On 5 May 2026, the European Commission submitted the first progress report on the implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan (AP) to Armenia. It records the Armenian authorities’ clear political commitment to implementing the necessary reforms for visa liberalization with the EU.
The Armenia-EU visa liberalization dialogue was officially launched in September 2024, and the Action Plan was submitted to Armenia in November 2025. It envisages the implementation of 74 benchmarks, which are being implemented in two phases:
- establishing an appropriate legislative and policy framework,
- ensuring their practical implementation and enforcement.
The first report assesses Armenia’s progress in implementing the first set of benchmarks, focusing exclusively on the legislative and policy framework across four key areas: document security, border management, migration and asylum management, public order and security, and external relations and fundamental rights.
Although the Action Plan was submitted only recently, the Armenian government has already initiated or planned a significant portion of the required legislative and policy changes, which the EU highly appreciates.
The report details the significant steps taken and progress made by Armenia in four key areas:
Document security: In July 2025, Armenia adopted a new law on the State Population Register, which will enable the creation of a unified, secure electronic population register. In addition, a public-private partnership agreement was signed to modernize the national biometric identification system, ensuring that future passports and identity documents meet the highest standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Border, migration, and asylum management: Armenia is actively developing the Integrated Border Management (IBM) Strategy for 2026-2029.
Armenia has also made progress in the digitalization of several administrative services. In particular, the electronic management system for citizenship cases has been launched since January 2026, and the digitalization of work and residence permit procedures for foreign citizens is also underway.
Armenia continues to strengthen cooperation with EU Member States and third countries in the field of readmission.
Developments are underway to strengthen border referral mechanisms and to create an electronic asylum case management system.
Public order and security.
Since 2018, Armenia has significantly strengthened its anti-corruption legal and institutional framework and brought it into line with international standards. The launch of Armenia’s “Crime Prevention Strategy 2026-2033” demonstrates the country’s intention to strengthen its crime-prevention capabilities through evidence-based policies, institutional coordination, and targeted preventive measures.
The report also refers to the newly established specialized unit within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Crime Statistics and Research Center, which will identify crime patterns, predict potential crime risk zones, and, based on them, present recommendations and guiding analyses aimed at crime prevention.
The new Action Plan on Combating Trafficking will be adopted in 2026, and the EU has welcomed the addition of new programs in this direction.
The European side also supports the establishment of a new, independent personal data protection authority, whose activities will be consistent with European principles and best practices for personal data protection.
Fundamental rights: Armenia is currently developing a law on “Prevention and Combating Discrimination” to align it with European standards. In addition, Armenia adopted new legislation on children’s rights in 2025 to provide a more comprehensive framework for protection against violence and exploitation.
While welcoming the positive dynamics, the Commission underlines that progress is assessed exclusively through a results-based approach and is conditioned by the effective and consistent implementation of all benchmarks.
The report also presents suggestions/recommendations to guide Armenia in filling the identified gaps. Overall, the Commission stresses the need to ensure the practical, consistent, and results-based implementation of adopted policies and laws in all areas. The data reflected in the report underlines the deepening ties between Armenia and the EU. The number of Schengen visas issued to Armenian citizens has steadily increased, from 51,000 in 2019 to 86,300 in 2024, with a significant rise in the share of multiple-entry visas (now 43.5%). Moreover, the visa refusal rate has registered a downward trend, reflecting growing trust in Armenian citizens traveling.
The visa liberalization dialogue will continue for as long as necessary to ensure the full implementation of all benchmarks. The Commission will continue to monitor the implementation of all benchmarks set out in the Action Plan, with the support of EU Member States’ experts. It will organize additional assessment missions in Armenia in the near future.
The EU remains committed to supporting Armenia’s reforms by providing dedicated technical and financial assistance, in particular under the Resilience and Growth Program for Armenia.
