The European Commission has not confirmed that visa-free travel between Armenia and the European Union will be introduced in 2029, although Yerevan hopes to complete the visa liberalisation process by that date. This information is corroborated by recent statements from EU representatives and official European Commission documents.
Paula Pinho, a spokesperson for the European Commission, stated at a briefing in Brussels on 7 September that it is currently too early to set a specific date for the abolition of visas. “It is still too early to predict whether 2029 or some other date will mark the start of visa liberalisation,” said the European Commission spokesperson.
Thus, 2029 is a target set by the Armenian government, rather than a date agreed with the EU. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has previously stated on several occasions that Yerevan hopes to achieve visa liberalisation by 2029. In particular, on 24 August, whilst presenting the government’s programme for 2026–2031, he announced that Armenia intends to secure the abolition of short-stay visas for travel to the EU “during 2029”.
Dialogue between the EU and Armenia on visa liberalisation was officially launched on 9 September 2024, and on 5 November 2025, the European Commission submitted the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP) to the Armenian authorities.
The plan requires Armenia to meet requirements in four key areas: document security and biometrics; border, migration and asylum management; public order and security; and fundamental rights. The document does not specify a fixed timeframe – the process will take as long as necessary to fulfil all the criteria.
In July, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also made it clear that the EU is not tying the decision to a specific year. She noted that Armenia is making good progress, but described the process as ‘merit-based’, meaning it depends on the actual fulfilment of the established criteria. Armenia is currently the only partner country with which the EU is conducting an active new dialogue on visa liberalisation, the European Commission noted. Subsequent assessment missions are due to verify compliance with the remaining requirements.
Following the successful completion of all stages, the European Commission is due to propose amendments to European visa legislation, after which the decision must go through the necessary procedures within the EU. Therefore, Armenia’s fulfilment of the technical criteria does not in itself mean that visas will automatically be abolished on a predetermined date.