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PRO Tip: PRO TIP: Make sure your insurance clearly includes cover for accidents, injuries, sudden illness, and medical repatriation — meaning they will pay to get you home if there’s a serious emergency.
If you’re planning a trip to Georgia—whether for tourism, business, or a road trip across the country—there’s an important legal change that every foreign visitor should be aware of.
Starting January 1, 2026, ALL foreign citizens entering Georgia are required to have valid health and accident insurance.
For travelers renting a car and exploring Georgia independently, this is more than a formality—it’s a key part of planning a safe and stress-free journey.
If you fail to show valid insurance coverage for your time in Georgia, you may face the following consequences:
Until now, Georgia has not demanded that foreign visitors carry health insurance. While this made entry simple, it also created real challenges for the country’s healthcare system.
Under Georgian law, medical institutions must provide emergency and accident-related care to everyone, including tourists—regardless of whether or not they can pay. Over time, this has put a financial burden on clinics, which often had no way to recover costs when uninsured visitors required treatment.
From a traveler’s perspective, the risks are just as real. Medical emergencies, traffic accidents, or unexpected hospital stays can end up extremely expensive without the right insurance coverage—especially if you’re driving long distances or exploring the country’s mountainous regions.
Mandatory insurance is designed to protect both visitors and local healthcare providers, ensuring that emergency care is available without financial uncertainty on either side.
1. Insurance Purchased Abroad
Visitors are allowed to enter Georgia with insurance bought in their home country, with verification carried out at the border. The policy should be in English and/or Georgian.
While buying from a home insurer is currently perfectly acceptable to the Georgian authorities (as long as it meets the above requirements), local insurers have raised concerns that verifying foreign policies could be complicated and time-consuming, slowing down border crossings. They also suggest it might be difficult to ensure that coverage meets Georgian legal requirements, and that most financial benefits would go to foreign insurance companies rather than the local market.
2. Insurance Purchased in Georgia
Our recommended option is to get your insurance from a Georgian insurer, just as you do vehicle insurance when you visit the country and rent a car.
Doing so will simplify any claims you end up having for Georgian hospitals and clinics, and, on the Georgian side, it will improve oversight and compliance and strengthen the domestic insurance market.
For travelers, local insurance will likely mean faster assistance, clearer communication, and easier coordination if medical care is needed.
Georgia already has several reputable insurers in place offering health and accident coverage designed for tourists, business travelers, and long-stay visitors.
Let’s take a look at the top providers. Note that exact daily or weekly prices depend on the dates and coverage you go for once you enter your travel details on the platforms. Remember to CHECK THE SPECIFIC POLICY DETAILS FOR LIMITS AND CONDITIONS before you buy!
Does it meet the legal requirements? Yes, it covers accidents, injuries, sudden illness, medical repatriation, and more!
How much it costs: TBC Insurance offers coverage limits of up to around €50,000. The cost depends on factors like your age and how long you’re traveling, but basic plans can be very affordable, starting at roughly €1.5 per day.
Contact:
Does it meet the legal requirements? Yes, it covers accidents, injuries, sudden illness, medical repatriation, and more!
How much it costs: Imedi L’s insurance for foreign tourists entering Georgia typically comes in set periods (e.g., 3 months for ~€52 and 6 months for ~€86).
Contact:
Does it meet the legal requirements? Yes, it covers accidents, injuries, sudden illness, medical repatriation, and more!
How much it costs: The ARDI Welcomer travel insurance costs roughly €1 per day for travellers under 65, and about €2–2.10 per day for those over 65, They also have a more adventurous variant, Welcomer X‑treme, for around €4–5 per day, with extra risk coverage.
Contact:
Does it meet the legal requirements? Yes, it covers accidents, injuries, sudden illness, medical repatriation, and more!
How much it costs: Plans start at around €10–€15 per month for basic health insurance coverage. Exact weekly or short‑trip travel insurance prices aren’t listed, so head over to their site for specific daily or weekly rates tailored to your trip and coverage limits, or contact them directly.
Contact:
To make it even simpler, check out eCover.ge and einsurance.ge—English-language online insurance marketplaces where foreign visitors can compare and purchase insurance from multiple Georgian providers on one platform.
Both sites allow you to:
This is especially useful for independent travelers, road trippers, or anyone planning a visit at short notice.
Buy on Arrival
You can also buy insurance on arrival at the Georgian border, though this will take time and extra money - up to 30% more than a policy bought online beforehand!
If you’re renting a car in Georgia, having valid health and accident insurance is particularly important. Long drives, unfamiliar roads, and mountain routes all increase the importance of being properly covered.
As Georgia brings in this new tourist entry requirement, travelers should keep their ears open for updated and clarified rules and enforcement procedures. In the meantime, arranging insurance in advance—ideally from a Georgian provider—can help you enjoy a smoother entry, easier access to healthcare, and peace of mind throughout your trip.
At WeRent, we strongly recommend factoring health insurance into your travel planning, just as you would vehicle insurance. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference if the unexpected happens—and it is now the law in Georgia to do so!
Safe travels, and enjoy the road ahead as you explore this incredible country!
If you find yourself in an emergency situation, call 112, Georgia’s unified emergency number for medical, police, and fire services. They have operators who speak good English.
Georgia’s major cities have excellent modern private hospitals and clinics:
Note that most hospitals expect immediate payment, unless your insurer arranges direct billing through their emergency assistance or support center.
Yes. From January 1, 2026, all foreign visitors (including children) must have valid health and accident insurance to enter Georgia.
Minimum coverage is GEL 30,000 (~€10,000) for health and accidents, valid for your entire stay. Adventure sports require an additional add-on.
Yes. Insurance bought abroad or in Georgia is accepted, as long as it meets legal requirements and is in English or Georgian.
You might be fined 300 GEL, with higher penalties for late payment or repeated violations, including possible deportation.
