Georgia Travel Insurance 2026: Mandatory Cover, What to Get & Why
From 1 January 2026, Georgia introduced a requirement for visitors to hold valid travel health and accident insurance, so the question is no longer whether to buy a policy but which one. This 2026 guide explains the new rule, the minimum coverage you need, why the standard policy often is not enough for the Caucasus, and how to avoid the expensive mistake of buying at the border. None of this is a substitute for reading your own policy wording, but it tells you what to look for.
The 2026 mandatory insurance rule
Georgia now expects foreign visitors entering for tourism to have valid health and accident insurance covering their stay. In practice you should be able to show a policy — printed or on your phone — written in English or Georgian, with your name and the dates of cover. Because enforcement details and wording can change, the safe approach is simply to travel with a proper policy you can produce on request, exactly as careful travellers already do for most destinations.
How much coverage you need
The headline figure to remember is a minimum of 30,000 GEL in medical cover, which is roughly US$11,000. That number is meant to cover treatment, hospitalisation and the financial fallout of an accident during your trip. In reality, most decent international travel-insurance plans far exceed that, often offering cover in the hundreds of thousands for medical and evacuation — so meeting the Georgian minimum is rarely the hard part. What matters more is what the policy actually includes.
| Cover element | What to look for (2026) |
|---|---|
| Medical & hospital | At least 30,000 GEL (≈ $11,000); higher is better |
| Emergency evacuation | Included — vital for remote mountain regions |
| Adventure / active sports | Add-on for hiking, skiing, riding, paragliding |
| Repatriation | Included in most full policies |
| Baggage & trip cancellation | Useful but secondary to medical |
Why a standard policy may not be enough
The single most common gap is adventure activities. A basic travel policy typically does not cover injuries from skiing, hiking at altitude, horse riding or paragliding — precisely the things people come to Georgia to do. Most insurers sell an "adventure" or "active sports" add-on for a small extra cost (often just a few dollars for the whole trip) that switches this cover on. If your plans include the ski resorts of Gudauri or Bakuriani, the Gergeti Trinity hike, or trekking in Svaneti and Tusheti, add it before you travel.
Why coverage matters in the Caucasus
Georgia is mountainous, and many of its most beautiful places — Tusheti, Racha, Svaneti, the high valleys around Kazbegi — are remote, with basic local facilities and longer emergency response times. Here insurance is less about routine doctor visits and more about emergency treatment and evacuation: getting an injured hiker off a trail or transferred to a city hospital can be slow and costly without cover. If you are driving those mountain roads yourself, read our driving in Georgia guide first, and check seasonal access in the Georgia in winter guide.
Where (and when) to buy
Buy online before you fly. Policies arranged in advance are cheaper, broader and let you choose the add-ons you actually need. Avoid buying at the border: queues can run over an hour, the policies sold there are usually basic and frequently exclude activities such as skiing, riding or paragliding, and they typically cost 30–40% more than the same cover bought online. If you somehow arrive uninsured, it is still better to buy a proper online policy from your phone on arrival than to rely on a stripped-down border product.
A simple buying checklist
- Cover is valid for your full travel dates and your home country qualifies.
- Medical cover of at least 30,000 GEL (aim higher) plus emergency evacuation.
- The adventure/active sports add-on if you will hike, ski or ride.
- You can show proof on your phone or printed, in English or Georgian.
- You have the insurer's 24/7 emergency number saved offline.
How OrbiTrip works
OrbiTrip is a free platform that connects you directly with vetted local drivers. You see a fixed price up front and pay the driver directly — no commission, no online card payment. A reliable driver who knows the mountain roads is itself a safety measure: combined with proper insurance, it is the calmest way to reach Georgia's remote regions. For arrival logistics, see our airport transfers guide.
See drivers & fixed prices for a Tbilisi airport transfer
FAQ
Insured and ready? Sort the rest with our visa & border guide and packing checklist.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Georgia in 2026?
Yes. From 1 January 2026 Georgia introduced a requirement for visitors entering for tourism to hold valid health and accident insurance covering their stay. You should be able to show proof of a policy, on paper or on your phone, written in English or Georgian, with your name and travel dates.
How much insurance coverage do I need for Georgia?
The minimum medical cover is 30,000 GEL, roughly US$11,000, intended to cover treatment, hospitalisation and accident-related costs. Most standard international policies far exceed this, so meeting the minimum is easy; focus instead on including emergency evacuation and the right activity cover.
Does standard travel insurance cover hiking and skiing in Georgia?
Usually not. A basic policy typically excludes injuries from skiing, high-altitude hiking, horse riding and paragliding. You normally need to add an 'adventure' or 'active sports' option, often for just a few dollars, to be covered for the activities most visitors come to Georgia to do.
Can I buy travel insurance at the Georgian border?
You can, but it is not recommended. Border queues can take over an hour, the policies sold there are usually basic and often exclude adventure activities, and they typically cost 30 to 40% more than the same cover bought online in advance. Buying online before you fly is cheaper and broader.
Why is travel insurance important in the Caucasus mountains?
Many of Georgia's best regions, such as Tusheti, Racha and Svaneti, are remote, with basic medical facilities and slow emergency response. Insurance there is mainly about emergency treatment and evacuation, which can be slow and expensive without cover, rather than routine medical visits.
What proof of insurance do I need to enter Georgia?
Carry a policy document you can present on request, either printed or on your phone, written in English or Georgian, showing your name, the insurer, the coverage amount and the dates of cover. It is also wise to save the insurer's 24/7 emergency contact number offline.