Tbilisi and Georgia: entry rules, insurance and trip ideas

Georgia packs a lot into a small country: a capital of carved balconies and sulphur baths, a wine tradition thousands of years old, and the Caucasus mountains a few hours away. It is also one of the easiest countries to enter, but since 2026 there is one new rule every visitor must meet.

Entry: visa-free for many, e-Visa for others

According to the Georgian National Tourism Administration, citizens of a long list of countries can enter Georgia without a visa and stay for a full year. The list includes all six Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman), the United States, the United Kingdom and Türkiye, among many others. Citizens of 26 EU member states can also enter with a national identity card instead of a passport.

Citizens of other countries need a visa, which can be requested through the electronic visa portal. The same source says a decision takes 5 to 30 calendar days, depending on the visa category. Indian ordinary passport holders, for example, need a visa, so apply well ahead.

New since 2026: mandatory travel insurance

From 1 January 2026, every foreign tourist entering Georgia must hold valid health and accident insurance. According to Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

• cover must be at least 30,000 GEL;
• the policy must be valid for the whole stay, from the moment you enter until you leave;
• it can be printed or electronic, written in Georgian or English;
• it can come from a Georgian or a foreign insurer.

Holders of diplomatic visas, staff of diplomatic missions and international organisations, and international transport drivers are exempt.

Getting around Tbilisi

Tbilisi has a metro, buses and marshrutkas (minibuses). Ride-hailing apps are widely used and save haggling with street taxis. The old town is compact but hilly and cobbled, so wear shoes with good grip. A cable car links the old town with Narikala Fortress, and a funicular climbs to Mtatsminda Park for the best view of the city.

What to see in Tbilisi

• Old Tbilisi: wooden balconies, church courtyards and the domed sulphur baths of Abanotubani.
• Narikala Fortress and the statue of the Mother of Georgia above the old town.
• Rustaveli Avenue and the Georgian National Museum.
• The Dry Bridge market for Soviet-era curios and old paintings.

Day trips

• Mtskheta: Georgia's ancient capital and Jvari Monastery, both UNESCO-listed, close to Tbilisi.
• Kakheti: the wine region, with the walled hill town of Sighnaghi.
• Kazbegi: the Georgian Military Road to Gergeti Trinity Church, below Mount Kazbek.

Mountain roads

GOV.UK warns that heavy rain, flooding and snow at higher altitudes can make roads and bridges difficult or impossible to use, particularly in remote areas, and that roads outside city centres are often badly lit and in poor condition. In winter, check the road status before heading to the mountains, and consider a local driver.

If you plan to drive, note that Georgia has a lower blood alcohol limit than the UK and that drink-driving punishments can be severe.

Occupied regions

Abkhazia and South Ossetia are not under the control of the Georgian government. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of the country covering these regions. Check the official travel advice before planning any route near them.

Money and customs

The currency is the Georgian lari (GEL). Cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops in Tbilisi; carry some cash for markets, minibuses and rural areas. In Orthodox churches, cover your shoulders and knees; women usually cover their hair, and headscarves are often available at the door.

Georgian hospitality is famous, and meals, especially a supra (feast), can be long and generous. Portions are large: one dish per person is often too much.

Safety and emergencies

GOV.UK describes crime levels as low but advises sensible precautions against pickpocketing in crowded places. The emergency number is 112 for ambulance, fire and police.

When to go

Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September and October) are ideal for Tbilisi and the countryside, and the grape harvest makes autumn the best time for Kakheti. Summers in Tbilisi can be hot; winters are cold, with snow in the mountains.