Insurance for a trip to Georgia: rules and where to get it
As of 2026, medical insurance has become mandatory for all foreign tourists entering Georgia. It used to be optional - now without a policy you may be refused entry at the border. Below are the current rules, the minimum requirements for a policy, and the services through which you can get one.
The topic is regulatory: the wording of the law and the border-check procedures may be refined. So we’ve gathered the key requirements into one block and advise verifying them against official sources before your trip - links to the primary sources are at the bottom of the page.
Current rules (from January 1, 2026)
As of January 1, 2026, medical insurance is mandatory for all foreign tourists entering Georgia. This is a regulatory requirement, and the details (wording, amounts, check procedures) may change - be sure to verify they’re current before your trip.
The primary source is official resources: embassies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Government of Georgia (Resolution No. 602 of 26.12.2025). Links to the sources are at the bottom of the page.
What you need to know
- Insurance is mandatory for all foreign tourists - citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and other countries. A policy is needed for children too.
- The minimum coverage is 30,000 GEL.
- The policy must cover the entire trip: from the entry date to the exit date.
- The issuer can be either a Georgian or a foreign insurance company.
- Coverage must include both medical expenses and accident insurance - by requirement it’s a “health and accident” policy. Medical evacuation and repatriation are additionally mentioned.
- The policy language is English or Georgian. A policy only in Russian or Ukrainian without a translation may not be accepted at the border.
- The policy is checked on entry: at airports - systematically, at land border crossings - selectively. Without it, entry may be refused. Airlines may check for a policy as early as check-in.
- The legal basis is the Law of Georgia “On Tourism” (Art. 12) and Government of Georgia Resolution No. 602 of 26.12.2025.
Fine for not having a policy
The base fine for not having mandatory insurance is 300 GEL. Besides the fine, entry may be refused, so it’s better to get a policy in advance rather than counting on “paying extra on site.”
For active travel - trekking, skiing, rafting, and other extreme activities - you need a separate coverage option: a basic tourist policy may not cover such cases. Verify the exact fine amounts and coverage terms for extreme activities with the insurer and in official sources before your trip.
Where to get a policy
Below are the services through which travelers most often get insurance for Georgia. Whichever option you choose, check that the policy meets the requirement: coverage of at least 30,000 GEL for the entire trip, the language is English or Georgian, and accident insurance is included (basic plans often don’t have it - it’s added as a separate option). Prices depend on age, duration, and the coverage set, so we give only guidelines, without exact amounts.
EKTA
a working option for everyone, including citizens of Ukraine
Online insurance paid by card from anywhere in the world; the policy arrives by email. Coverage is easy to adjust, and the limit can be raised to 30,000 USD - well above the 30,000 GEL requirement. The service’s legal entity is registered in an offshore jurisdiction - this doesn’t affect how the policy works, but keep it in mind.
Sign up on the service’s website. Before buying, verify the current terms and rate.
SafetyWing (Nomad Insurance)
for digital nomads and long trips
Subscription insurance billed monthly - convenient for those who live in Georgia or travel for a long time and don’t want to buy a policy for a fixed period. Suits a relocation and wintering scenario. The service has changed its terms and rates - verify the current ones before buying.
Sign up on the service’s website. Before buying, verify the current terms and rate.
Cherehapa, Polis812
aggregators for citizens of Russia
Comparison services: they show offers from several insurers at once and help you pick a policy for the limit and duration you need. Handy when you want to compare terms in one place; the set of insurers and the service’s availability change over time - go by the current list on the service itself.
Sign up on the service’s website. Before buying, verify the current terms and rate.
TBC Insurance, Aldagi, GPI
local Georgian insurers
Georgian companies: the policy is issued from the start in English or Georgian and for the local 30,000 GEL limit. This is the most “risk-free” option for meeting the requirement - the policy is guaranteed to fit the local rules and the language of the check.
Sign up on the service’s website. Before buying, verify the current terms and rate.
In depth: how to choose and buy a policy
What’s important to keep in mind
- Check that the policy includes accident insurance. Georgia’s requirement is a “health and accident” policy, and in basic medical plans an accident often comes as a separate option: medical coverage alone may not be enough.
- Citizens of Ukraine find it more convenient to get a policy through EKTA or Ukrainian services (for example, Green Travel, Finance.ua). This is a practical recommendation based on service availability, not a ban: “Russian insurance is banned for Ukrainians” is an unconfirmed claim, and we don’t present it as a rule.
- Buy the policy before entering Georgia: some services have a 5-7 day “waiting period” - the insurance doesn’t take effect immediately after payment.
- Visa-free entry (for many countries - up to 1 year) does not cancel the insurance requirement: these are different things.
- Car rental insurance is a separate matter. A medical policy doesn’t cover damage to the car: for the rental you need your own insurance (CDW / collision), which is arranged together with the rental.
What to do in case of a claim
- Keep your insurer’s assistance service contact (usually a 24/7 phone line or app) - it’s listed in your policy. Save it to your phone before the trip.
- If you fall ill or get injured, call the assistance service first whenever possible: many policies require treatment to be pre-authorised. If you go to a clinic without it, the costs may not be reimbursed.
- Keep all documents: bills and payment receipts, discharge notes, diagnoses, referrals and prescriptions. Without supporting documents, reimbursement is difficult.
- Check how your policy works: the insurer either pays the clinic directly (direct billing) or you pay yourself and are reimbursed later against your receipts.
- Respect the deadline for filing a claim - it’s stated in your policy terms. Don’t delay: late claims are often rejected.
- Georgia’s single emergency number is 112 (ambulance, police, rescue). In a serious situation, call for help first and sort things out with the insurer afterwards.