Georgia Visa & Entry Requirements 2026: New Insurance Rule Explained
Georgia lets citizens of over 95 countries enter visa-free — many for an entire year. No embassy visits, no invitation letters, no paperwork. Just show up with your passport.
But 2026 brings one significant change that every visitor needs to know about: mandatory travel insurance. Previously recommended, now required. If you're planning a trip to Georgia this year, here's everything you need to get through the border smoothly.
Who Can Enter Georgia Visa-Free
Georgia has one of the most generous visa policies in the world. Citizens of over 95 countries can enter without a visa — and most get a full 365 days, not the 90 days you'd expect.
| Region / Country Group | Stay Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA / Schengen citizens | 1 year | All 27 EU member states + Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein |
| USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand | 1 year | No visa needed for tourism, business, or transit |
| Japan, South Korea, Israel | 1 year | Passport only |
| CIS countries (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, etc.) | 1 year | Russian citizens can enter with internal passport |
| GCC countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc.) | 1 year | All six GCC member states |
| Most Latin American countries | 1 year | Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and others |
| Turkey | 1 year | ID card entry also accepted |
| China | 30 days | Visa-free since 2023 |
| India, Thailand, most African nations | Visa required | Apply through Georgian e-visa portal or embassy |
The full list changes periodically. Check the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the most current visa-free country list before you book flights.
If You Need a Visa
Citizens of countries not on the visa-free list can apply for a Georgian e-visa online. The process takes 5-10 business days, costs approximately $20-60 depending on nationality, and grants a short-stay visa (usually 30-90 days).
You'll need:
- A completed online application
- Passport scan (valid 6+ months)
- Digital photo
- Proof of accommodation
- Travel insurance (mandatory as of 2026)
- Bank statement showing sufficient funds
The 2026 Mandatory Travel Insurance Requirement
This is the big change for 2026. Pay attention.
As of 2026, all foreign visitors to Georgia must carry valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses. This applies to everyone — visa-free travelers, visa holders, and transit passengers staying more than 24 hours. Proof of insurance may be checked at passport control.
What Changed
Previously, travel insurance was strongly recommended but optional. Georgia's tourism authority decided to make it mandatory after several high-profile incidents where uninsured tourists required expensive mountain rescues and emergency medical evacuations — costs that fell on the Georgian healthcare system.
Minimum Coverage Requirements
Your insurance policy must include:
- Medical expenses: Minimum coverage of $15,000 (or equivalent)
- Emergency medical evacuation: Must be included
- Coverage period: Must cover your entire stay in Georgia
- Territory: Must explicitly cover Georgia (some policies exclude the Caucasus region — check yours)
How to Comply
Before your flight: Purchase travel insurance from any reputable international provider. Print or save a digital copy of your policy document. You may be asked to show it at passport control.
At the border: If you arrive without insurance, you can purchase a basic policy at Tbilisi International Airport or major land crossings. However, these border policies are more expensive and offer less coverage than what you'd find online.
Buy insurance before your flight. Airport and border policies cost 2-3x more and typically offer the minimum coverage only. Budget $30-80 for an 8-day trip from a provider like World Nomads, SafetyWing, or Allianz. If you're on our tour, we'll remind you before departure.
What If You Don't Have Insurance
Border officers may:
- Direct you to purchase a policy on-site (available at airports and major crossings)
- In rare cases, deny entry if you refuse to obtain coverage
In practice, enforcement is currently focused on air arrivals at Tbilisi (TBS) and Kutaisi (KUT) airports. Land border crossings check less consistently — but don't count on it. The requirement is real, and enforcement is tightening throughout 2026.
Passport Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Validity | Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure from Georgia |
| Blank pages | At least 1 blank page for the entry stamp |
| Condition | Must be in reasonable condition — no significant damage, torn pages, or illegible photo |
| Type | Ordinary passport accepted. Some nationalities (Turkey, Russia) can also enter with national ID cards |
A Note on Occupied Territory Stamps
If your passport contains entry stamps from Abkhazia or South Ossetia obtained by entering from the Russian side, you may face questioning or denial of entry into Georgia. Georgia considers entry into these territories from Russia to be illegal border crossing. If you've visited these regions from within Georgia (Zugdidi side for Abkhazia), there's no issue.
Entry by Air vs. Land
By Air
Georgia has three international airports:
- Tbilisi (TBS) — Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport. The main hub. Direct flights from Istanbul, Dubai, Warsaw, Berlin, Tel Aviv, Moscow, and dozens more cities.
- Kutaisi (KUT) — David Aghmashenebeli Kutaisi International Airport. Budget airline hub — Wizz Air operates extensive routes from European cities at very low fares. Located 4 hours west of Tbilisi.
- Batumi (BUS) — Batumi International Airport. Seasonal, mainly summer flights. Useful if heading straight to the Black Sea coast.
Kutaisi airport is where the cheapest flights to Georgia land. Wizz Air flies from Budapest, Vienna, Berlin, Warsaw, Athens, and other European cities for as little as $30-60 one-way. The airport is a 4-hour drive from Tbilisi — budget shuttle buses run the route for about $10.
By Land
Georgia has open land borders with three countries:
| Border | Major Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | Sarpi (Black Sea coast), Vale, Posof/Kartsakhi | Sarpi is the busiest. 24/7 operation. Easy walk-across from Trabzon side |
| Armenia | Sadakhlo/Bagratashen, Bavra/Gogavan | Sadakhlo is the main crossing between Tbilisi and Yerevan. Open 24/7 |
| Azerbaijan | Red Bridge (Tsiteli Khidi), Lagodekhi/Balakan | Red Bridge is the main Tbilisi-Baku route. Open 24/7 |
What About Russia?
The Kazbegi/Larsi border crossing (Upper Lars) on the Georgian Military Highway connects Georgia and Russia. This crossing is open, but check current conditions — it closes frequently due to weather, avalanches, and occasional political decisions. Long queues (6-12 hours) are common on the Russian side.
Important: You cannot enter Georgia from Russia through South Ossetia or Abkhazia. These crossings are not recognized by Georgia and using them constitutes illegal entry.
How Long Can You Stay
For most visa-free nationalities: up to 365 days continuously. This is not a typo. Georgia genuinely allows a one-year stay without a visa for citizens of most Western countries, CIS states, and several Asian and Latin American nations.
For countries with shorter visa-free access (like China at 30 days): the specific bilateral agreement applies.
Can You "Reset" by Leaving and Re-Entering?
Yes. If you exit Georgia and re-enter, your visa-free period resets. There is no "180-day rule" like the Schengen zone for most nationalities. Some travelers living in Georgia long-term do periodic border runs to Turkey or Armenia.
While border runs technically work, Georgian immigration is aware of this pattern. If officers suspect you're living and working in Georgia on a tourist entry, they may question you or eventually deny entry. If you plan to stay long-term, look into a residence permit — the process is straightforward and Georgia offers several attractive options for remote workers and entrepreneurs.
Registration Requirements
Georgia has no tourist registration requirement. Unlike Russia (which requires registration within 7 business days) or some Central Asian countries, Georgia does not ask tourists to register with police or immigration authorities.
Your hotel or guesthouse automatically reports your stay to authorities through their booking systems. You don't need to do anything.
If you're staying in a private apartment (Airbnb, etc.), there is no requirement to register yourself. The system is entirely passive.
What Happens If You Overstay
Overstaying your visa-free period or visa is taken seriously:
- Fine: 180-360 GEL ($65-130) depending on the length of overstay
- Deportation risk: Significant overstays (months beyond the allowed period) can result in deportation and a multi-year entry ban
- Future visa issues: An overstay on your record will complicate future visa applications, not just for Georgia but potentially for other countries
If you realize you've overstayed by a few days, go to the nearest Public Service Hall (Tbilisi has several) to pay the fine and regularize your status before attempting to leave. Trying to exit with an overstay without paying the fine can result in detention at the border.
COVID-19 Entry Requirements in 2026
None. Georgia removed all COVID-related entry restrictions in 2023. As of 2026:
- No vaccination proof required
- No PCR or antigen test required
- No quarantine
- No health declaration form
- No COVID-related travel insurance requirement (though general travel insurance is now mandatory — see above)
Quick Reference: Georgia Entry Checklist
| Item | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Yes | 6+ months validity, 1 blank page |
| Visa | No (95+ countries) | Check MFA website for your nationality |
| Travel insurance | Yes (new 2026) | Minimum $15,000 medical coverage + evacuation |
| Return/onward ticket | Sometimes | May be asked at border, especially for long stays |
| Proof of funds | Rarely | Occasionally asked — a bank statement or credit card suffices |
| Hotel booking | Sometimes | Helpful to have, but not strictly required for visa-free entry |
| COVID test/vaccine | No | All COVID restrictions removed |
| Tourist registration | No | Not required in Georgia |
Travel to Georgia with Confidence
Now that you know the entry requirements, the only question left is what to see. Georgia's visa policy makes it one of the easiest countries in the world to visit — and with the insurance sorted before your flight, you'll breeze through passport control.
Our 8-day guided tour handles every detail — transport, hotels, meals, wineries, and a local guide who knows the country inside out. See what's included →
Ready to Experience Georgia?
Join our 8-day small group tour through Georgia. From Tbilisi to Kazbegi to Kakheti wine country. Max 10 guests.
Most likely not. Citizens of over 95 countries — including the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, Russia, and many others — can enter Georgia visa-free for up to 1 year.
Yes. As of 2026, all foreign visitors must carry valid travel insurance covering at least $15,000 in medical expenses and emergency evacuation.
Yes, by air and by land via the Kazbegi/Larsi (Upper Lars) border crossing. However, you cannot enter Georgia through South Ossetia or Abkhazia from the Russian side.
Most nationalities can stay up to 365 days (one full year) without a visa. Some countries have shorter agreements.
No. Georgia removed all COVID-related entry requirements in 2023. No vaccination, no test, no quarantine required.
No. Georgia is not part of the European Union or the Schengen zone. It has its own independent visa policy.
No. Georgia has no tourist registration requirement. Hotels report your stay automatically.
You'll face a fine of 180-360 GEL ($65-130) depending on the overstay length. Significant overstays can lead to deportation and a multi-year entry ban.
