Ceragrion georgiferyi was formerly considered a subspecies of Ceriagrion tenellum but is now considered to be a full species (Schneider 1986, Kalkman 2005).

European regional assessment: Critically Endangered (CR)
EU 27 regional assessment: Critically Endangered (CR)

C. georgifreyi has a restricted distribution and in Europe it is limited to a few sites in Greece. Information on the current status of most populations is not available. The populations on the islands of Zakynthos and Thasos are likely extinct and an old record from Kerkyra (Corfu) was not confirmed in the last decades. Two of the three populations are lost on Lesvos. On mainland Greece, the species seems still present (one site in the Peloponnesos and one northeast of Athens) but rare. Based on the habitat requirements of the species and the strong pressure on aquatic habitats in all locations it is inferred that it has shown a strong decline and is very likely to continue declining. In addition to this, the calculated area of occupancy (AOO) in Europe is 36 km² (including populations that have possibly gone extinct since 2000) but the actual habitat is probably less than 16 km² and only a few populations are known and there is no possibilities for exchange between these subpopulations. There is probably no population with more than 50 individuals and the total population size is estimated well below 250 adult individuals. Based on the above, the species is assessed as Critically Endangered for Europe and the EU27 Member States under criterion C. No rescue effect from populations out of the European region is anticipated, and therefore no regional adjustment is applied.

In the European region, this species is restricted to Greece, where it is known from mainland Greece and from some islands. Records of Ceriagrion from Lesvos and from continental Greece, previously published as C. tenellum, are in fact C. georgifreyi (Kalkman 2005). The latter species was previously only known from three Greek islands Kerkyra [Corfu], Zakinthos and Thasos. Observations from these three islands are old and these populations are most likely lost. The most recent records are from Thasos (2006) but the habitat on this island seems no longer to be suitable (A. van der Heijden pers. comm.). A rather recent survey on Lesvos (Kappes and Kappes 2017) revealed that two of the three populations are lost and that C. georgifreyi has only one population anymore on the islands.

However, there were also some small populations on the Greek mainland, from the Schynias Marathon National Park (Attiki, northeast of Athens) (Jerabek & Forstmeier 2017) and from two localities in the north-west Peloponnesos (Alexiou et al. 2019). The one within the Strofylia National Park has since probably gone extinct (G. De Knijf, unpublished data).  Records from Nestos Delta and Volvi Lake in northeastern Greece (Boudot and van Grunsven 2021) were inspected in 2023 but the species could not be found there (G. De Knijf unpublished data) and are most likely also lost.

All together  there are very few recent observations of this species from Europe  and the number of currently occupied sites might be as low as 3 or 4 at the moment.

Ceriagrion georgifreyi has a relatively small global range and occurs along a narrow coastal strip in the northern half of Israel, probably Lebanon, western Syria, southern Türkiye and Greece (Boudot et al. 2021). A record of C. georgifreyi from Niksar in north Türkiye was reported by Schneider (1986) based on a series from the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh. This population belongs to the northern limit of the species and may tentatively be recognised as valid. This location is not only outside of the known range but also the only location far from the coast, a label error or a problem of homonymy in the locality name cannot be ruled out.

In Europe, the species was only known from four Greek islands, the Peloponesos and the Greek mainland and always only a small number of specimens have been observed. Several of these populations have disappeared and it is likely that only four populations remain present, one on the islands of Lesvos, one in the nortwest of the Peloponesos, one northeast of Athens and most likely also one on the Greek mainland. Information on the actual size of these populations is lacking but numbers of observed individuals per site are low indicating small population sizes. It is likely that all populations are below 50 adult individuals and the total European population is less than 250 adult individuals.

The species is poorly known and there are no detailed accounts on the habitats where the species is found. The habitat is described as small and shallow, with both standing and slowly running waters (Kalkman et al. 2005). The habitat where breeding is assumed is heavily vegetated with spike-rush (Eleocharis sp.), lesser water-parsnip (Berula erecta) and might be even slighty brackish with Juncus sp. (Jerabek and Forstmeier 2017). In Hope (2007) it is stated that 'It is found in small muddy brooks and larger brooks'. Based on the above and unpublished records the habitat can best be described as brooks, small runnels and seepages with rich aquatic vegetation. All known verified locations are close to the sea.

The reproduction sites occupied by the species are generally small and easily destroyed by agricultural practises and building activities. Climate change resulting in the desiccation of the habitats is the main present and future threat, which will affect the species over its whole range. Presently very few European localities are known. Information on these sites is very poor but probably all of them are very small (<50 individuals) or extinct. All of these sites can probably be destroyed by a single small event such as the construction of a house, increased intake of water or a very dry year, such as 2018. In order to prevent this species from becoming extinct immediate action is needed.

There is no trade or use of this species.

The species is recorded from at least two Natura 2000 protected areas; Ethniko Parko Schinia - Marathona (GR3000003) and Limnothalassa Kalogrias, Dasos Strofylias Kai Elos Lamias, Araxos (GR2320001).

The exact sites and status of the European populations are unknown and information on the habitat requirements of the species is scant. Habitat destruction can therefore easily cause the extinction of this species in any location where it occurs. The foremost conservation measure is therefore identifying the current locations and disclosing this information to the local authorities and conservation officers. Based on more adequate habitat information it must be seen if local conservation measures are possible to counterbalance the impact of climate change. Water extraction from areas where the species occurs should be kept to a minimum.

This species could easily become extinct in Europe in the next decade and it is unclear how many populations are already extinct as a result of habitat change and the recent droughts, such as in 2018. Immediate action is needed and the establishment of protected areas is necessary, addition of this species to Annex II and IV of the EU Habitats Directive seems appropriate as a legal protection of this species and its threatened habitat. A more detailed and up-to-date survey is urgently necessary to have an accurate overview of the localities and locations where the species still occurs and to elaborate conservation plans, evaluate possibilities of habitat restoration etc. for each of the locations.