Tourist Insurance in Georgia from 1 January 2026
29 December 2025
From 1 January 2026, new entry rules regarding mandatory medical insurance come into force in Georgia. The new requirement affects not only traditional tourists, but also many foreigners who live or work in the country.
Below, we explain who must have insurance, who is exempt, and what to do if you fall into the so-called "grey area".
Below, we explain who must have insurance, who is exempt, and what to do if you fall into the so-called "grey area".
1. Who needs insurance (and who does not)
The obligation to have insurance depends not on nationality, but on the purpose of entry and the foreigner’s status at the border.
Regulation conditionally divides all entrants into three groups.
Group A: Insurance is MANDATORY
This category includes "tourists" — visitors entering Georgia for tourism, leisure, personal matters or short-term business for a period of up to one year.
Group B: Insurance is NOT required
1) Holders of Georgian residence permits
Foreigners with residence permits (work, investment, property-based, etc.) enter Georgia to exercise their right of residence, not as tourists.
Important: You should have your residence card (ID) or a printed decision granting residence with you.
2) Employees of Georgian companies
Foreigners who are officially employed in Georgia are excluded from the definition of "tourist".
Important: To confirm your status at the border, you must have:
3) Foreigners exempt under the Government Resolution (closed list):
Group C: The "grey area"
Individual entrepreneurs (sole traders) without residence permits.
Formally, they are working (and therefore not tourists), but:
Recommendation: Obtain insurance to avoid the risk of being refused entry.
Important: The requirement applies only at the moment of entry.
If you are already in Georgia on 1 January 2026, you do not need to urgently obtain insurance. It will be required only upon your next entry into the country.
Regulation conditionally divides all entrants into three groups.
Group A: Insurance is MANDATORY
This category includes "tourists" — visitors entering Georgia for tourism, leisure, personal matters or short-term business for a period of up to one year.
Group B: Insurance is NOT required
1) Holders of Georgian residence permits
Foreigners with residence permits (work, investment, property-based, etc.) enter Georgia to exercise their right of residence, not as tourists.
Important: You should have your residence card (ID) or a printed decision granting residence with you.
2) Employees of Georgian companies
Foreigners who are officially employed in Georgia are excluded from the definition of "tourist".
Important: To confirm your status at the border, you must have:
- an employment contract, and
- confirmation of your registration in the Ministry of Health/Labour system (registration code).
3) Foreigners exempt under the Government Resolution (closed list):
- holders of diplomatic or special visas;
- holders of diplomatic, service, official or special passports;
- accredited staff of diplomatic missions, consulates and international organisations, as well as their family members;
- persons whose entry is regulated by international treaties or agreements of Georgia;
- drivers engaged in international cargo and passenger transportation.
Group C: The "grey area"
Individual entrepreneurs (sole traders) without residence permits.
Formally, they are working (and therefore not tourists), but:
- they do not have employment contracts (not employees), and
- they do not have residence permits (not residents).
Recommendation: Obtain insurance to avoid the risk of being refused entry.
Important: The requirement applies only at the moment of entry.
If you are already in Georgia on 1 January 2026, you do not need to urgently obtain insurance. It will be required only upon your next entry into the country.
2. Insurance policy requirements
The policy must meet the following criteria:
- Coverage: Health and accident insurance (emergency outpatient and inpatient care).
- Limit: Must meet the minimum limit established by the Government Resolution — 30,000 GEL.
- Language: The policy must be issued in Georgian or English (or have a certified translation).
- Format: Both paper and electronic versions are acceptable.
- Validity period: Must cover the entire period of stay in Georgia (up to one year).
3. Liability for lack of insurance
Unlike visa violations, where fines apply, here the consequence is single but significant:
refusal of entry into Georgia.
If at border control you are unable to present a valid policy (or confirm your resident/employee status), you will simply not be allowed to enter the country.
At present, no fines apply within Georgia for the absence of insurance — control is carried out strictly at border checkpoints.
refusal of entry into Georgia.
If at border control you are unable to present a valid policy (or confirm your resident/employee status), you will simply not be allowed to enter the country.
At present, no fines apply within Georgia for the absence of insurance — control is carried out strictly at border checkpoints.
4. Where to Get Insurance
The law does not restrict you in choosing a provider. You can purchase a policy:
- from a Georgian insurance company (many already offer packages tailored to the new requirements);
- from a foreign insurance company (the main condition is that the policy is in English and meets the coverage limits).
For further details, please contact JUST Advisors.
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