Georgia Travel Advisory: Mandatory Health & Accident Insurance Now Required for All Tourists
What Exactly Are the New Insurance Requirements?
Hey fellow travelers! If the breathtaking Caucasus mountains, the historic cobblestone streets of Tbilisi, and endless plates of khachapuri have been calling your name, listen up. There is a brand-new travel rule you need to know about before you book your flight.
As of January 1, 2026, the Georgian government has officially made health and accident insurance mandatory for all incoming tourists. Whether you are planning a quick weekend getaway to sample the world’s oldest wines or a month-long digital nomad stint, here is everything you need to know about the new mandate under Georgia’s “On Tourism” law.
Here is the official advisory link from the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Consular Department) detailing the new mandatory health and accident insurance requirements for tourists.
This new regulation isn’t just a friendly suggestion; it is a strict entry requirement enforced at the border. To pass through immigration smoothly, your travel insurance policy must meet a few specific legal criteria:
- Minimum Coverage Limit: Your policy must have a minimum health and accident coverage of 30,000 GEL (which translates to roughly €10,000 to €11,000 or $11,000 USD).
- Full Duration: The insurance must cover your entire stay. From the minute you land to the exact date of your departure, your policy needs to be active.
- Language: The certificate must be presented in either English or Georgian.
- Covered Risks: It must explicitly cover emergency medical care, outpatient and inpatient treatment, medical evacuation, and repatriation.
Digital or Physical Copy?
Good news for the paper-averse: you don’t necessarily have to print out a forest’s worth of documents. The Georgian border patrol accepts both physical (printed) and electronic (PDF on your phone) policies. However, we at roastedbum.com always recommend keeping a printed backup—just in case your phone battery dies after a long travel day.
Where Can You Buy It?
You have total freedom here. The policy can be issued by your own domestic insurance provider, an international travel insurance company, or a local Georgian insurer. Local companies (like GPI Holding, TBC Insurance, and Aldagi) now offer quick online plans specifically tailored to meet these new border requirements, often starting at just a couple of euros a day.
Pro tip: If you rely on credit card travel insurance, make sure you download an official certificate from your bank in English stating it meets the 30,000 GEL minimum coverage.
Planning on Hiking or Skiing?
If you are heading to Kazbegi, Svaneti, or Tusheti for high-altitude trekking or winter sports, double-check your policy’s fine print. Standard tourist insurance often excludes mountain rescue or “extreme” sports. Make sure your package specifically covers adventure activities so you aren’t left with a massive bill in an emergency.
What Happens If You Show Up Without It?
Don’t risk it. Showing up to the Georgian border without a compliant travel insurance policy means you will likely be denied entry entirely. In some cases, airlines are proactively checking for valid insurance policies at the departure gate and may deny you boarding before you even take off.
Are There Any Exemptions?
Yes, but they mostly apply to expats and diplomats. If you hold a Georgian residence permit, an official employment contract with a registered Georgian company, or a diplomatic passport, you are exempt. For the standard tourist, digital nomad, or business visitor, this rule is non-negotiable.
Final Thoughts
Travel insurance is one of those things you hope to never use but are always grateful to have. This new rule simply aligns Georgia with standard international travel practices, ensuring that visitors are protected. Secure your policy, pack your bags, and get ready to enjoy one of the most hospitable countries in the world. Safe travels!
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