What to Know Before Traveling to Georgia: Visa & Insurance

Georgia is visa-free for Turkish citizens, but mandatory travel insurance is required. Find the document, policy, exceptions and checklist in this guide.

What you need to know before traveling to Georgia starts with insurance: Turkish citizens enter without a visa and can stay for up to 1 year, but as of January 1, 2026, mandatory travel insurance is required. This article covers document choice, policy requirements, exceptions, step-by-step preparation and a checklist.

In brief

Visa-free stay is 1 year; the new-type ID card is accepted for direct entry from Turkey.
The insurance policy must cover the entire stay, with coverage of at least 30,000 GEL.
The policy must be in English or Georgian; it can be presented physically or electronically.
If you're transiting through Georgia to a third country, an ID card alone is not enough — you need a passport.
Do not enter Abkhazia and South Ossetia from outside Georgia; this carries criminal penalties.

The core rule: visa-free entry, mandatory insurance

Turkish citizens do not need a visa for Georgia. The permitted stay period is 1 year. This information is based on an official source; the verification date is August 1, 2026. You can follow the current status on the Georgia visa page.

Even though no visa is required, two conditions apply:

A valid identity document: an ordinary passport, or a new-type ID card if traveling directly from Turkey.
As of January 1, 2026, mandatory travel (health and accident) insurance.

So, add insurance to your plan before buying tickets. The policy must cover the entire duration of your stay; details are given in the sections below.

Holders of diplomatic, service and special passports are exempt from the insurance requirement. The requirement applies to everyone traveling with an ordinary passport or ID card.

Passport or ID card?

Citizens can travel visa-free directly from Turkey to Georgia using a valid new-type ID card. In other words, a passport is not mandatory; an ID card is also accepted. Make sure your card is the new type. For the old-type document, it is not stated that this rule applies; in that case, travel with a passport.

Transit through Georgia to a third country

It is not possible to travel using only a Turkish ID document through Georgia to a third country that is reachable with Turkish identity documents. If your route extends from Georgia to another country, you need to obtain a passport.

Requirements for mandatory travel insurance

As of January 1, 2026, citizens traveling with an ordinary passport or ID card must obtain travel insurance covering health and accidents. The requirements sought in the policy are as follows:

It must cover the entire duration of the stay in Georgia, including the entry and exit dates.
The coverage amount must be at least 30,000 GEL.
It must be presentable in physical or electronic format.
It must be issued in English or Georgian.
It may be issued by a company based in Georgia or by a foreign insurance company.

Holders of diplomatic, service and special passports are exempt from this requirement.

Common mistakes

Having the policy issued in Turkish. The policy must be in English or Georgian.
Keeping the date range too narrow. The entire stay, including entry and exit days, must be covered.
Not checking the coverage amount. The minimum is 30,000 GEL.

If your return date changes, check whether the policy still covers the entire stay. In addition to keeping the policy on your phone, also carry a printed copy.

Exceptions and common mistakes

Those found to have traveled through other countries to Abkhazia and/or South Ossetia, which are Georgian territory, are subject to criminal penalties under Georgian law. Do not enter these regions from outside Georgia.

Another exception is third-country transit. You cannot cross through Georgia to a country reachable with Turkish identity documents using only an ID card; a passport is required.

Other common mistakes:

Heading to the airport without knowing about the insurance requirement.
Traveling with only an ID card while planning to transit through Georgia to a third country.
Making the policy shorter than the stay period.
Keeping the policy only on your phone and running into connectivity or battery issues.

For rules not covered in this article (e.g., currency limits, customs), check official sources. For baggage and cabin rules, check your airline's current rules.

Route selection: Tbilisi and Batumi

The two cities most frequently preferred by Turkish travelers are Tbilisi and Batumi. To combine both in a single trip, allow at least a few days.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and is suitable for a culture-focused city trip. You can plan walks in the old town, museum visits and dining.

Batumi

Batumi is a coastal city on the Black Sea. It is suitable for seaside walks and city exploration.

If you're looking for a ready-made route, Dolu Dolu Georgia Tour: Batumi and Tbilisi Route V3 is an option that covers both cities together. For New Year's, you can check out the Magnificent Batumi: Pearl of the Caucasus 3 Nights tour. Check the tour pages for duration, departure date and included services. For all options, the Georgia tours page can help.

Step-by-step preparation

Choose your document. New-type ID card or passport. If you're transiting to another country beyond Georgia, bring a passport.
Check your document. Make sure your document is valid.
Get insurance. The policy must cover the entire stay, have coverage of at least 30,000 GEL, and be issued in English or Georgian.
Keep the policy accessible. Keep an electronic copy on your phone and a printed copy in your bag.
Finalize your route. Do not enter Abkhazia and South Ossetia from outside Georgia.
Book your tickets and accommodation. If you prefer a tour, compare options on the international tours page.
Check airline rules. For baggage and liquid rules, check your airline's current rules; for liquids, the guide to carrying makeup items on a plane may be useful.

If you're considering renting a car, check the international driving license guide for the required driving documents. Also confirm rental conditions separately with the company.

Checklist before you leave

Before departure, check off each of the following items:

Passport or new-type ID card with you.
Your document is valid.
Travel insurance covers the entire stay, including entry and exit days.
The policy has coverage of at least 30,000 GEL.
The policy is issued in English or Georgian.
The policy is available on your phone and as a printed copy.
If transiting through Georgia to a third country, your passport is ready.
You have no plans to enter Abkhazia and South Ossetia from outside Georgia.
Ticket, hotel and transfer information is on hand.
You have checked your airline's baggage and liquid rules.

Check the Georgia visa page one last time before departure for up-to-date visa information. If anything is missing from the list, complete it before your flight.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Georgia?

No, Turkish citizens enter Georgia visa-free. The permitted stay period is 1 year. However, mandatory travel insurance is required.

Can I travel to Georgia with an ID card?

Yes, you can travel visa-free directly from Turkey to Georgia with a valid new-type ID card. However, if you're transiting through Georgia to another country, a Turkish ID alone is not enough.

Is travel insurance mandatory for Georgia?

Yes. As of January 1, 2026, citizens traveling with an ordinary passport or ID card must obtain health and accident insurance. Holders of diplomatic, service and special passports are exempt. The policy must cover the entire stay and include coverage of at least 30,000 GEL.

What language should the insurance policy be in?

The policy must be in English or Georgian. It can be presented in physical or electronic format. It may be issued by a company based in Georgia or a foreign insurance company.

How long can you stay in Georgia?

The permitted stay period for Turkish citizens is 1 year. Your insurance must also cover the entire stay, including the entry and exit days.

Can you enter Abkhazia and South Ossetia from outside Georgia?

You should not. Those found to have traveled to these regions, which are Georgian territory, through other countries are subject to criminal penalties under Georgian law. Therefore, do not enter from outside Georgia.