Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
\nFor security reasons, FCDO advises against all travel to the Russian occupied regions of:
\n\nFCDO also advises against all but essential travel to areas immediately next to the administrative boundary lines with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
\n\nFCDO cannot provide face-to-face support to British nationals travelling in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as UK government employees are restricted from travelling there.
\n\nFind out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
\n\nEscalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.
\n\nYour travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:
\n\nIf you have been impacted by travel disruption and need to review your visa contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\n","slug":"warnings-and-insurance","title":"Warnings and insurance"},{"body":"This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Georgia’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Georgia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Georgian Embassy in the UK.
\n\nIf you’re visiting Georgia, your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit Georgia without a visa for up to one year.
\n\nTo stay longer or to travel for work or study, you must apply for a longer-term visa. Contact the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information.
\n\nThe rules on who can work in Georgia were changed on 1 March 2026. If you are a foreign national and want to work in Georgia, including working remotely or running a business, you must have a work permit.
\n\nA work permit is issued for one year and only for a specific job and a specific employer.
\n\nOnce the work permit is approved, you must then apply for the appropriate visa and/or a worker’s residence permit.
\n\nTo apply for a work permit or get more information, contact the State Employment Support Agency under the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.
\n\nIf you’re in Georgia for more than 183 days and do any paid employment, you’re automatically liable for income tax and must tell the Revenue Service of Georgia. You’ll be fined if you do not comply.
\n\nA small number of British citizens have either been denied entry to Georgia or had trouble leaving. These cases appear to be linked to alleged presence at or participation in political demonstrations, and unpaid fines.
\n\nSome families have reported being denied entry to Georgia due to their child’s passport photo no longer matching their current appearance.
\n\nAll visitors must have appropriate health and accident insurance to cover all healthcare needs during your visit. You may be asked for evidence of this, either by your airline at check-in or by immigration authorities when you arrive in Georgia. You may face difficulties if you do not have this evidence.
\n\nMake sure you have appropriate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. The insurance coverage amount must be no less than 30 000 Georgian Lari. The insurance policy may be issued by either a Georgian or a foreign insurance company.
\n\nThe insurance policy needs to cover the full period of your stay in Georgia, including both arrival and departure dates.
\n\nSee Georgian Visa information for full details, including mandatory information that must be included in the insurance policy.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Georgia guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Georgia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nGeorgia has a very strict anti-drugs policy. This covers prescription and non-prescription medicines commonly available in the UK. For example, non-prescription medicines containing codeine are illegal. This can cause serious problems for travellers and in some cases lead to criminal prosecution. Do not carry medicine that is illegal in Georgia. Even with a valid prescription, foreign nationals have been detained, prosecuted, and fined.
\n\nFor more information on the legal status of a specific medicine, contact the Revenue Service of Georgia or the Georgian Embassy in the UK.
\n\nIf you travel with prescription medicine that is legal in Georgia, you must carry a doctor’s prescription and the original packaging. You should check in advance if your prescription would be acceptable to the Georgian authorities and whether the medicine you carry needs a prescription. You can contact the State Regulation Agency for Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities via email: regagency@moh.gov.ge. Assessment of your enquiry will take approximately one month.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"This guide also has safety advice for regions of Georgia.
\n\nThere is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nTerrorist attacks in Georgia cannot be ruled out. Attacks could happen anywhere and affect western interests and places visited by foreigners, such as tourist sites and cultural events.
\n\n9 September marked the 650th consecutive day of protests. Some of these have led to violent confrontation between police and protesters. In Tbilisi the demonstrations are now mainly focused on the Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue, but they can spread to other areas, particularly on Saturday evenings/nights and on the anniversaries of significant political events. Demonstrations also take place in other cities and towns. Demonstrations may lead to travel disruption.
\n\nTensions can escalate without warning. You should:
\n\nIf you participate or engage in political demonstrations, you may face additional questioning on exit or be refused re-entry to Georgia.
\n\nIf you have unpaid fines, you may be refused exit until these are paid.
\n\nCrime levels are low. You should:
\n\nGeorgian law protects everyone’s human rights and equality, but ethnic minorities and LGBT+ people may face discrimination. Harassment and assault based on race does take place. Those perceived as being part of or supporting the LGBT+ community may face harassment and assault.
\n\nIf someone attempts to assault you or you feel threatened, call the emergency number 112 and ask for the police.
\n\nThere have been reports of drink spiking in Georgia. Be wary of strangers approaching you to take you to a restaurant or nightclub. If strangers offer you food and drink these items may contain drugs that could put you at risk. Buy your own drinks and always keep sight of them to avoid them being spiked.
\n\nFor more information about spiking, read Travel Aware’s information on Spiking and methanol poisoning.
\n\nYou are not legally required to always carry ID, but if the police or a service provider (hotel, bank etc) ask you for ID you are expected to show your passport.
\n\nTbilisi is a cosmopolitan city. There can be more conservative attitudes in rural areas. When travelling outside cities, be aware of cultural sensitivities around modest dress (particularly in places of worship) and showing affection in public.
\n\nPrices may be quoted in US dollars and euros, but goods and services must be paid for in local currency (lari).
\n\nTravellers’ cheques are rarely accepted. Outside major towns, you may not find ATMs or be able to use credit and debit cards. Take enough cash in lari if travelling to rural or remote areas.
\n\nIllegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence of 5 to 25 years and heavy fines for possessing, using, or smuggling of illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.
\n\nAirports in Georgia have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.
\n\nDo not photograph sensitive sites like military bases and power installations.
\n\nBe aware of cultural sensitivities when photographing churches and other religious sites.
\n\nYou must register any drone with a video or audio recording system at the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency before it can be used in a public place. To register you need your passport and a valid email address. Foreign nationals cannot register drones online, so you will need to do this in person at the Civil Aviation Agency office.
\n\nYou must get a special licence from the Civil Aviation Authority for any drone that weighs more than 250g but less than 25kg, even if it does not have a video or audio system.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity is legal in Georgia, and there are anti-discrimination laws, but same-sex relationships are still not widely accepted.
\n\nShowing affection in public may result in discrimination or harassment. Homophobic harassment and assault take place.
\n\nPride marches in 2019 and 2021 were cancelled because the police did not guarantee security. In 2023, a Pride event was cancelled after a violent protest.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nThe Georgian Parliament is expected to adopt a law banning surrogacy for foreign couples soon. Keep up to date and get emails when we update Georgia travel advice.
\n\nIf you’re visiting Georgia to arrange an international surrogacy, consider the risks and challenges involved. Surrogacy is a complex, lengthy process. You should:
\n\nThe British Embassy cannot get involved in surrogacy arrangements or recommend hospitals or clinics.
\n\nCommissioning a surrogacy will not automatically mean that the child holds British citizenship. To bring your child born through surrogacy from Georgia to the UK, you must apply for a full British passport. You need a Georgian birth certificate for this. Check the Public Service Hall and Service Development Agency websites and research the rules for leaving the country with children (some legal details are in Georgian only). You can stay visa-free in Georgia for a continuous period of up to one year. The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has more information.
\n\nAnyone trading with Abkhazia and South Ossetia must have a licence issued by the Georgia government. This includes buying and selling property and most financial transactions. Anyone trading without a licence may face penalties under Georgian civil and criminal law.
\n\nMake sure your travel insurance covers your activities.
\n\nIf you get into trouble during hiking, skiing, adventure travel or extreme sports, the emergency response may be limited.
\n\nOff-piste skiing is very dangerous. It can be difficult to get accurate information on mountain conditions, including avalanche risks. Read preparing for winter sports abroad.
\n\nIf you’re doing extreme sports, consider going with specialist guides. Many insurance policies will not cover damage to rental equipment or skiing off-piste without a guide.
\n\nBe aware that safety standards in Georgia may not be as high as those in the UK. For example, several people were injured when a ski lift at Gudauri malfunctioned in 2018 and a tourist helicopter crashed near Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) in 2019.
\n\nIf you plan to hike close to the administrative boundary lines, consider hiring a professional guide.
\n\nTake usual precautions after dark in unfamiliar areas.
\n\nStreet lighting away from main roads can be poor and pavements uneven. There may be occasional short power cuts – consider carrying a torch.
\n\nTaxi provision and safety has improved significantly. To stay safe using taxis:
\n\nIf you’re planning to drive in Georgia, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Georgia guide.
\n\nYou can drive in Georgia with a UK driving licence for up to one year. If you’re hiring a car, check with the car hire company before you travel whether they will accept the UK licence or whether you will need a 1968 international driving permit (IDP). You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
\n\nDrink driving punishments can be severe. Georgia has a lower blood alcohol content limit than the UK, so avoid alcohol if driving.
\n\nTake care when driving, especially at night. Be aware that:
\n\nConstruction work is currently ongoing in the vicinity of central Tbilisi.
\n\nIf you’re travelling outside Tbilisi, particularly in remote areas, make sure your vehicle is suitable for off-road driving and check weather conditions locally. Access to medical facilities may be limited in remote areas, and available facilities may not have modern medical equipment.
\n\nTake usual precautions with your personal safety and belongings. Compartments on sleeper trains usually have locks.
\n\nThere is a daily train service between Georgia and Azerbaijan.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nThere are frequent small earthquakes in Georgia. The most recent significant earthquake took place in 2022 – a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck 104km south-west of Tbilisi.
\n\nThe US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
\n\nLightning and wildfires are a risk in summer, particularly in the mountains.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"This section has safety advice for regions of Georgia. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
\n\nYou should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
\n\nFor security reasons, FCDO advises against all travel to the Russian occupied regions of:
\n\nFCDO also advises against all but essential travel to areas immediately next to the administrative boundary lines with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
\n\nThe administrative boundary lines with the Russian occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are generally unmarked and away from roads. Take care not to cross the lines – you could be arrested by the region’s self-declared authorities.
\n\nThe Georgia and UK governments do not recognise the unilateral declarations of independence by the Russian occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Following international law, the Georgian government claims the right to exercise sovereignty in these territories. The UK government, along with almost all other states, recognises Georgia’s right to do this.
\n\nConsular support is not available in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
\n\nOwnership of many properties in these regions is disputed. There are thousands of claims to property ownership from people displaced by conflicts following the collapse of the USSR.
\n\nBuying these properties could have serious financial and legal implications, including legal proceedings in Georgia’s courts and enforcement of court judgements elsewhere in Europe. If territorial disputes are settled, this could have consequences. For example, property may need to be returned to its original owners (property restitution).
\n\nIt is illegal under Georgian law to enter Georgia from Russia through South Ossetia or Abkhazia. If you do this, you could get heavy fines or a prison sentence of up to 4 years. If your passport has entry or exit stamps from the self-declared authorities in these regions, Georgian authorities may see this as illegal entry through an unrecognised border crossing.
\n\nIf you’re considering entering Russia by crossing Georgia-Russia land borders, check Russia travel advice. FCDO advises against all travel to Russia.
\n\nThere is some risk from unexploded weapons:
\n\nAreas where there might be unexploded weapons are not always marked. Go with a local guide or tour group if visiting these areas.
\n\nThe land border with Azerbaijan has been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
\n\nIf you visit the Udabno caves at the Davit Gareja monastery site, take care not to cross the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. It is unmarked in this area and disputed. There are border guides in the area – seek their advice if you’re unsure.
\n\n","slug":"regional-risks","title":"Regional risks"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nDial 112 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Georgia, including Gudauri ski resort, Mount Kazbegi, and Mount Tetnuldi. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nHealth risks include:
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nFor more information on travelling with medicines to Georgia, see Entry requirements. For information on the legal status of a specific medicine, contact the Georgian Embassy in the UK.
\n\nThe UK does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Georgia. You or your travel insurer will need to pay for all treatment as it’s provided.
\n\nMedical facilities in Tbilisi are available but can be expensive. Outside Tbilisi, medical facilities are limited.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Georgia where some staff will speak English.
\n\nThere is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Georgia.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Georgia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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