The measure, published on the geoconsul.gov.ge platform of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, introduces a uniform obligation for all foreign tourists, regardless of their country of origin or the length of their stay.
Starting January 1, 2026, any foreign national wishing to enter Georgia for tourism purposes will have to present a valid health and accident insurance policy.
In practical terms, each visitor must be able to provide proof of insurance, either in paper or electronic form, written in Georgian or English. This document may be requested during border checks, whether entry is by air, land, or sea.
Insurance coverage must not be less than 30,000 GEL (approximately US$11 000), an amount intended to ensure coverage for medical treatment, hospitalization, or financial consequences related to an accident occurring during the stay.
Georgian authorities specify that the policy may be taken out with either a Georgian insurance company or a foreign insurer, provided that the coverage meets the criteria set out by law.
Specific requirements regarding insurance policy content
Beyond the coverage amount, the law strictly regulates the information that must be included in the insurance policy. In particular, it must state:
- the parties to the insurance contract,
- the covered territory, explicitly including Georgia,
- the purpose of the insurance,
- the start and end dates of validity,
- the insured risks,
- the limits of the insured amount,
- as well as the premium amount, the place of payment, and payment terms.
Another essential point is that the policy must cover the entire duration of the stay, including the days of arrival and departure. Partial insurance or coverage limited to certain dates may therefore be deemed non-compliant.
Exemptions provided by law
According to the authorities and several analyses published in local and international media, this reform pursues a dual objective.
On the one hand, it aims to enhance tourist safety by ensuring that visitors have sufficient financial means to deal with unexpected medical issues or accidents.
On the other hand, it helps limit the costs borne by Georgia’s healthcare system, which is regularly faced with covering the treatment of uninsured visitors. By imposing a minimum level of coverage, the state seeks to clarify financial responsibilities and prevent emergency situations from resulting in unforeseen public expenditures.
The law nonetheless provides for several exemptions from this requirement. These notably include:
- holders of diplomatic or special visas,
- holders of diplomatic, official, service, or special passports,
- accredited employees of diplomatic missions, consular representations, representation offices of international organizations and equivalent representation offices, as well as their family members who hold an accreditation,
- individuals benefiting from a right of entry under International Treaties and Agreements of Georgia,
- drivers engaged in international road freight and passenger transportation.
These exemptions are in line with Georgia’s customary diplomatic practices and international commitments.
What this means for your future trip to Georgia
For travelers planning to visit Georgia from 2026 onward, this change means that trip preparation will require greater anticipation. Travel insurance will become just as essential as a passport, visa, or airline ticket.
Authorities recommend purchasing insurance before departure in order to avoid any risk of entry refusal or administrative complications at the border.
As the implementation date approaches, tourism and insurance professionals expect a gradual adjustment of offerings, with policies specifically designed to meet Georgian requirements.
Visa policy for Georgia: a largely liberal entry regime
In this context, the introduction of mandatory insurance does not signal an overall tightening of entry conditions, but rather fits within the continuity of a long-standing policy of controlled openness pursued by Georgia. The country remains one of the most liberal in the region when it comes to the movement of travelers.
A large share of international visitors benefit from visa-free entry, notably nationals of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan, who are allowed to stay for up to twelve consecutive months without prior formalities.
For nationalities subject to a visa requirement, Georgian authorities began modernizing procedures in the mid-2010s with the introduction of the electronic visa (e-Visa). Launched in 2015, the evisa.gov.ge portal made the application process fully digital, reducing processing times and, in most cases, eliminating the need to visit a diplomatic mission.
Available to several dozen countries, the e-Visa is generally issued within a few days for short-term tourist stays, at a moderate cost typically ranging from US$20 to US$40 depending on the category.
