Planning a trip to Georgia requires more than booking flights and accommodation. Since 1 January 2026, tourists entering the country must hold valid health and accident insurance that meets the applicable Georgian requirements.
This guide explains what the insurance policy must include, how long it must remain valid, which formats are accepted and what travellers should check before departure.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Georgia?
Yes. From 1 January 2026, tourists entering Georgia are required to hold a valid health and accident insurance policy.
The policy may be requested when a tourist enters Georgia. It should therefore be purchased before departure and kept easily accessible during the journey.
Travellers may present the insurance certificate in either physical or electronic form. This means that a PDF stored on a mobile phone may be used, provided the document is clear, complete and accessible when requested.
Carrying a printed copy can still be useful as a backup in case the traveller cannot access their phone, email or internet connection.
What are the minimum Georgia travel insurance requirements?
According to information published by Georgian authorities, a policy used by a tourist entering Georgia should meet the following requirements:
Important: A policy that expires before the traveller leaves Georgia may not meet the entry requirement. Both the arrival and departure dates should be included within the insurance period.
What information must appear on the insurance policy?
The insurance certificate should clearly identify the contract and provide enough information for the authorities to verify that it meets the applicable requirements.
The official guidance lists the following information:
- The parties to the insurance contract
- The covered geographical territory
- The subject matter of the insurance
- The commencement date of the insurance coverage
- The expiration date of the insurance coverage
- The insured risks
- The amount of the insured sum or applicable limits
- The amount of the insurance premium
- The place and terms or deadline of payment
Travellers should also check that their personal information is accurate and corresponds with their travel documents.
Before departure, review the spelling of the traveller’s name, the travel dates, the geographical area of cover and the policy number.
Arrange travel insurance before departure
Select the correct travel dates, include Georgia as a destination and carefully review the chosen plan, policy terms, limits and exclusions before completing the purchase.
GET TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR GEORGIACan the policy be issued by a foreign insurance company?
Yes. The insurance policy may be issued by either a Georgian or a foreign insurance company.
The important point is not where the insurance company is located, but whether the policy satisfies the applicable requirements, includes Georgia within the covered territory and remains valid for the entire stay.
Travellers considering an international online policy can also read the information available on the SoEasy Travel Insurance page for Georgia .
Before purchasing any policy, travellers should read the applicable terms, conditions, limits and exclusions and confirm that the selected cover is suitable for their journey.
Who may be exempt from the mandatory requirement?
The official Georgian information lists several categories that may be exempt from the mandatory tourist insurance requirement.
- Holders of diplomatic or special visas
- Holders of diplomatic, official, service or special passports
- Accredited employees of diplomatic missions, consular offices and international organisations, together with qualifying accredited family members
- Persons whose entry is provided for under an international treaty or agreement of Georgia
- Drivers involved in international road freight or passenger transport
Most ordinary tourists are not included in these exemptions. Travellers who believe that an exemption applies to them should verify their status with the relevant Georgian authority before departure.
Does the policy have to cover the entire stay?
Yes. The policy must cover the full period from the tourist’s entry into Georgia until their departure from the country.
For example, a traveller arriving on 10 August and leaving on 18 August should make sure that both 10 August and 18 August fall within the insurance period.
Travellers who extend their stay should check that their insurance remains valid for the additional period.
Do transit countries need to be included?
Georgia’s entry requirement focuses on insurance for the period spent in Georgia. However, travel insurance policies may have their own rules concerning transit countries, connecting flights and additional destinations.
A journey to Georgia may involve a stopover in another country, an overnight connection, a land border crossing or onward travel after leaving Georgia.
Where required by the insurer, all relevant transit and destination countries should be included so that the policy accurately reflects the real itinerary.
Remember: An incident can occur during a connecting journey, not only after arrival at the final destination. Check the policy rules concerning transit countries before purchasing.
Common travel insurance mistakes to avoid
Many travel insurance problems begin with a small error made during the application process.
- Purchasing the policy after the journey has already started
- Entering an incorrect start or end date
- Selecting the wrong destination or geographical area
- Failing to include every person travelling
- Entering a name that does not match the passport
- Forgetting relevant transit or stopover countries
- Choosing cover below the required minimum amount
- Not checking whether planned activities are covered
- Failing to save the insurance certificate before departure
- Not reading the applicable exclusions and policy conditions
Spending a few minutes reviewing the insurance certificate before the journey can prevent unnecessary complications at the border or during a claim.
Is meeting the legal minimum enough?
Meeting the mandatory entry requirement is essential, but it should not be the only consideration when selecting a policy.
Travellers should also review the benefits, limits and exclusions that apply to:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalisation
- Medical evacuation or repatriation
- Emergency assistance services
- Trip cancellation or interruption
- Delayed or lost baggage
- Travel delays and missed departures
- Recreational or adventure activities
- Pre-existing medical conditions
A policy that satisfies the entry requirement may not automatically cover every situation that could occur during the journey.
The most suitable option depends on the traveller’s itinerary, age, activities, medical circumstances and the level of protection required.
How should travellers store their documents?
The insurance document may be presented electronically , but it should be saved in a way that makes it accessible without relying entirely on an internet connection.
- Download the policy PDF before departure
- Save a copy directly on the mobile phone
- Email a copy to yourself
- Keep the policy number in a separate note
- Save the emergency assistance contact details
- Carry a printed copy as an additional backup
Frequently asked questions
Is travel insurance required to enter Georgia in 2026?
Yes. From 1 January 2026, tourists entering Georgia must hold valid health and accident insurance, unless a specific exemption applies.
What is the minimum insurance coverage required?
The insurance coverage amount must be no less than 30,000 GEL.
Does the policy have to be in English?
The insurance policy must be available in either English or Georgian.
Can I show the insurance policy on my phone?
Yes. The policy may be presented in electronic or physical form. Saving an offline PDF and carrying a printed backup is recommended.
Can the insurance be issued outside Georgia?
Yes. The policy may be issued by a Georgian or foreign insurance company, provided it satisfies the applicable requirements.
Does the policy have to cover both arrival and departure dates?
Yes. The insurance must remain valid for the full stay, including the date the tourist enters Georgia and the date they leave.
Does Georgia need to appear as a covered destination?
The policy’s covered geographical territory must include Georgia. This may be shown directly as Georgia or through a wider geographical area that clearly includes the country.
Should I purchase insurance before travelling?
Yes. The policy should be arranged before departure so that valid proof of insurance is available when entering Georgia.
Do transit countries need to appear on the policy?
This depends on the insurer and the policy terms. Where required, all relevant transit and destination countries should be included so the insurance reflects the complete itinerary.
Are all visitors subject to the same requirement?
The rule applies to tourists, but official guidance lists limited exemptions, including certain diplomatic, accredited and international transport categories.
Conclusion
Travel insurance is now an important part of preparing for a tourist trip to Georgia.
Before departure, travellers should confirm that their policy provides health and accident insurance of at least 30,000 GEL, is available in English or Georgian and remains valid throughout the entire stay.
The certificate should clearly show the covered territory, insurance period, insured risks, coverage limits and the other information required by the Georgian authorities.
Beyond satisfying an entry requirement, suitable travel insurance can provide access to emergency support and valuable financial protection when unexpected situations occur abroad.
Always review the policy carefully and verify the latest entry information through official Georgian government sources before travelling.