Georgia will introduce additional verification at the border checkpoints for Georgian citizens travelling to Schengen countries from 2021. The checks are needed to meet the existing Schengen criteria.

EU Ambassador Carl Hartzell visited Tbilisi airport on Wednesday to observe the verification process.

From 01/01/2021, Georgia will introduce verification at Georgian border checkpoints for Georgian citizens travelling to Schengen countries.
EU Ambassador @CarlHartzellEU visited Tbilisi airport to see how these checks will be implemented.
?https://t.co/sQ9VLhzINf pic.twitter.com/CrGF073NEZ

— EU Delegation Georgia ?? (@EUinGeorgia) December 30, 2020

“Visa-free travel is one of the most visible successes in EU-Georgia relations, and we must prevent abuses and ensure it functions as well as possible,” the EU Ambassador said.

“The new departure checks to be introduced upon travel from Georgia to the EU/Schengen area are part of this effort. These are not new restrictions or new conditions. The only difference is that starting January 1, 2021, the verification would be implemented before departure from Georgia instead of the only check upon arrival to the EU/Schengen zone.

We are communicating with relevant Georgian and EU authorities to ensure that these checks will be conducted as smoothly as possible and in line with international standards and regulations. I am looking forward to seeing continued, strong growth in visa-free travelling between the EU and Georgia in the years to come,” Hartzell stressed.