Holders of Georgian diplomatic, service passports will no longer be able to enter Lithuania without Schengen visas
On 30 May, Resolution No. 362, passed by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on 21 May 2025, implementing Council Decision (EU) 2025/170, which suspends visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and officials to Lithuania, entered into force. This was done in implementing the Decision (EU) 2025/170 of the Council of 27 January 2025 on the partial suspension of the application of the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement.
The EU and its member states took the decision as a reaction to the efforts by Georgia’s ruling party to stifle the voices of opposition political parties, civil society organisations, journalists, and the people of Georgia protesting against the actions of the Georgian Dream, which is anti-democratic, restrictive of human freedoms and fundamental rights and seen as incompatible with EU values and standards. To suppress dissent, the ruling party in Georgia uses its power structures, the judicial system, and legislative initiatives that are incompatible with EU law.
The requirement to obtain valid visas is introduced only for holders of Georgian diplomatic and service passports. Other Georgian nationals who are holders of biometric passports will continue to benefit from the visa exemption when travelling to the Schengen area for short stays.
Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, and Estonia have already suspended the visa-free travel regime for Georgian diplomats and officials.
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