Georgia’s Access To Europe: How losing EU-Visa Free travel will affect our future

In recent months, discussions about Georgia potentially losing visa-free travel with the European Union have raised widespread concern, not only in the political sphere but among ordinary citizens, students, and professionals. Since its introduction in 2017, the visa-free travel has symbolized Georgia’s trust-based partnership with Europe and its progress toward democratic values. For many Georgians, it represented more than a political movement – it was a sign of belonging to Europe’s social, cultural, and educational space. 

To understand the ongoing events and what’s at stake, we spoke with 3 scholars: philosopher Levan Ghambashidze, education expert and international development researcher Simon Janashia, and professor of political science George Mchedlishvili. The scholars discussed the significance of visa-free travel, how recent political developments have put it at risk, and what losing it could mean for Georgia’s future. Their insights reveal not only the political consequences of such a loss but also its psychological and societal impact on a country that sees itself as a part of Europe. 

To briefly explain and cover the significance of EU-Visa Free travel and what it allows us to do, Mr. Simon explains: “Visa-free travel permits Georgian citizens to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within 180 days for tourism, business, family visits, short education programs, but not for work or long-term residence. This diplomatic achievement symbolized trust from the EU and integration with Europe. The policy encouraged people-to-people connections and business relations, giving people the ability to attend conferences. For example, travelling to Europe to learn more about modern agricultural practices, new techniques, technologies, and approaches, and then bringing that knowledge back to improve local production in Georgia. People also used this visa-free travel for medical reasons.”

Mr. George also attests to those points with a personal story: “I had this feeling every time I went to the German embassy or the British embassy; I felt like a second-class citizen compared to the other Europeans due to the visa-related procedures. I had to wait for a couple of weeks until the visa was approved, and I always got it approved only thanks to conference invitations. But apart from that, I couldn't travel to see my very good friends, my classmates, my university friends, my relatives who lived in European countries, and I felt like a second-class citizen in terms of the European space.” He also describes the change he felt after visa-free travel was introduced: “Overnight, this sensation disappeared.
We are obviously European culturally, but I felt that we were European in terms of actual travel space.”

All of these advantages we have acquired from this visa reform have changed our current political and social reality immensely. So, what would really happen if we were to lose it and return to the period before 2017 due to our domestic problems and leadership corruption? Mr. Levan spoke about three main issues that would result from this loss. First, a question about our psychological association with Europe: “Georgian culture is part of European culture, so losing that privilege would create a mental barrier, as if we’ve once again been left beyond the border. This would feel deeply unfair, because for most Georgians, that barrier is an artificially, politically created one.

“Second, visa-free travel allows many people to actually experience Europe firsthand. They can see what prosperity looks like and what justice looks like, not necessarily by attending court hearings, but simply by observing how police treat citizens, how free people express themselves, realizing that this kind of coexistence is possible. Those myths spread by Russian propaganda that Europe is full of poverty, immorality, and injustice are simply lies. It's difficult to convince someone otherwise once they’ve seen the reality with their own eyes.”

The third effect is concerned with problems of migration and employment for Georgians. Many adults and even students base their livelihood on going to Europe to find jobs and earn income in euros, which gives them the means to return home. Mr. Levan stated that there is a psychological difference between being a migrant and going abroad temporarily for work: “When you have no other option but to leave permanently, go through official procedures, and effectively become a citizen of another country, it forces a painful inner choice: do you live there and become a citizen of that country, or do you stay and preserve your bond with your homeland? Many Georgians would face that dilemma, which is truly sad.” 

The potential travel restriction is not as damaging for close-future university students, since the necessary study visas have been available before 2017, and Georgians have been studying in EU countries for a long time. However, as Mr. George emphasized, in terms of our families, their visits, and time spent in the EU, it would be very restricted, and many graduate students who have already tied their future to Europe would be the ones most limited in their opportunities. Mr. Simon additionally said that students would face more barriers to short-term programs, youth exchanges, or research trips: “Applying for visas means more paperwork, costs, and uncertainty, which is often discouraging for students. It would limit their exposure to European education and culture.”

To summarize, all of our respondents have highlighted the consequences that would follow in a domino effect if our visa-free travel to the EU was suspended. Our country’s domestic political turmoil and shortcomings on the international stage, resulting from fraudulent elections, corrupt government, and growing polarization between the wishes of Georgian citizens and politicians, will not only take away our ability to travel without the burden of complex bureaucratic documents, but also shake the very foundation of our claim to European statehood and our accession to the EU. 

Written by Elene Kotrikadze

Edited by Ninia Kadagidze and Elene Mosiashvili