This guide covers what the rule says, what a policy must contain, who is exempt, how visa-free entry works, and what else to have ready at the border. It is a planning guide, not legal advice — rules change, so check the official sources listed at the end before you travel.
Quick answer
Insurance: compulsory for all foreign tourists since 1 January 2026. At least 30,000 GEL of cover (roughly US$11,000), valid for the entire stay including the arrival and departure dates, in Georgian or English, on paper or on your phone.
Visa: depends on your passport. Citizens of the EU/EEA, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel and a number of other countries can enter visa-free, usually for up to one year. Citizens of some countries, including India, need an e-visa.
Buy the policy before you fly. Airlines have reportedly asked for proof at check-in, and you can't rely on being able to buy one after you land.
Cash: there's no limit, but amounts above 30,000 GEL (or the equivalent) must be declared at customs.
Don't forget: Abkhazia and South Ossetia are not tourist side trips from Georgia — see the warning near the end.
1. Mandatory travel insurance
What the rule says
Under the Law of Georgia "On Tourism", from 1 January 2026 all tourists entering Georgia must hold a valid health and accident insurance policy. The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the rule on its website, and the U.S. Embassy in Georgia reproduced the text on 31 December 2025. In summary:
- you must present the policy, on paper or electronically;
- it must be available in Georgian or English;
- it can be issued by a Georgian or a foreign insurer;
- the cover must be no less than 30,000 GEL;
- it must cover the full period of your stay, including both the arrival and the departure date.
According to Wikipedia's summary of the legislation, the requirement was set by Government Decree No. 602 of 26 December 2025.
What the policy must show
The official text lists the information a policy has to contain:
- the parties to the insurance contract;
- the covered territory;
- the subject matter of the insurance;
- the start and end dates of cover;
- the insured risks;
- the amount of the insurance sum (the limits);
- the premium, and the place and terms of payment.
In practice, this means a policy certificate that clearly shows your name, the dates, "Georgia" as a covered territory, the medical limit and what is covered. A booking confirmation that says only "travel insurance included" is not enough.
A point where sources disagree
The Ministry text quoted by the U.S. Embassy states a single figure: 30,000 GEL. Some news outlets describe it as a split — at least 5,000 GEL for emergency outpatient care and 30,000 GEL for hospitalisation. We couldn't find that split in the Ministry text itself. To be safe, choose a policy that clearly states a medical-expenses limit of at least 30,000 GEL, covering both illness and accident, and that you can show in English.
Who is exempt
According to the same official text, these groups are exempt:
- holders of diplomatic and special visas;
- holders of diplomatic, official, service and special passports;
- accredited staff of diplomatic missions, consular offices and international organisations, and their accredited family members;
- people whose entry is provided for by Georgia's international treaties and agreements;
- drivers engaged in international road freight and passenger transport.
Ordinary tourists, including visa-free visitors, are not exempt.
Is it checked, and where?
The law authorises a Patrol Police officer to check a tourist's policy at the border crossing. Beyond that, reports are mixed. Guides compiling traveller reports from the first half of 2026 say that some visitors were asked for proof at Tbilisi airport, while others entered by air or by land without anyone asking. Several travellers also report that airlines asked for proof at check-in.
The sensible reading: the obligation is legal and in force, enforcement is inconsistent, and it isn't worth gambling on. A visitor who is asked and has nothing risks a problem at the border; one who isn't asked has lost nothing by being insured, because the cover is what the rule is for.
Buying the policy: before you fly
- Buy online before departure. Several sources say you shouldn't count on buying a policy at the airport or the border: nothing in the legislation guarantees that sales are available at every entry point.
- Check the dates. The policy must cover your arrival day and your departure day. If your plans change and you extend your stay, extend the policy.
- Check the limit and the wording. "Medical expenses at least 30,000 GEL" should be on the certificate.
- Check exclusions for your plans. Hiking in Kazbegi, skiing in Gudauri, paragliding or quad biking may be excluded or need an add-on, depending on the insurer.
- Keep a copy offline. Save the PDF on your phone and carry a printout as a backup.
Existing cover can be enough: if you already hold an annual travel policy, check that it covers Georgia, shows at least 30,000 GEL for your whole stay and can be shown in English.
What this insurance doesn't do
It's health and accident insurance, not car insurance. If you're renting a car, the entry policy won't cover damage to the vehicle or a third party. See traffic rules and fines in Georgia and parking in Tbilisi for driving basics.
2. Visas: who can enter without one
Georgia's visa-free list is set by a separate government ordinance (No. 255), not by the main law, and it is updated from time to time. As a guide, based on several consistent summaries:
| Passport | Typical rule for tourists |
|---|---|
| EU/EEA and Schengen-area countries, UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand | Visa-free, up to 1 year (365 days) |
| Japan, South Korea, Israel and a number of other countries | Visa-free, usually up to 1 year |
| China (ordinary passports) | Visa-free, 30 days |
| India and many other countries | E-visa (evisa.gov.ge) or embassy visa |
Three things to know:
- Always check the official list for your own passport. The table above is a summary of third-party guides, not an official source. The authoritative sources are Georgia's e-visa portal (evisa.gov.ge), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant ordinance.
- Visa-free doesn't mean insurance-free. The insurance rule applies to visa-free visitors too.
- Visas or residence permits of certain countries can open the door. Under a separate ordinance, holders of valid visas or residence permits of some countries may enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If your passport is on the e-visa list, check whether you qualify before paying for a visa.
Passport or ID card?
All visitors need a valid passport, but citizens of some countries — notably some EU member states — may be able to enter with a national ID card. If you can, bring a passport anyway: it's what the border officer, your airline and your hotel are used to seeing, and you'll need it for other things, such as buying train tickets. See how to buy a Tbilisi–Batumi train ticket.
How long can I stay?
For the visa-free nationalities above, up to a year per entry. There's no registration requirement for short tourist stays. If you plan to stay for longer or work remotely, that's a different set of rules and worth checking with the authorities.
3. Customs: cash and the red channel
There's no limit on how much cash you can bring into Georgia, but you must declare cash, cheques and other securities worth more than 30,000 GEL (or the equivalent in other currencies). The declaration applies on the way in and on the way out. Customs has seized undeclared cash at the Sarpi crossing, so it's not a formality.
For most visitors this never comes up. If you're carrying alcohol, tobacco, medicines, expensive goods or anything unusual, check the Revenue Service's rules on allowances before you travel, and use the red channel if you have anything to declare.
4. Abkhazia and South Ossetia
This isn't a day-trip question, but it matters for any visitor with a Georgia itinerary. Georgian law treats Abkhazia and South Ossetia as occupied territories, and entering them through border crossing points other than those located in the Zugdidi and Gori municipalities is an offence under Georgian law. Check your own government's travel advice before planning anything near these areas.
5. Entry checklist
- A passport valid for your trip (and, if you're travelling on an ID card, check that you're eligible).
- Your visa or e-visa, if your nationality needs one.
- A health and accident policy with at least 30,000 GEL of cover, dated to include arrival and departure, in English, saved offline.
- A return or onward ticket and details of where you're staying, in case you're asked. We found no official requirement to show them, but your airline or the border officer may ask, so it's easy to have them to hand.
- Cash declaration, if you're carrying more than 30,000 GEL.
After you land, the practical questions are covered elsewhere: Tbilisi Airport to city centre, money in Georgia and the full Tbilisi travel guide. If you're arriving at Kutaisi on a low-cost flight, see Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance to enter Georgia?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026, all foreign tourists entering Georgia must hold health and accident insurance of at least 30,000 GEL, covering the whole stay including the arrival and departure dates.
Does the insurance rule apply if I don't need a visa?
Yes. Visa-free visitors are not exempt.
Which insurers are accepted?
A Georgian or a foreign insurer, as long as the policy meets the requirements and can be shown in Georgian or English.
Is a digital copy enough?
Yes. The rule allows paper or electronic form. Save a copy offline and carry a printout as a backup.
Can I buy insurance at the airport?
Don't count on it. Some guides say you can buy at entry points; others say nothing guarantees it, and airlines may ask for proof before boarding. Buy before you fly.
What happens if I arrive without it?
The law authorises a border check. Some sources say travellers without a valid policy can be refused entry; others describe other consequences. The outcome isn't predictable, so the safest course is to have a compliant policy.
Do I need a visa for Georgia?
It depends on your passport. Citizens of the EU/EEA, the UK, the US and many other countries can enter visa-free, usually for up to a year. Others, including Indian citizens, generally need an e-visa. Check the official list.
How much cash can I bring?
There's no limit, but amounts above 30,000 GEL or the equivalent must be declared.
Does my insurance have to cover a rental car?
No. The entry rule is about health and accident cover. Car cover is separate.
Sources and date checked
Checked on 2 October 2026. Rules and enforcement can change, so confirm with the official sources before you travel.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, "Entering Georgia" (the text reproduced by the U.S. Embassy): https://www.geoconsul.gov.ge/en/entering-georgia
- U.S. Embassy in Georgia, "Georgia To Require Insurance For All Tourists Starting 1/1/2026" (31 December 2025): https://ge.usembassy.gov/georgia-to-require-insurance-for-all-tourists-starting-1-1-2026/
- Georgia Today, "Georgia to require health insurance for all foreign tourists starting January 1, 2026": https://georgiatoday.ge/georgia-to-require-health-insurance-for-all-foreign-tourists-starting-january-1-2026/
- Travel Trade Journal, 2 January 2026: https://traveltradejournal.com/georgia-introduces-mandatory-health-and-accident-insurance-for-all-foreign-tourists/
- Wikipedia, "Visa policy of Georgia" (summary of Ordinances 255/256 and Decree No. 602): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Georgia
- Georgia e-visa portal: https://www.evisa.gov.ge
- Traveller reports on enforcement (inconsistent): https://gamarjobageorgiatours.com/georgia-travel-insurance-requirements/ and https://slowtravelnews.com/2026/01/02/do-you-need-travel-insurance-for-georgia-new-2026-entry-rules/
- Visa-free durations by passport (summaries): https://cover.ge/en/blog/visa-free-entry-to-georgia and https://sakhva-travel.com/en/blog/georgia-passport-requirements/
- Customs declaration threshold: Georgia Today, "Customs seizes undeclared cash at Sarpi border crossing": https://georgiatoday.ge/customs-seizes-undeclared-cash-at-sarpi-border-crossing/