Since 1 January 2026, tourists entering Georgia must have health and accident insurance. The rule is in Article 12 of the Law on Tourism and Government Resolution No. 602. Here is who it applies to, what policy you need and what happens if you can't show one at the border.
In short: the requirements
| Question | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Tourists entering Georgia — citizens of any country |
| Minimum cover | GEL 30,000 |
| What it must cover | Health and accidents |
| For how long | From entry to departure, the whole stay (up to 1 year) |
| Insurer | Georgian or foreign — any company licensed to sell it |
| Policy format | Paper or electronic, in Georgian or English |
| Who checks it | The patrol police, at the border |
Who counts as a tourist
Under the law, a tourist is a visitor travelling for leisure, business or other personal reasons who stays at least one night and no longer than 1 year — unless they come here to work. Citizenship doesn't matter: the rule is the same for citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan, the EU or anywhere else.
Who is exempt
- Holders of a diplomatic or special visa
- Holders of a diplomatic, official, service or special passport
- Accredited staff of embassies, consulates and international organisations in Georgia and their accredited family members
- People whose entry is governed by an international agreement of Georgia
- Drivers in international freight and passenger transport
What happens if you have no insurance
The Law on Tourism sets no separate fine for the tourist. The real risk is different: under Article 11 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, a foreigner may be refused entry if they have no health and accident insurance or not enough money to live on and return home. A foreigner refused at the border is sent back.
How to prepare
- Buy the policy before you travel and check that it covers Georgia
- The cover must be at least GEL 30,000 or the equivalent
- The dates must cover the whole visit — if you decide to stay longer, extend the policy too
- Keep an electronic copy on your phone; the policy must be in Georgian or English
- If you arrive by car, you also need compulsory car insurance — that is a separate policy
If you were refused entry
A refusal of entry can be appealed. The deadlines are short, so contact us as soon as possible — more in the article 'Refused entry to Georgia'.
How we help
- Before your trip, we check which requirements apply to you
- Appealing a refusal of entry
- Getting a residence permit if you stay in Georgia long term
- Appealing an overstay fine and entry ban
Legal basis
- Law on Tourism
- Government Resolution No. 602 — mandatory insurance for tourists
- Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
Important: this article is general information based on the law in force on the date it was published.
Laws change and every case is different, so it doesn't replace advice from a lawyer. Before you act on it, contact us. MMLAW is not responsible for decisions made solely on the basis of this article.
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