Starting January 1, 2026, Georgia will require all foreign tourists to have valid health and accident insurance as a condition of entry. The measure signifies a major update to the country’s border control and tourism policies, aimed at protecting both visitors and the national healthcare system.
The new requirement—introduced through amendments to Georgia’s Law on Tourism and published by the Foreign Ministry’s consular department—applies to travellers of every nationality, regardless of the length of their stay.
How the New Georgia Travel Insurance Rule Works
Visitors will need to present proof of medical insurance, either in paper or digital format, when entering Georgia through airports, land crossings, or seaports. The documentation must be written in Georgian or English for verification purposes.
The minimum coverage requirement is set at 30,000 Georgian lari (about $11,000 USD), which should be sufficient to cover emergency medical services, hospitalisation, and accident-related treatment during a traveller’s stay. Tourists may purchase coverage from either local Georgian insurers or international insurance companies, provided the policy meets the government’s outlined criteria.
Goals Behind the Policy
Authorities emphasise that this move is not intended to discourage tourism—an industry vital to Georgia’s economy—but rather to strengthen visitor safety and financial responsibility. Officials highlight that, in recent years, the lack of insurance among some tourists has created pressure on public hospitals and confusion over medical cost responsibilities.
What an Eligible Insurance Policy Must Include
To be accepted, policies must clearly specify:
- The identities of all parties involved.
- The duration of the coverage.
- Confirmation that Georgia is within the policy’s geographic coverage area.
Policies missing travel dates or only covering portions of a trip may be considered invalid.
Who Is Exempt from the Requirement
Certain categories of travellers will not need to comply, including:
- Diplomats and employees of international organisations.
- Foreign officials covered under specific agreements.
- Truck or passenger drivers engaged in cross-border logistics operations.
For most other visitors, travel insurance will become an essential document—alongside passports, flight tickets, and visas (where applicable)—for smooth entry into Georgia. Officials advise purchasing insurance well in advance to avoid border delays or denial of entry.
Georgia’s Broader Border Policy Changes
This insurance rule aligns with Georgia’s recent steps to modernise its entry and residency framework. For instance, beginning March 1, 2026, Georgia will also launch a work permit system for most foreign employees, freelancers, and consultants. Employers will be responsible for securing work permits, with select exemptions for permanent residents, refugees, and certain investment visa holders.
Those already employed in the country will have until January 1, 2027, to comply, and applications could take up to 30 days to process.
Despite these new measures, Georgia remains one of the most accessible destinations in its region. Citizens of over 90 countries—including the U.S., U.K., Canada, and EU member states—can stay visa-free for up to one year. Others can apply for a convenient e-Visa, typically processed within a few days at a cost between $20 and $40 USD.
With this update, Georgia joins the growing list of destinations requiring proof of medical insurance. This global trend gained traction after the COVID-19 pandemic as countries sought to lessen the financial burden of treating uninsured foreign travellers.
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