leaving the EU/Schengen area
• a valid return travel ticket or a valid booking document for such a travel ticket
• a valid booking document for a hotel or other accommodation
• travel insurance 
• financial capability for traveling

If a person is participating in conferences, seminars or official meetings, in addition to the documents listed above, it is recommended for a passenger to have an invitation to the event/conference/seminar/programme.

• Georgia opens borders unconditionally for Germany, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia

If a person is traveling to use medical services of for a short-term medical course/surgery, in addition to the documents listed above it is recommended a passenger to have consent of the medical institution where the treatment is planned and/or the recommendation of the Georgian medical institution to conduct the relevant treatment in the EU/Schengen member state. In addition, it is recommended for him (her) to prove the financial capability for treatment

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.

The duration of any such visit shall not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

Georgian nationals shall respect:

• entry conditions to EU/Schengen member states
• duration of stay – no more than 90 days in any 180-day period
• local laws and regulations (traffic rules, public order, etc.)

Visa-free travel is possible for the following purposes:

• 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