Accession of Georgia to the European Union

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The accession of Georgia to the European Union (EU) is on the current agenda for future enlargement of the EU.

Accession of Georgia to the European Union
StatusCandidate (unscreeneed)
Application
European perspective23 June 2022
Membership application3 March 2022
Screened & negotiations commence
Negotiations
Chapters closed
Memberships & Treaties
Association Agreement
Economic and monetary policy
Travel
Energy
Foreign and military policy
Human rights and international courts
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Impact (27+1)
Population446,828,803450,731,931
Area4,233,262 km2
1,634,472 mi2		4,303,962 km2
HDI0.896
GDP (PPP)$25.399 trillion
GDP per capita (PPP)$56,928
GDP$17.818 trillion
GDP per capita$39,940
Gini30.0
Official Languages2425
(+1) (Georgian)

Following an application by Georgia in March 2022, the EU established Georgia's eligibility to become a member of the Union, recognizing the country as a potential candidate. On 8 November 2023, the European Commission issued an official recommendation to grant candidate status to Georgia, which was confirmed on 14 December 2023.

On 28 November 2024, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia's EU accession negotiations had been suspended until the end of 2028, though he added that his government would continue to implement the reforms required for accession and that it still planned for Georgia to join the EU by 2030.

It is one of nine current EU candidate countries, together with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.

History

The European Union and Georgia have maintained relations since 1992, following an agreement between the former European Community and the newly independent Georgia. In April 1996, Georgia, along with Armenia and Azerbaijan, signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with the European Union. On 12 January 2002, the European Parliament noted that Georgia may enter the EU in the future. In 2006, a five-year "Action Plan" of rapprochement was implemented in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). In 2009, relations between the two were further upgraded under the auspices of Eastern Partnership.[citation needed]

In March 2013, the Parliament of Georgia passed a bipartisan resolution supporting the integration into the European Union and NATO. The resolution was drafted jointly by the two largest political parties, Georgian Dream and United National Movement, and was voted by 96 deputies. In 2016, a comprehensive Association Agreement between the EU and Georgia went into force, providing Georgia with visa-free travel to the EU, as well as access to some sectors of the European Single Market. Following Brexit, most of the existing EU-Georgia agreements applicable to the United Kingdom were renegotiated and agreed upon in 2019 bilaterally with the United Kingdom. In January 2021, Georgia was preparing to formally apply for EU membership in 2024. However, on 3 March 2022, Georgia submitted its membership application ahead of schedule, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In June 2022, the European Commission established Georgia's eligibility to become a member of the EU, but deferred giving it official candidate status until after certain conditions were met. Later that month, the European Council expressed readiness to grant Georgia the status of a candidate after completing a set of reforms recommended by the commission. On 8 November 2023, the European Commission recommended giving candidate status to Georgia. On 14 December 2023, Georgia was given candidate status by the EU.

Following the Georgian government's approval of legislation which would require non-governmental organizations to register as foreign agents or "organizations carrying the interests of a foreign power" and disclose the sources of their income if the funds they receive from abroad amount to more than 20% of their total revenue, which led to widespread protests in the country, the European Council stated in June 2024 that this represented "backsliding on the steps set out in the Commission's recommendation for candidate status" and that the accession process would be de facto on hold until the government changes course. On 9 July 2024, the EU ambassador in Georgia announced that the European Union had suspended the country's accession process as a result of the legislation. The European Union threatened Georgia with sanctions and suspension of relations if the country becomes a "one-party state" without political opposition following parliamentary elections in October 2024.

The 2024 Georgian parliamentary election resulted in Georgian Dream (GD) retaining power, but was disputed by opposition parties which claimed that the vote was not free and fair and was subject to widespread voter fraud. The European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution which rejected the validity of the results, and called for the vote to be repeated within a year. On 28 November 2024, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia's EU accession negotiations had been suspended until the end of 2028, though he added that his government would continue to implement the reforms required for accession and that it still planned for Georgia to join the EU by 2030. Kobakhidze's statement on suspending the EU accession negotiations triggered a new wave of protests, one of the biggest since Georgia's independence from the Soviet Union. The 2024 Georgian constitutional crisis continued, with Mikheil Kavelashvili being inaugurated by GD as president of Georgia, while Salome Zourabichvili continued to be seen by protestors (and herself) as retaining her legitimacy as president.

Treaties

Stabilisation and Association Agreement

To enhance their relationship, the EU and Georgia began negotiating an Association Agreement (AA) and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. In November 2012, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Stefan Fule stated that the AA negotiations could be finalized by November 2013. In February 2013, Tamar Beruchachvili, the Deputy State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Georgia, stated that Georgia had no plans to join the Eurasian Economic Union, which Fule has warned Ukraine would be incompatible with the agreements with the EU. A ceremony on the initialling of the AA by the Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton was held at the Eastern Partnership summit on 29 November 2013. It was formally signed on 27 June 2014, and had to be ratified by the EU, Euratom, their member states and Georgia. A second agreement, governing the country's involvement in EU crisis management operations, was also signed.

The Association Agreement, much of which provisionally came into force in September, has been fully ratified by Georgia and all EU member states. On 18 December 2014 the European Parliament approved the Association Agreement. Members backed the treaty by 490 votes in favour to 76 against, with 57 abstentions. The agreement entered into force on 1 July 2016.

Ratification

Ratification history
Signatory Date Institution AB Deposited Reference
Austria 8 July 2015 National Council Approved 28 August 2015
23 July 2015 Federal Council Approved
Presidential Assent Granted
Belgium
23 April 2015 Chamber of Representatives 101 17 20 1 February 2016
Royal Assent (federal law)
1 July 2015
Walloon
Parliament 		(regional)
(community)
63 2 4
61 2 4
22 June 2015 German-speaking Community 16 2 1
24 June 2015 French Community 71 0 8
20 November 2015 Brussels Regional Parliament 69 3 3
20 November 2015
Brussels United
Assembly 		(FR language)
(NL language)
53 3 1
14 0 2
17 June 2015
Flemish
Parliament 		(regional)
(community)
82 18
87 19
24 June 2015 COCOF Assembly 71 0 8
Bulgaria 24 July 2014 National Assembly 91 0 0 9 September 2014
28 July 2014 Presidential Assent Granted
Croatia 12 December 2014 Parliament 116 0 1 24 March 2015
18 December 2014 Presidential Assent Granted
Cyprus 7 May 2015 House of Representatives Approved 18 August 2015
22 May 2015 Presidential Assent Granted
Czech Republic 18 March 2015 Senate 56 0 6 12 June 2015
29 April 2015 Chamber of Deputies 116 1 51
19 May 2015 Presidential Assent Granted
Denmark 18 December 2014 Parliament 101 7 0 18 February 2015
Estonia 4 November 2014 Assembly 66 0 0 12 January 2015
13 November 2014 Presidential Assent Granted
European Union and EAEC 18 December 2014 European Parliament 490 76 57 19 April 2016 (EAEC)
23 May 2016 (EU)
Council of the European Union
Finland 10 March 2015 Parliament Approved 6 May 2015
24 April 2015 Presidential Assent Granted
France 29 October 2015 Senate Approved 15 December 2015
25 June 2015 National Assembly Approved
9 November 2015 Presidential Assent Granted
Germany 8 May 2015 Bundesrat Approved 22 July 2015
26 March 2015 Bundestag Approved
27 May 2015 Presidential Assent Granted
Georgia 18 July 2014 Parliament 123 0 0 25 July 2014
Presidential Assent Granted
Greece 18 November 2015 Parliament Approved 14 December 2015
24 November 2015 Presidential Promulgation Granted
Hungary 25 November 2014 National Assembly 127 6 0 7 April 2015
5 December 2014 Presidential Assent Granted
Ireland 27 January 2015 Dáil Éireann 58 19 0 17 April 2015
Italy 26 November 2015 Senate 202 37 10 3 February 2016
29 July 2015 Chamber of Deputies 310 93 34
7 December 2015 Presidential Assent Granted
Latvia 14 July 2014 Parliament 81 0 0 2 October 2014
18 July 2014 Presidential Assent Granted
Lithuania 8 July 2014 Parliament 84 0 1 29 July 2014
11 July 2014 Presidential Assent Granted
Luxembourg 18 March 2015 Chamber of Deputies 55 2 0 12 May 2015
12 April 2015 Grand Ducal Promulgation Granted
Malta 21 August 2014 House of Representatives Approved 29 August 2014
Netherlands 7 July 2015 Senate Adopted 21 September 2015
7 April 2015 House of Representatives 119 31 0
28 July 2015 Royal Promulgation Granted
Poland 5 March 2015 Senate 75 0 0 22 May 2015
6 February 2015 Sejm 439 0 1
26 March 2015 Presidential Assent Granted
Portugal 2 April 2015 National Assembly Approved 8 October 2015
19 May 2015 Presidential Assent Granted
Romania 2 July 2014 Chamber of Deputies 298 0 0 14 July 2014
3 July 2014 Senate 111 0 2
9 July 2014 Presidential Assent Granted
Slovakia 23 September 2014 National Council 117 0 1 21 October 2014
16 October 2014 Presidential Assent Granted
Slovenia 13 May 2015 National Assembly 69 3 0 27 July 2015
21 May 2015 Presidential Assent Granted
Spain 27 May 2015 Senate Approved 28 July 2015
30 April 2015 Congress of Deputies 303 0 1
Royal Assent Granted
Sweden 26 November 2014 Parliament 249 44 0 9 January 2015
United Kingdom 23 February 2015 House of Commons Approved 8 April 2015
9 March 2015 House of Lords Approved
19 March 2015 Royal Assent Granted

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The ratification was based on The European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Association Agreement) (Georgia) Order 2015, made in accordance with section 1(3) of the European Communities Act 1972, after having been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

The agreement applied to the United Kingdom as an EU-member state until Brexit on 31 January 2020. During the transition period that followed Brexit, until 31 December 2020, the agreement still applied to the UK.

Free trade area

The agreement established a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Georgia, including "the removal of import duties for most goods traded between the EU and Georgia" and "broad mutual access to trade in services for both partners".

Shifts in EU Accession efforts

Leading up to May 2025, although Georgia's constitution still mandated EU accession efforts, the Georgian Dream government led by Bidzina Ivanishvili increasingly distanced itself from Western alignment. A key development occurred in April 2024 when the country's State Security Service released an Annual Report accusing Western nations of attempting to destabilize the government through hybrid warfare, civil unrest, and ideological influence. The report, which echoed Russian narratives, claimed foreign powers were behind conspiracies to undermine Georgia's sovereignty, including allegations of U.S. and Ukrainian involvement in coup plots and assassination attempts against Georgian Dream leaders. This rhetoric marked a departure from Georgia's previous pro-Western stance, with the government framing domestic dissent and foreign influence as coordinated efforts against the nation's interests.

Public opinion

A March 2023 survey conducted by the International Republican Institute found that 85% of Georgians (70% 'fully', 15% 'somewhat') were in favour of EU membership, up from 75% before the start of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. In April 2023, a nationwide poll by the International Republican Institute found that 89 percent of Georgians support joining the EU, the highest number recorded for years.

According to the 2025 annual survey of opinion in Georgia, almost three-quarters of Georgians (74%) would vote for EU membership and only five per cent against if a referendum were held, with 80% saying membership would bring more advantages than disadvantages to the country.

Date Question Fully support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know/No answer
September 2022 – IRI EU membership 70% 15% 3% 7% 5%
March 2023 – IRI EU membership 75% 14% 3% 5% 3%

Negotiations

Georgia has not yet started the negotiation process.

Chapter and screening dates
Progression 0 / 35 0 / 35
 0 / 35
 0 / 35
Acquis chapter Screening started Screening completed Chapter opened Chapter closed
Overview 0 out of 35 0 out of 35 0 out of 35 0 out of 35
1. Free Movement of Goods
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services
4. Free Movement of Capital
5. Public Procurement
6. Company Law
7. Intellectual Property Law
8. Competition Policy
9. Financial Services
10. Information Society & Media
11. Agriculture & Rural Development
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy
13. Fisheries
14. Transport Policy
15. Energy
16. Taxation
17. Economic & Monetary Policy
18. Statistics
19. Social Policy & Employment
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy
21. Trans-European Networks
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights
24. Justice, Freedom & Security
25. Science & Research
26. Education & Culture
27. Environment & Climate Change
28. Consumer & Health Protection
29. Customs Union
30. External Relations
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy
32. Financial Control
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions
34. Institutions
35. Other Issues
Report history
Clusters Acquis Chapter February 2023 Report November 2023 Report October 2024 Report November 2025 Report
1. Fundamentals Public administration reform – Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared‡
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation†
24. Justice, Freedom & Security Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
Economic criteria – Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
5. Public Procurement Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
18. Statistics Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
32. Financial Control Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
2. Internal Market 1. Free Movement of Goods Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
4. Free Movement of Capital Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
6. Company Law Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
7. Intellectual Property Law Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
8. Competition Policy Early stage Early stage Some level of preparation† Some level of preparation†
9. Financial Services Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
28. Consumer & Health Protection Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
3. Competitiveness
and inclusive growth 		10. Digital transformation & Media Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
16. Taxation Some level of preparation Moderately prepared‡ Moderately prepared‡ Moderately prepared‡
17. Economic & Monetary Policy Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
19. Social Policy & Employment Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
25. Science & Research Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
26. Education & Culture Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
29. Customs Union Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
4. Green agenda
and sustainable connectivity 		14. Transport Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
15. Energy Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
21. Trans-European Networks Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
27. Environment & Climate Change Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
5. Resources, agriculture
and cohesion 		11. Agriculture & Rural Development Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
13. Fisheries Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments Early stage Some level of preparation† Some level of preparation† Some level of preparation†
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
6. External relations 30. External Relations Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared‡
34. Institutions - - - -
35. Other Issues - - - -
Legend:
Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters.
† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "early stage" AND "some level of preparation".
‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "some level of preparation" AND "moderately prepared".

  totally incompatible   early stage   considerable efforts needed   some level of preparation   further efforts needed   moderately prepared   no major difficulties expected   good level of preparation   well prepared / well advanced

Travel

Since 28 March 2017, Georgian citizens have been able to travel visa-free to the Schengen area. Starting in 2025, like all nationals from visa-exempt countries, Georgians will also need to comply with the EU's ETIAS system before entering any of the EU/Schengen member countries.

Impact of joining

Member countries Population Area (km2) GDP
(US$) 		GDP
per capita (US$) 		Languages
Georgia 3,688,647 69,700 30 billion 8,164 Georgian
EU27 447,007,596 4,233,262 17,046 billion 38,134 24
EU27+1 450,731,931
(+0.83%) 		4,302,962
(+1.65%) 		17,076 billion
(+0.18%) 		37,885
(−0.65%) 		25
(+1)

Reactions

  • Armenia: On 7 February 2024, prime minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan congratulated neighboring Georgia for obtaining EU candidate status. During an address to the National Assembly, Pashinyan stated, "Many significant realities have changed in our region, and one of those realities is the fact that Georgia has received the status of a candidate for EU membership, which has an objective impact on our region. It turns out that two of our neighboring countries have the status of a candidate for EU membership, and if before it was possible to say, where is the EU, where is our region, now the EU is actually our region, and we are aware of this fact."

See also

wikipedia, wiki, encyclopedia, book, library, article, read, free download, Information about Accession of Georgia to the European Union, What is Accession of Georgia to the European Union? What does Accession of Georgia to the European Union mean?

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