Georgia Travel Insurance 2026

TL;DR: From January 1, 2026, all visitors to Georgia must carry valid health and accident insurance. Here is what the new law requires, how it is being enforced, and which policies qualify.

Overview

Travel insurance has always been a smart idea when visiting Georgia. As of January 1, 2026, it is no longer optional. The Georgian government now requires all international visitors to carry valid health and accident insurance for the duration of their stay. This applies to everyone, including passport holders from the 95+ countries eligible for visa-free entry.

Planning a trip to Georgia this year? Whether you fly into Tbilisi Airport, Kutaisi Airport, or cross a land border, you need to understand these requirements before you travel.

What the Law Requires

Government Regulation No. 602 took effect on January 1, 2026. Under this law, all tourists entering Georgia must hold an insurance policy that covers:

• Medical treatment and hospitalization with a minimum coverage of 30,000 GEL (approximately 11,000 USD)
• Accident-related expenses
• The entire duration of your stay, including your arrival and departure dates

The policy can be issued by either a Georgian or international insurance company and must be presentable in English or Georgian, in either digital or printed form.

Who Needs Insurance?

The requirement applies to all foreign visitors entering Georgia as tourists, regardless of nationality or visa status. This includes travelers from countries with visa-free access who previously did not need to show any documentation beyond a passport.

Exemptions apply to diplomatic passport holders, accredited representatives and their families, persons covered by international treaties, and international transport drivers.

What Happens If You Don't Have It?

Travelers without valid insurance may be refused entry to Georgia or face a fine reported at 300 GEL. In practice, airlines are checking insurance documents at check-in and at the gate before boarding. There have been reports of passengers being denied boarding for failing to show proof of coverage. Checks at Georgian passport control and land borders appear to be less consistent so far, but enforcement is expected to tighten over time.

How to Choose a Qualifying Policy

Most standard international travel insurance policies will meet the requirements. Your policy must include Georgia in the covered territory, meet the 30,000 GEL minimum for medical and accident expenses, show dates matching your stay, and provide a certificate in English or Georgian.

International Providers

Traditional travel insurance from established providers like Allianz, World Nomads, or HeyMondo is the most straightforward option. These policies come with clear English-language certificates that airline staff and border officials can easily verify. For longer stays, subscription-based options like SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance renew monthly and cover Georgia worldwide.

Georgian Providers

Several local insurers offer affordable policies designed specifically for visitors to Georgia, starting from as little as 1.5 GEL (about 50 US cents) per day. Options include TBC Insurance, Ardi's Welcomer package, Imedi L, and E-COVER. These are generally cheaper than international policies but may have more limited coverage and support.

Credit Card Insurance

Some premium credit cards include travel insurance that may qualify. You need a formal policy document showing medical coverage, minimum limits, Georgia as covered territory, and matching dates. Card benefits summaries alone are unlikely to be accepted.

How to Show Proof of Insurance

Carry your documents in multiple formats:

• A digital copy accessible on your phone
• A downloaded PDF available offline (in case you cannot connect to Wi-Fi at the airport)
• A printed copy as backup

Your policy certificate should clearly display your full name, coverage dates, the territory covered (including Georgia), the type of coverage (medical and accident), and the coverage amount (minimum 30,000 GEL or equivalent).

Why Insurance Matters Beyond the Legal Requirement

Georgia is a safe country with low crime rates. Healthcare in Tbilisi and Batumi is affordable by Western standards. Outside major cities, though, quality and access drop. In mountain regions where many of Georgia's best road trip destinations sit, facilities are basic and emergency response can be slow.

Road safety is one of the biggest practical risks for visitors. Accident rates are higher than in most European countries. This applies whether you are driving yourself, riding in a marshrutka, or taking a taxi. If you plan to drive mountain roads to Tusheti, Svaneti, or Racha, accident cover and evacuation insurance are essential.

Can You Buy Insurance at the Airport or Border?

No. At the time of writing, there are no facilities to purchase health or accident insurance at Georgian airports or land border crossings. There is no official mechanism to buy insurance on arrival. Airlines may refuse boarding if you cannot show valid insurance before departure. Always arrange your insurance before you travel.

Special Cases

Driving in Georgia

Travel insurance covers your health and accident expenses. It is separate from vehicle insurance. When you rent a car with FSTA, our rental packages include Standard Insurance and full off-road insurance options. Your personal travel insurance handles your medical costs if anything happens on the road. We recommend both.

Cross-Border Trips

If your itinerary includes driving from Georgia to Armenia or vice versa, make sure your travel insurance covers both countries. Most international policies cover multiple countries, but Georgian-issued policies may only cover Georgia. Check your policy territory before planning a cross-border trip.

Adventure Activities

Standard travel insurance may exclude certain activities like off-road driving, skiing, or high-altitude hiking. If your trip includes mountain passes in a 4x4, skiing at Gudauri, or trekking above 3,000 metres, check that your policy covers these activities. If not, add an adventure sports upgrade.

Planning Your Trip

The insurance requirement is one more reason to plan ahead. Arrange your policy before booking flights, carry documents in multiple formats, and make sure your coverage matches your full itinerary. For everything else you need to know before arriving, see our complete first-time visitor guide and our seasonal planning guide. Browse our full fleet to find the right car for your Georgia adventure.

Pros and cons

Rental car or self-drive

• Pros: Best for flexible timing, scenic stops, luggage, and routes that continue beyond one town or viewpoint. Groups can share the daily cost instead of paying per seat on every transfer.
• Cons: One traveler needs to manage navigation, parking, fuel, and local road conditions. It is less useful if the whole day stays inside a walkable city center.

Marshrutka, minivan, or bus

• Pros: Usually the cheapest choice for a simple point-to-point journey. Works well when the plan follows a known route and does not need extra stops.
• Cons: Schedules, luggage space, comfort, and exact arrival points are less flexible. Some services leave when full or require a station transfer.

Flight or airport transfer

• Pros: Can save time on long routes when schedules line up. Useful when the trip starts or ends directly at the airport.
• Cons: Airport time, luggage rules, and onward transfers can reduce the time saved. It does not help with stops between destinations.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start planning this trip?

The best timing depends on weather, daylight, route length, and how many stops you want. Check current opening hours, road conditions, and transport schedules before locking the day.

Is this route safe to drive?

Driving can work well when the route, season, road surface, luggage, and driver confidence match the plan. Avoid rushed days and night driving on unfamiliar rural or mountain roads, and choose a higher-clearance vehicle only when the route genuinely needs it.

Should I use public transport, a driver, or self-drive?

Public transport is usually cheaper, private drivers are easier for door-to-door timing, and self-drive gives the most control over stops and luggage. The best choice depends on distance, group size, comfort, and whether the route needs flexibility.

Can costs change after planning?

Yes. Fares, fuel, tickets, exchange rates, and seasonal prices can change, so treat any guide price as a planning reference and recheck the final cost before travel.

Rental pricing and feature reference

For trips like this guide, these are the current FSTA rental and add-on prices used across the website.

Service	Current price	Booking note
Full off-road insurance	EUR 29/day	For paved and off-road driving with no road restrictions; includes tires, glass, underbody, and scratches with EUR 0 responsibility for covered damage.
Roof tent	EUR 27/day	Available on eligible vehicles, subject to availability and route suitability.
Camping equipment	EUR 149 flat fee	Cooking and outdoor kit rented as one package.
Daily car rental	From EUR 53/day	Current starting rate from FSTA fleet data; model-specific rates are shown in the vehicle comparison table.
Standard Insurance	EUR 9/day	For paved-road trips only; off-road damage is not covered.
Cross-border documents	EUR 89 flat fee	Available for eligible cross-border trips with paperwork prepared before travel.
Yacht trip	EUR 250 flat fee	Private yacht or lake trip for up to 5 people where the selected country and city support it.
Helicopter tour	EUR 3,000 flat fee	Private 3-hour helicopter tour for up to 7 people, with route and takeoff details confirmed after request.
No deposit	Included	No blocked deposit in FSTA rental terms.
Unlimited mileage	Included	Useful for long self-drive routes and cross-country planning.
Free second driver	Included	A second driver can share the road without an extra daily fee.

Expert sources and local authority checks

This guide cites official transport, tourism, road, rail, park, or local travel references where relevant. Fares, travel times, opening hours, and road conditions can change, so FSTA checks these sources and local route notes before publishing.

• Tbilisi Transport Company standard tariff - official Tbilisi metro, bus, minibus, and ropeway fare rules.
• Georgian Railway passenger ticket portal - official train ticket search and passenger schedule checks.
• Roads Department of Georgia restrictions - official road restriction and closure notices for mountain and highway routes.
• Georgia Travel official destination guide - official country destination context for regions, cities, culture, and parks.
• National Parks of Georgia - official visitor information for protected areas and national parks.