New Georgia Entry Rule: Mandatory Tourist Insurance

From 1 January 2026, the country of Georgia has introduced a new legal requirement that all foreign visitors entering for tourism – and many other short‑term purposes – must possess valid health and accident insurance for the entire duration of their stay. This regulation, enacted as part of the Law of Georgia “On Tourism,” marks a substantial change in entry conditions and aims to ensure that visitors are adequately protected against unforeseen medical and emergency costs while in Georgia.

Who Must Comply

This compulsory insurance rule applies to nearly all foreign nationals entering Georgia for travel, business or transit. The insurance must remain valid from the date of arrival until departure and meet specific policy standards that are now checked at border controls and, in some cases, by airlines prior to boarding.

Exemptions

The mandate does not apply to certain categories of travellers:

• Holders of diplomatic, official, service or special passports
• Accredited employees of diplomatic missions, consular offices, and international organisations, along with their dependent family members
• Persons entering under **international treaties or agreements with Georgia
• Drivers involved in international freight or passenger transport operations

What the Insurance Must Cover

For entry to be permitted, the insurance policy must meet the following minimum criteria:

Why This Matters

Georgia’s government states that the new rule is intended to enhance traveller protection and ensure that international visitors have access to adequate medical care without unduly burdening domestic health systems. The policy is also seen as aligning Georgia with a growing number of countries that tie entry privileges to proof of medical coverage. 

In practical terms, tourists arriving without such insurance may be denied entry at the border or, in some cases, face boarding refusals by airlines if they cannot demonstrate valid coverage before departure. Airlines such as Qatar Airways and others have already issued travel reminders to passengers about this requirement.

Preparing for Travel

Prospective visitors are strongly advised to:

• Purchase insurance before travelling, ensuring it meets Georgia’s criteria
• Carry both electronic and physical copies of the policy
• Verify that all required policy elements are clearly stated

This proactive step helps ensure smooth immigration processing and avoids unexpected delays or refusals at the border under the new regulations.

Overall, Georgia’s mandatory tourist insurance policy represents a significant update to its border health and safety framework, reflecting broader international travel trends post‑pandemic and a growing emphasis on risk management for visitors.