Mandatory insurance for foreign visitors entering Georgia was a positive initiative, but gaps in the legislation and enforcement mechanisms mean it is not fully achieving its purpose, according to Lasha Nikoladze, Executive Secretary of the Insurance Association.
The regulation aims to cover emergency outpatient and inpatient medical costs, but effective control remains difficult. Border guards cannot verify what a foreign insurance policy actually covers, while the rules specify limits without clearly defining covered services and exclusions. Clinics may also struggle to recover costs from foreign insurers, particularly in urgent cases.
The problem is especially challenging for regional medical facilities, which often lack the resources to pursue payments or legal disputes with foreign insurers. The insurance industry has already raised the issue with the Tourism Administration, Economy and Foreign Affairs ministries, and the Insurance State Supervision Service.
Nikoladze proposed having a Georgian company administer foreign policies to facilitate payments between insurers and local clinics without increasing costs. He also called for clearer coverage requirements and greater use of Georgian insurance providers. Mandatory health and accident insurance for foreign visitors took effect on January 1, 2026.
