Georgia's Mandatory Travel Insurance Rule: Who Needs It and How to Comply
Updated September 2026
Since January 1, 2026, Georgia requires every foreign tourist to hold valid travel health insurance to enter the country. This applies to all nationalities, including citizens of the 95 or more visa-free countries. Visa-free travelers are not exempt.
Here is exactly what the rule requires, how it is enforced, and how to buy a compliant policy before you fly.
The short version
- Since January 1, 2026, every foreign tourist entering Georgia must hold valid travel health insurance. Visa status does not matter, so visa-free travelers need it too.
- The policy must cover at least 30,000 GEL (about $11,000 or 9,500 EUR) for medical treatment, hospitalization and accidents, for your entire stay.
- Enforcement is uneven, but the real risk is being denied boarding by your airline, so do not travel uninsured assuming you will not be checked.
- Buy online in advance from any reputable insurer whose policy meets 30,000 GEL and is written in English or Georgian, then carry printed or digital proof.
Is it real and enforced?
Yes, the rule is real and in force. Since January 1, 2026, Georgian law requires foreign visitors to carry valid travel health insurance for the duration of their trip. The legal basis is the Law of Georgia On Tourism together with Government Ordinance No. 602, adopted on December 26, 2025.
Being honest matters here: enforcement is uneven. That is why so many travelers are confused about whether they really need it. The requirement exists on paper and is increasingly checked in practice, but not everywhere and not consistently.
Airline check-in and boarding gate
Airlines increasingly ask for proof, and denied boarding has already happened. This is the real risk.
Airport passport control (Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi)
Checks are hit or miss. Some travelers are asked, many are waved through.
Land borders (for example from Armenia)
These frequently do not ask at all, but that can change without notice.
Do not travel uninsured on the assumption that you will not be checked. The practical risk is not a border fine, it is your airline refusing to let you board, which can end your trip before it starts.
Who needs it (and who is exempt)
The requirement applies to every foreign tourist, regardless of nationality. Georgia lets citizens of 95 or more countries enter visa-free, and none of them are exempt from the insurance rule. Visa status is irrelevant: whether you need a visa or not, you still need insurance. Children are included too, so every member of your group needs cover.
The narrow list of who is exempt:
- Holders of a Georgian residence permit
- Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports, and accredited diplomatic and international-organization staff and their families
- People covered by an international agreement that provides for medical care
- International commercial freight and passenger drivers
If you are an ordinary tourist on a passport, none of these exemptions apply to you. Assume you need insurance.
What the insurance must cover
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| Minimum sum insured | At least 30,000 GEL (about $11,000 or 9,500 EUR). |
| What it must cover | Medical treatment, hospitalization and accidents. |
| Validity period | Your entire stay, from arrival to departure. Maximum policy validity is one year. |
| Who can issue it | A Georgian or a foreign insurer. Both are accepted. |
| Language and format | Written in Georgian or English, held physically or electronically. |
Some insurers frame it as a $30,000 inpatient limit plus a $5,000 outpatient limit, but the binding figure in the law is 30,000 GEL in total. As long as your policy clearly meets or exceeds 30,000 GEL for medical and accident cover across your whole trip, it satisfies the rule.
The fine, honestly
You will see a figure of around 300 GEL (about $110 or 100 EUR) quoted for traveling without insurance. Treat that number as unconfirmed. There is no publicly available official penalty schedule, so we cannot present the exact fine as settled law.
In practice, the meaningful consequences are being denied boarding by your airline and being refused entry at the border, not a reliably levied cash fine. Frame your decision around those risks, because they are the ones that can actually derail your trip.
How to buy and comply
Buy online in advance
Georgian authorities recommend buying ahead. Purchase from any reputable insurer whose policy meets the 30,000 GEL limit and is written in English or Georgian. Buying before you fly is cheaper and avoids surprises at the airport.
At-border purchase is a fallback
You can buy a policy on arrival at airports and major land crossings, but it is reportedly around 30 to 40 percent more expensive, with limited options and queues. Use it only as a backup, not a plan.
Carry proof
Keep printed or digital proof that clearly states the coverage limit and your full trip dates. If an airline agent or border officer asks, you want to show it in seconds.
Check the details match
Make sure the policy covers medical treatment, hospitalization and accidents, runs from your arrival to your departure, and shows a sum insured at or above 30,000 GEL.
Staying online in Georgia
Georgia is not in the European Union, so the EU Roam Like at Home rules do not apply. An EU or UK SIM roams in Georgia at full international rates, which can add up fast. Do not assume your home plan covers Georgia cheaply, because it does not.
The local operators are Magti, Silknet and Cellfie. 5G is live, with Magti leading the rollout, so data speeds are good once you are connected.
A Georgia travel eSIM avoids the passport-scan registration, the IMEI hassle and the SIM-kiosk queue that come with a local physical SIM. You install it before you fly and go online the moment you land, which is exactly when you want to pull up your insurance proof or a taxi app.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need insurance for Georgia in 2026?
Yes. Since January 1, 2026, you need valid travel health insurance to enter Georgia as a foreign tourist. The rule is in force under the Law of Georgia On Tourism and Government Ordinance No. 602, and airlines and border officers can ask for proof.
Do visa-free travelers need it too?
No. Visa-free travelers are not exempt. The insurance rule applies to every foreign tourist regardless of nationality, so citizens of the 95 or more visa-free countries need a compliant policy just like everyone else.
How much cover is required for Georgia?
Your policy must provide at least 30,000 GEL (about $11,000 or 9,500 EUR) for medical treatment, hospitalization and accidents, and it must cover your entire stay from arrival to departure.
What is the fine for entering Georgia without insurance?
A figure of around 300 GEL (about $110 or 100 EUR) is widely quoted, but there is no publicly available official penalty schedule, so treat the exact figure as unconfirmed. The bigger practical risk is being denied boarding or refused entry.
Is the insurance rule actually checked?
Enforcement is uneven. Airlines are the strictest and increasingly check at check-in or the gate, so denied boarding is the real risk. Airport passport control at Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi is hit or miss, and land borders often do not ask at all. Do not rely on being waved through.
Where do I buy Georgia travel insurance?
Buy online in advance from any reputable insurer whose policy meets the 30,000 GEL limit and is written in English or Georgian. You can also buy at the airport or major land crossings on arrival, but that is reportedly 30 to 40 percent pricier with limited options.
Does EU roaming work in Georgia?
No. Georgia is not in the EU, so Roam Like at Home does not apply and EU or UK SIMs roam at full international rates. A Georgia travel eSIM from eSIMPal avoids roaming bills and gets you online the moment you land.
Do children need travel insurance for Georgia?
Yes. Children are included in the requirement, so children need cover too. Every member of your group, adults and kids alike, should hold a policy that meets the 30,000 GEL limit for the full trip.
Heading to Georgia? Stay connected with eSIMPal
Georgia sits outside the EU roaming zone, so an eSIMPal eSIM is the easiest way to stay online. Install it before you fly and land with data, ready to show your insurance proof, book a ride and stay in touch, with no roaming bills and no airport SIM queue.
Last updated September 2026. Based on the Government of Georgia legislation (matsne.gov.ge, Ordinance No. 602), the U.S. Embassy in Georgia notice, and the Georgian Airways passenger notice. Rules and enforcement can change, so confirm the latest details with an official Georgian source before you travel.