As of January 1, 2026, health and accident insurance will become mandatory for all foreign citizens entering Georgia, as stipulated in the Law on Tourism. While the requirement is already set, the insurance scheme and implementation rules will be defined by a government decree that has yet to be adopted.
The absence of mandatory insurance in the past has caused problems for Georgia’s healthcare sector. According to the Healthcare Association, clinics were required to provide emergency and accident care to foreign visitors, often without compensation, resulting in financial losses for medical institutions.
The insurance industry is now awaiting the government’s decision on how the system will work. One option would allow visitors to enter Georgia with insurance purchased abroad, with checks conducted only at the border. However, insurers say this approach could benefit foreign companies and create challenges related to policy verification and coverage compliance.
The preferred option for the insurance sector is for visitors to purchase policies from Georgian insurance companies, similar to the system for non-resident vehicle insurance. Industry representatives say this model would simplify claims handling in Georgian clinics, support the local insurance market, and could add up to GEL 100 million in annual turnover to the sector.
