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.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in Georgia, prioritised.
Georgia's insurance market is developing but increasingly competitive, with several established Georgian insurers and growing availability of international products. The most important insurance for all expats is private health insurance — there is NO public healthcare for non-Georgians. MTPL (mandatory motor liability) is legally required for all vehicle owners. Other products (home contents, life, travel) are available but from a thinner market than Western Europe. Main Georgian insurers: Aldagi (largest, most comprehensive product range), GPI Holdings, GeoMed (health-focused), ALD Insurance, IMEDI L, TBC Insurance (TBC Bank subsidiary). Comparison: georisk.ge provides some aggregated quotes for Georgian insurance products. Claims culture: Georgian insurance claims tend to be processed more slowly than Western norms. Document everything in writing; insist on written claim reference numbers.
Legally Mandatory
- - MTPL (Mandatory Motor Third-Party Liability Insurance) — legally required for all vehicles registered in Georgia. No vehicle can be registered without MTPL.
- - Private health insurance is not legally mandatory but is practically essential — there is no public healthcare for expats in Georgia.
Private Health Insurance — Standard Expat Plan
Coverage at private Georgian hospitals (GHG Group, Mediclub Georgia, Aversi-Rational): GP and specialist outpatient consultations, hospitalisation, emergency, laboratory tests, diagnostics (MRI, CT, X-ray). Does not cover: maternity (unless specifically added; 10-month waiting period applies), pre-existing conditions (exclusion period typically 12 months), dental (separate policy or add-on).
Who needs it: Every expat living in Georgia — no exceptions. The Universal Health Programme covers Georgian citizens only. Without health insurance, all medical costs are out-of-pocket.
Annual cost: 600–2,400 GEL/year individual (50–200 GEL/month); 2,400–7,200 GEL/year family of 4. Prices increase significantly with age (over 50) and pre-existing conditions.
GeoMed is the most widely accepted network insurer — many Tbilisi clinics are part of the GeoMed network making cashless claims easy. Aldagi offers the broadest range of plans and add-ons. Compare: (1) hospital network coverage (is Mediclub/GHG/Aversi covered?); (2) inpatient room limit (private vs ward); (3) outpatient annual limit; (4) emergency room deductible; (5) international emergency coverage (do you need medical evacuation?). Buy before arriving — some insurers do not enrol new members who are already in Georgia.
MTPL — Mandatory Motor Third-Party Liability
Covers damage and injury caused to third parties (other vehicles, property, pedestrians) in accidents you cause. Does NOT cover your own vehicle or your own injuries.
Who needs it: Every vehicle owner/driver in Georgia. Legally mandatory — cannot register a vehicle without it.
Annual cost: 150–400 GEL/year. Varies by: vehicle type (car vs motorcycle), engine size, age of vehicle. Standard passenger car: typically 200–300 GEL/year.
Purchase MTPL before attempting vehicle registration at SLSG. Many Georgian insurers offer online purchase of MTPL — print the certificate for the registration appointment. Annual technical inspection (also required for registration): 30–50 GEL at SLSG-approved inspection stations. Driving without MTPL: significant fine and possible vehicle impoundment.
Travel Insurance
Medical coverage, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and lost baggage for trips outside Georgia. Essential for visits to Schengen Area (required for Schengen visa application) and recommended for all international travel.
Who needs it: All expats travelling outside Georgia. Mandatory for Schengen visa applications (requires minimum EUR 30,000 medical coverage).
Annual cost: Annual multi-trip policy: 150–400 GEL/year from Georgian insurers. Per-trip policies: 20–80 GEL/trip depending on destination and duration.
SafetyWing is extremely popular with digital nomads in Georgia — covers medical outside Georgia and some activities (USD 40/month). Aldagi and GPI offer Schengen-compliant policies for visa applications. For Schengen visa, ensure the policy explicitly states: EUR 30,000 minimum coverage, valid in all Schengen states, covers medical repatriation.
International Health Insurance
Global coverage including medical evacuation, treatment in home country, and worldwide network. Appropriate for expats who travel frequently or want the option of treatment in Western Europe or the USA.
Who needs it: Expats with frequent international travel, those with complex health histories, families with children requiring specialist care, or expats in senior roles with high income.
Annual cost: 2,400–7,200 USD/year individual; 6,000–18,000 USD/year family. Significantly more expensive than Georgian local plans.
For most expats living primarily in Tbilisi, a Georgian local plan plus separate annual travel insurance for trips abroad is far cheaper and sufficient. International plans make sense for expats with complex medical needs or those rotating through multiple countries.
Comprehensive Car Insurance (KASKO)
Covers your own vehicle: theft, vandalism, accident damage (including your fault), fire, natural disaster. Complements mandatory MTPL.
Who needs it: Recommended for newer or more valuable vehicles. Optional but prudent given Georgian road conditions (potholes outside main routes, aggressive driving culture).
Annual cost: 300–800 GEL/year for a typical passenger car valued at 30,000–80,000 GEL. Scales with vehicle value and coverage scope.
KASKO is sold in addition to MTPL — you need both. Georgia has significant numbers of uninsured or underinsured drivers, particularly outside Tbilisi — KASKO protects you when the other party cannot pay. Road quality outside major highways varies significantly — KASKO reduces financial risk from road damage.
Home Contents Insurance
Covers personal belongings (electronics, furniture, valuables, clothing) inside your rented or owned property against: theft, fire, water damage from burst pipes, and storm. Does not cover the building structure (that is the landlord's responsibility for renters).
Who needs it: Recommended for all renters with valuable electronics, cameras, or belongings. Especially useful for expats who travel and leave property unattended.
Annual cost: 100–400 GEL/year depending on declared value of insured items. Low relative to Western European prices.
The Georgian home contents insurance market is smaller than Western Europe — fewer products and customisation options. Document all valuables with photos and serial numbers before insuring — required for successful claims. Some landlord contracts require tenants to hold contents insurance.
Life Insurance (Term)
Pays a lump sum to named beneficiaries on the policyholder's death within the policy term. Provides financial security for dependants in Georgia or home country.
Who needs it: Expats with family dependants in Georgia or abroad. Self-employed expats without employer life cover. Anyone with significant debts or dependant family.
Annual cost: 200–600 GEL/year for standard term life cover (30–45 years old, non-smoker). Varies significantly with age, health, and coverage amount.
Georgian term life products are reasonably priced. International life insurance from home country providers may also be maintained while abroad — check portability terms. Combined life + health packages often available at discounted rates.
Dental Insurance
Covers dental consultations, fillings, extractions, root canals, and sometimes implants at Georgian private dental clinics.
Who needs it: Optional for most expats — dental care is so affordable in Georgia that insurance may not be cost-effective. A root canal costs 80–150 GEL without insurance; dental implant 600–1,200 GEL.
Annual cost: 100–300 GEL/year for basic dental cover. Standalone dental plans are limited in Georgia.
Given Georgia's world-class affordable dental care, most expats find it cheaper to pay dental costs out-of-pocket than to insure them. A comprehensive dental check and any needed work on arrival is recommended — the savings vs Western dental prices easily justify 1–2 treatments.
Comparison sites
Buy health insurance BEFORE arriving in Georgia — some Georgian insurers do not accept new applicants who are already in-country.
Review your health insurance annually — the Georgian insurance market changes; better products may be available, and your health needs may have evolved.
Always confirm which hospitals are in your insurer's cashless network before choosing a plan. GeoMed-network hospitals vs independent hospitals can make a significant difference in out-of-pocket costs.
For Schengen visa applications, get a dedicated Schengen-compliant travel insurance certificate in English from Aldagi or GPI — this is different from your standard health insurance.
Pre-existing conditions: disclose all pre-existing conditions honestly on health insurance applications — undisclosed conditions void claims.
Emergency contacts: save your health insurer's 24/7 emergency number in your phone before you need it. Aldagi and GeoMed both have 24-hour emergency lines.
Photography of valuables: photograph and video all valuable possessions (laptop, camera, jewellery) with serial numbers visible before insuring — essential for any theft or damage claim.
Insurance
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