Travel insurance for Georgia
Georgia is not a member of the EU or the EEA, so the European Health Insurance Card is not valid there. Medical services in Tbilisi are good, but in mountainous regions, assistance is harder to access and evacuation is expensive.
Why is it worth having travel insurance when visiting Georgia?
Georgia attracts visitors with its mountains, hiking, and skiing—but for this very reason, the risk profile differs from that of beach destinations. The majority of claims are related not to illness, but to injuries sustained in remote areas.
What to expect in Georgia
- The EHIC is not valid — Georgia is not a member of the EU or the EEA.
- There are good private clinics in Tbilisi and Batumi.
- In mountainous regions—Kazbegi and Svaneti—medical assistance is limited.
- The journey to the nearest hospital can take several hours.
- In complex cases, helicopter evacuation is required.
What insurance does
- Covers essential medical aid up to the selected limit.
- Organizes and pays for medical evacuation from a remote area.
- Covers transportation to an appropriate medical facility in Tbilisi.
- Covers repatriation to Lithuania if treatment is continued at home.
- The assistance service operates 24/7.
What kind of protection is worth choosing for a trip to Georgia?
For a trip to Georgia, the most important factors are not only the medical expense limit but also whether the coverage extends to your planned activities and evacuation from hard-to-reach areas.
Essential
- Medical expenses
- Medical evacuation and repatriation — the most important protection in the mountains.
- 24-hour assistance service
- Accident insurance
It is worth considering.
- Coverage for active pursuits — mountain hiking, skiing, paragliding, rafting.
- Baggage
- Civil liability
- Trip cancellation — mountain routes depend on weather conditions.
Important things to know before traveling to Georgia
Five things worth checking before a trip to Georgia.
- Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Most insurers do not provide coverage for these territories, and Lithuanian authorities advise against traveling there. Insurance coverage may cease to be valid upon entering these areas.
- The EHIC is not valid. Georgia is not a member of the EU or the EEA.
- Active activities must be declared. Mountain hiking, skiing in Gudauri or Bakuriani, paragliding, and rafting are often not included in standard insurance coverage.
- Height and distances. In the Kazbegi and Svaneti regions, the journey to the hospital is long, and in winter, some roads are difficult to traverse.
- Driving. Mountain roads require experience—if you plan to rent a car, check the terms of your insurance policy.
Mountain hiking and active leisure activities
Most travelers visit Georgia for the mountains. This means that a standard basic package might not cover the very reason you are traveling there.
Summer season
- Hiking routes in Kazbegi, Svaneti, and Tusheti
- Multi-day treks with overnight stays in the mountains
- Mountain river rafting
- Paragliders and mountain bikes
- Horseback riding on secluded trails
Alpine hikes often have a height limit above which protection is no longer valid – it’s worth checking the rules.
Winter season
- Skiing and snowboarding in Gudauri, Bakuriani, and Mestia
- Skiing that transcends the boundaries between freeride and groomed runs
- Snowmobiles
- Mountain roads with restricted access
In many insurance policies, skiing off-piste is considered a separate risk or is not covered at all.
Highlights of Georgia. An injury sustained in the mountains differs from one in the city not in the cost of treatment, but in the cost of transport to medical care. Evacuation from a remote route—especially by helicopter—represents the most expensive component of these costs, and it is covered only if the activity was declared when the policy was purchased.
What determines the cost of insurance for travel to Georgia?
Georgia as a destination is not expensive in itself, but the cost can be significantly increased by insurance for active pursuits—which is precisely what is most often needed there.
- Duration of the trip.
- Age and number of travelers.
- Medical expense limit.
- Planned activities. Hiking, skiing, paragliding, and rafting are priced separately and account for the main difference in price.
- Evacuation protection. It is the most important thing for mountain routes.
- Additional safeguards. Baggage, civil liability, trip cancellation.
- Insurer’s rate. Conditions regarding active pursuits vary the most among insurers.
How do I purchase travel insurance for a trip to Georgia?
1
Enter trip details
Dates, traveler ages, and number of travelers. The destination “Georgia” has already been selected.
2
Compare offers
You will see the prices and coverage details of several insurers operating in Lithuania in one place.
3
Select guards
Add coverage for baggage, civil liability, or active pursuits if needed.
4
Pay and receive the policy
You will receive the insurance certificate via email immediately after payment.
Important. The insurance policy must be purchased while still in Lithuania—we recommend doing so at least 24 hours before departure. Insurance cannot be purchased once you have already left.
What should you do in the event of an incident in Georgia?
In Georgia, the most important thing is not to delay making the call. If an incident occurs in the mountains, the assistance service only has time to organize transport or evacuation if they are notified immediately.
1
Call emergency services.
The number is listed on your insurance certificate. The service operates 24 hours a day and speaks Lithuanian or English.
2
Follow the instructions.
The assistance service will specify which medical facility to contact and will often communicate with it directly.
3
Keep all documents safe.
Bills, prescriptions, doctor’s reports, receipts. Without them, it will not be possible to reimburse the costs.
4
Notify the insurer
Upon your return, submit the documents to the insurer. If you need assistance, contact “Man ramu”.
Important in Georgia. If the incident occurs in a remote area, first notify your tour guide or accommodation provider and contact the assistance service as soon as possible. Costs for independently arranged evacuations are not always reimbursed; the decision regarding the method of transport is usually made by the insurer.
Insurance Terms and Documents
Before purchasing insurance, familiarize yourself with the chosen insurer’s terms and conditions—they specify the exact scope of coverage and the events that are excluded from coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EHIC valid in Georgia?
Is the insurance valid in Abkhazia and South Ossetia?
Are mountain hikes covered?
Is skiing in Gudauri or Bakuriani covered?
What covers mountain evacuation?
Is medical care in Tbilisi good?
Can I insure the whole family under a single policy?
Can I purchase insurance while already in Georgia?
Calculate insurance for Georgia
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