Georgia (GE)
Caucasus gateway with long visa-free stays for many nationalities, low business taxes, mountain-and-wine culture, and a fast-changing 2026 work-permit environment.
Healthcare in Georgia
Georgia has a mixed public-private healthcare system. Citizens and some residents access state-funded programmes, while most expats use private clinics and private/international insurance. Tbilisi has the best specialist capacity; serious trauma, complex paediatrics, oncology, or evacuation-sensitive cases need pre-planning.
Best private care in Tbilisi/Batumi; rural and emergency capacity varies.
Public healthcare: Universal Healthcare Programme
Sakartvelos universaluri janmrtelobis programa
- Primary care for eligible persons
- Emergency care subsidies for eligible persons
- Some maternal/child and chronic disease programmes
- Targeted public health programmes
- Most private expat care
- International evacuation
- Many dental/vision services
- Private room/direct billing unless insured
Private healthcare: Private clinics and hospitals
Accessing care
No strict gatekeeper culture for private care; book directly with clinics or specialists.
Private specialist appointments are often direct; insurance may require pre-approval.
Call 112 or go to a major emergency hospital. Keep cash/card and insurance details ready.
Private hospitals and large clinics handle urgent care; smaller clinics close evenings/weekends.
Many medicines are available in pharmacies, but controlled medicines require proper prescriptions and documentation.
Mostly private, relatively affordable by Western standards; quality varies by clinic.
Private psychologists/psychiatrists and online therapy are the main expat route; English options exist in Tbilisi.
Private maternity hospitals are common in Tbilisi. Check neonatal capacity, C-section policy, insurance waiting periods, and embassy birth paperwork.
Expat-specific advice
- Choose a private clinic before you need one
- Buy insurance including evacuation if budget allows
- Save 112 and clinic numbers
- Check medication legality/availability
- Keep bilingual emergency card
Pharmacies (Aptiaki)
- Painkillers
- Cold medicine
- Oral rehydration salts
- Antihistamines
- Basic stomach medication
Typical costs
| GP visit (with insurance) | 0–50 GEL copay depending on plan; network GP visits often covered in full |
| GP visit (private pay) | 80-180 GEL |
| Specialist visit | 100-250 GEL |
| Emergency visit | 150-800+ GEL before tests/procedures |
| MRI scan | 350-900+ GEL |
| Prescription average | 10-80 GEL |
| Dental check-up | 50-120 GEL |
| Baby delivery | 2,000-8,000+ GEL depending clinic and complications |
Healthcare
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