Georgia to Require Health Insurance for Tourists from 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, Georgia will require all foreign tourists to carry health and accident insurance as a condition of entry.

This marks a significant shift in the country’s border policy and signals increasing pressure on its public healthcare system, The Caspian Post reports, citing foreign media.

The regulation, outlined under amendments to Georgia’s Law on Tourism and published by the Foreign Ministry’s consular department, applies to visitors of every nationality and for trips of any duration.

Under the rule, travelers must be prepared to show proof of insurance either on paper or in digital format at airports, land borders or seaports. The document must be written in Georgian or English.

Officials say the policy is straightforward; visitors will need coverage of at least 30,000 Georgian lari (roughly $11,000), enough to finance emergency medical care, hospitalization or treatment related to accidents during their stay. Insurance purchased either from Georgian companies or from international providers will be accepted, so long as the policy meets the government’s criteria.

Georgian authorities insist the rule is not intended to deter tourism, a sector central to the country’s economy. Rather, they argue it will improve safety for visitors and prevent public hospitals from absorbing the costs of treating uninsured foreigners. Local officials say that, in recent years, emergency cases involving tourists have strained resources and created confusion over responsibility for medical bills.

The law also establishes strict standards for what the insurance policy must include. Required details range from the identities of the contracting parties to the duration of coverage and the geographic zone covered, which must explicitly list Georgia. Policies covering only part of a trip, or omitting arrival and departure dates, may be deemed invalid.