Is insurance mandatory for entering Georgia in 2026

Yes. Since 1 January 2026 Georgia has required mandatory medical insurance for foreigners arriving in the country. The rule was established by Georgian Government Decree No. 602 of 26 December 2025 and also applies to Russian citizens, who may stay in Georgia visa-free for up to a year. The policy may be checked at check-in or at the border, and without it a traveller may face difficulties entering the country.

Policy requirements for Georgia

  • Sum insured — at least 30,000 Georgian lari. This is considerably less than USD 30,000 or EUR 30,000, so any standard travel policy with a minimum sum of USD 30,000 meets the requirement.
  • Period — the whole stay, including the day of entry and the day of departure. If you extend your trip, extend the policy too.
  • Insurer — a Georgian or foreign insurance company. Policies from Russian insurers are acceptable.
  • Content — the parties to the contract, the territory, the list of risks, start and end dates and the premium. It is more convenient if the policy text is duplicated in English.
  • Format — paper or electronic. Save the PDF on your phone and keep a printout just in case.

The requirements were introduced recently and the way they are applied may be clarified. Before travelling, check the current rules on official Georgian resources or with your carrier.

What else to consider when choosing a policy

  • Mountains. Gudauri, Bakuriani and Mestia are popular ski resorts. Skiing requires the skiing or snowboarding option, ideally with evacuation from the slope.
  • Trekking. Kazbegi, Svaneti, Tusheti: high-altitude hikes count as active sports. From remote areas an injured person is sometimes evacuated by helicopter, and this service should be in the plan.
  • Roads. Mountain serpentines and an unfamiliar driving style are a reason to consider the accident option.
  • Wine. Feasts are part of Georgian culture, but most plans do not cover incidents while intoxicated.
  • Healthcare. Tbilisi and Batumi have modern private clinics, but treatment is paid for foreigners.

Buy a policy to Georgia online

You can buy insurance right on this page: the calculator above shows prices from several insurers at once (16 insurers are available in the service). Online sales are provided by Polis Re’s partner, the Cherehapa service; the contract is concluded with the insurance company you select.

  1. Check that “Georgia” is selected and set the dates and travellers’ ages.
  2. Tick the options you need: skiing or snowboarding, trekking, accident cover, travel by private car.
  3. Sort offers by price or by cover and open the terms of the plan you like.
  4. Enter your first and last name in Latin letters exactly as in your international passport, enter your e-mail and pay.
  5. The electronic policy arrives by e-mail within a few minutes and is as valid as a paper one.

Insured event in Georgia: what to do

Keep the assistance phone number at hand: it is printed in the policy. An assistance company is a service company that organises help abroad on behalf of the insurer.

  1. Report the case before seeing a doctor: policy number, your details, address and symptoms.
  2. Get a referral to a clinic — treatment there is paid without your involvement, within the sum insured and taking the deductible into account.
  3. If the assistance company allows you to pay yourself, keep the medical report, invoices and receipts and file a claim for reimbursement after you return.

More in the “Insured event” section.

Nearby destinations

If your route covers several countries, see the other pages too: insurance to Armenia, insurance to Abkhazia, insurance to Turkey, insurance to Kazakhstan. The full list of destinations, annual policies and tips on choosing cover are on the travel insurance page.