Is Georgia in the Schengen area, and can you enter with a Schengen visa?
Schengen and Georgia's entry rules.
Short answer
Georgia is not part of the Schengen area and sets its own rules on who can enter without a visa. For citizens of countries that need a Georgian visa, Government Ordinance No 256 allows entry without one for 90 days in any 180 days if they hold a valid visa or residence permit of a country on the approved list. The list includes the US, the UK and many European countries.
Why
- The Schengen area has 29 countries: 25 EU states plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Georgia is not among them (European Commission page).
- Georgia sets its own entry rules: citizens of 26 EU countries enter visa-free for up to a year, about 80 other countries are also visa-free, and everyone else needs a visa.
- Ordinance No 256 applies to holders of a visa or residence permit of listed countries, and the document must be valid on the day of crossing the border.
Details
The condition in the ordinance is simple: the visa or residence permit must be valid on the day of entry, and you must be able to prove it with a document. The first version of the list includes the US, the UK and dozens of European countries. The ordinance was amended on 17 April 2025, so check the current list on matsne.gov.ge.
If you have no visa-free option, you can get an e-visa for a short trip at evisa.gov.ge: the fee is 20 USD plus a 2% service fee, and each traveller applies separately. For stay lengths see how long you can stay in Georgia without a visa, and for who needs a visa see who needs a visa for Georgia.
Tip
Before you travel, check on evisa.gov.ge or geoconsul.gov.ge whether your citizenship needs a visa, and carry the document that proves your valid visa or residence permit.
What may differ
Everything depends on your citizenship, on the country that issued the visa or residence permit, and on the current version of the list. Rules change, so check the official sites before you leave.
Common misconception
A Schengen visa works in Georgia the same way as in Schengen countries.
What actually happens
No. Georgia is outside Schengen and has its own visa regime. Entry without a Georgian visa on a visa of a listed country is possible only under Ordinance No 256 and only for citizens of countries that need a Georgian visa.
People also ask
- Is Georgia a Schengen country?
Sources
This answer is for reference only and is not legal advice. Rules and amounts change, so check the official websites.
Related questions
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What happens if you overstay your permitted time in Georgia?
Overstaying in Georgia brings a fine of GEL 1,000 to 3,000 and an entry ban of 6 months to 3 years, depending on the length of the overstay.
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What is a Georgian D visa and how do you get one?
A D visa is Georgia's long-term (immigration) visa for people who come to work, study, reunite with family or own property.
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Who needs a visa for Georgia, and how do you get one?
You need a visa for Georgia only if your country is not on the Georgian government's visa-free list, while citizens of the US, the UK, EU countries, Canada and about 90 other countries travel visa-free.
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How much cash can you bring into or take out of Georgia?
There is no limit on how much cash you can bring in or take out, but if your cash, cheques and securities together exceed 30,000 GEL or the equivalent, you must declare them at customs.