Travel Insurance for Georgia — What You Need to Know in 2026

Since January 1, 2026, Georgia requires all foreign tourists to carry valid health and accident insurance. Without a policy, you may be denied entry – checks happen at passport control in airports, land borders, and seaports. The minimum coverage is 30,000 GEL (approximately $11,000), the policy must be in Georgian or English, and it must cover the entire duration of your stay.

Key points:

• Insurance is mandatory – Georgia's Law on Tourism requires every tourist to hold a valid policy, regardless of nationality or length of stay.
• Minimum coverage – at least 30,000 GEL (~$11,000), including emergency outpatient care (from 5,000 GEL) and hospitalization.
• Policy format – paper or electronic (a PDF on your phone works), in Georgian or English.
• Any insurer accepted – both Georgian and foreign insurance companies qualify.
• Buying at the border is possible but costly – expect queues, limited plan options, and prices 30-40% higher than online.
• Exemptions – diplomats, holders of official/service/special passports, and accredited staff of international organizations.
• No valid policy – entry denial or delay until you purchase one on the spot.

A standard travel policy for Georgia must include at least three blocks: emergency medical care, hospitalization, and accident-related expenses. In practice, the scope of coverage depends heavily on the plan tier.

Basic plans (START level) typically cover ambulance calls and initial clinic visits but come with significant limitations: low dental caps (often no more than $100-200), no coverage for pre-existing conditions, and exclusion of sports injuries. Higher tiers (GOLD, MAX+) add evacuation, repatriation, extended dental, lost baggage, and active lifestyle coverage.

If you are planning to hike to Gergeti Trinity Church, ski in Gudauri or Bakuriani, go paragliding, or try rafting – a standard "quiet rest" policy will not be enough. For mountain routes, helicopter evacuation coverage is critical, and it is only available in higher-tier plans.

Important: Georgian mountain trails often reach 2,000-3,000 m elevation. Make sure your policy covers high-altitude medical assistance and emergency evacuation.

Policy prices depend on age, trip duration, and coverage level. Below are current rates from a popular online provider (Updated: February 2026).

You can purchase a policy through Ekta – the process takes 2-3 minutes, and the document arrives by email as a PDF. Policies are issued in English and comply with Georgian legal requirements.

For comparison: buying insurance at Tbilisi International Airport or a land border crossing costs 30-40% more on average, with plan choices limited to basic tiers without sports coverage.

How to choose a plan:

• Beach holidays in Batumi or city walks in Tbilisi – START or GOLD is sufficient.
• Trekking, skiing, rafting – only a plan with the "Extreme / sport" option.
• Trips longer than 14 days or age 60+ – GOLD or MAX+ makes sense, because the savings on a basic plan are negligible compared to the risks.

The quality of medical care in Tbilisi and Batumi is solid – the capital has JCI-accredited clinics. Well-known facilities include American Hospital Tbilisi, MediClub Georgia, and Evex Hospitals. Staff at these institutions speak English and operate to international standards.

Outside major cities – in Mestia, Stepantsminda, Borjomi – the situation is different. Small regional hospitals can provide first aid, but serious cases require transportation to Tbilisi or Kutaisi. This is precisely why medical evacuation coverage matters.

Approximate medical costs without insurance:

These prices look low compared to Western Europe, but without insurance, even a broken bone on a mountain trail with helicopter evacuation can cost several thousand dollars. A $7-12 policy eliminates that risk entirely.

The process is straightforward, but it is important to know it before anything happens:

1. In an emergency, call 112 – ambulance services in Georgia are free and respond quickly, especially in cities.
2. As soon as your condition allows, contact your insurance company's assistance line (the number is on your policy). They will direct you to a partner clinic or confirm coverage at the hospital where the ambulance takes you.
3. Keep all documents: discharge summaries, receipts, referrals. Without them, reimbursement becomes more difficult.
4. Major hospitals in Tbilisi are familiar with guarantee letter procedures from foreign insurers – in many cases, the company pays the clinic directly without your involvement.

Note: Some policies require you to call the assistance line before visiting a clinic. If you seek treatment without prior authorization, the insurer may deny the claim or cover only part of the expenses.

Georgia is a magnet for mountain enthusiasts, and a standard "quiet rest" policy often falls short. Here is what you need depending on your activity:

The ski resorts of Gudauri and Bakuriani are far from major hospitals. In case of a serious injury on the slopes, helicopter evacuation is the only fast option, and without insurance, it can cost $3,000-5,000 or more.

1. Is insurance required to enter Georgia in 2026?

Yes, since January 1, 2026, health insurance is mandatory for all foreign tourists. Policies are checked at passport control at Tbilisi International Airport, Kutaisi International Airport, Batumi International Airport, and land border crossings. Entry may be refused without a valid policy.

2. What is the minimum coverage required?

At least 30,000 Georgian lari (approximately $11,000). The policy must cover emergency outpatient care and hospitalization for the entire duration of your stay. Documents are accepted in Georgian or English, in paper or electronic format.

3. How much does the cheapest insurance cost?

From $7 for 7 days – this is the basic START plan for quiet rest. The extended GOLD plan costs from $12, and the premium MAX+ with maximum coverage starts at $42. Active travel and sports plans are higher: GOLD Sport from $37, MAX+ Sport from $125 per week.

4. Can I buy insurance at the border?

Yes, airports and major land crossings have insurance sales points. However, prices are 30-40% higher, plan options are limited, and queues may delay your border crossing. The best approach is to purchase online before departure – it takes 2-3 minutes.

5. Does a standard policy cover skiing in Gudauri?

No. Standard "quiet rest" policies exclude sports injuries. For skiing, snowboarding, trekking, and other activities, you need a plan with the "Extreme / sport" option. Make sure the policy includes medical evacuation – the nearest major hospitals are in Tbilisi, over 2 hours' drive from Gudauri.

Since 2026, travel insurance is not a recommendation but a legal requirement for entering Georgia. A basic policy costs from $7 per week – a fraction of potential medical expenses. For standard city trips, START or GOLD plans are sufficient; for mountains and active holidays, only a plan with sports coverage and evacuation will do. Buy your policy online in advance: it is cheaper, faster, and guarantees a smooth border crossing.

Read also:

• eSIM for Travel: How to Save on Roaming Charges