Compulsory health insurance for foreigners in Georgia: what is known at this point

The topic of compulsory medical insurance for foreign citizens entering Georgia remains one of the most discussed. Despite the lack of definitive clarification from the authorities, a basic picture of future requirements has already emerged. Below is the latest information gathered as of the present moment.

When is the requirement planned to be introduced?

According to the initiatives under discussion, from January 1, 2026, foreign citizens entering Georgia will be required to have a valid medical insurance policy. During interdepartmental meetings, the option of postponing the introduction of the rule until the summer of 2026 was considered, but most participants are inclined to start in January.

Who will be affected by compulsory insurance

According to preliminary information, the requirement will only apply to foreign citizens who are not residents of Georgia and do not have a residence permit.

Thus:

• persons with a residence permit,
• tax and permanent residents,

are expected to be exempt from this rule.

Insurance policy requirements

The insurance policy is expected to meet the following conditions:

• be issued in paper or electronic form;
• be written in Georgian or English;
• be issued by both a Georgian and a foreign insurance company;
• have insurance coverage of at least 30,000 GEL.

Mandatory information in the insurance policy

The policy must contain a standard set of data, including:

• the parties to the insurance,
• the territory covered by the insurance,
• the object and risks of insurance,
• the start and end dates,
• the limits of insurance coverage,
• the amount of the insurance premium,
• the procedure and deadline for its payment.

Validity period and control

The validity period of the insurance policy must fully cover the period of the foreigner’s stay in Georgia — from the moment of entry to the moment of departure. It is highly likely that the existence and validity of insurance will be checked not only upon entry but also upon departure from the country.

At the same time:

• the mechanism for fines and liability has not yet been officially published;
• there are no clarifications regarding foreign citizens who entered Georgia before the rule came into force.

Practical recommendation

Until official instructions and subordinate legislation are issued, it would be wise for foreign citizens planning to travel to Georgia in the coming months to take out at least short‐term (e.g., monthly) medical insurance.

The practical application of the new rules will likely become clearer in the first few months after their introduction, and this experience will be particularly revealing.