Georgia: qué saber antes del viaje

Lo esencial

Since 1 Jan 2026 travel medical insurance is mandatory: minimum 30,000 GEL coverage for the whole stay (incl. arrival and departure days); airlines and border guards may check.
Medicines with codeine are illegal without special permission — foreigners have been detained even with a prescription.
Do not enter Abkhazia or South Ossetia from Russia: under Georgian law this is illegal entry and can lead to fines or prison.
Russian Mir cards do not work in Georgia; bring cash (USD/EUR) or a foreign Visa/Mastercard.
Working (even remotely for a Georgian client or running a business) needs a work permit under rules in force since 1 March 2026.

Entrada y visados

Citizens of many countries, including the EU, UK, US, Turkey, UAE and most ex-USSR states (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine), can stay visa-free for up to 1 year. Others apply for an e-Visa at the official portal. From 1 Jan 2026 every visitor must have health and accident insurance covering at least 30,000 GEL.

Formularios y permisos en línea

Georgia e-Visa ↗ opcional
Before travel, for nationalities that are not visa-free · Only nationalities that need a visa

Validez del pasaporte: Valid for the whole stay.

En la frontera pueden pedir

Have insurance policy (paper or PDF, in English or Georgian) showing ≥30,000 GEL coverage and exact dates.
Keep proof of onward travel and accommodation handy.

Aduana

Codeine-containing medicines are illegal; other prescription medicines need a prescription and original packaging.
Declare cash over 30,000 GEL equivalent.
Declare anything that may be prohibited or dutiable; strict anti-drug policy.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, geoconsul.gov.ge ↗, evisa.gov.ge ↗, visitgeorgia.ge ↗

Dinero

Se usan tanto efectivo como tarjetas. Las tarjetas se aceptan casi en todas partes.

Redes de pago: Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Apple Pay — funciona · Google Pay — funciona

Dónde cambiar dinero

Street exchange booths in central Tbilisi and Batumi (compare boards; rates are competitive)
Bringing clean USD or EUR notes

Dónde no cambiar

Airport exchange desks (take only a small amount)
Dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and terminals

Cajeros: ATMs (Bank of Georgia, TBC, Liberty) are everywhere and many dispense USD/EUR too; check the on-screen fee for foreign cards and always choose GEL.

Propinas: Restaurants often add a 10–18% service charge — check the bill; otherwise around 10% is appreciated. Taxis: round up.

Mir cards are not accepted.
Cash is still needed in villages, mountain areas and marshrutkas.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, nbg.gov.ge ↗

Normas y prohibiciones

Prohibido

Entering Abkhazia or South Ossetia via Russia
Any drugs; codeine medicines without permission
Photographing military sites and border areas

Leyes que los viajeros incumplen sin saberlo

Smoking is banned in most indoor public places, restaurants included.
Drink-driving limits are very low; police check frequently.
Avoid political demonstrations: foreigners have been fined or denied entry over protest-related incidents.
Register drones with recording capability before public use; foreign visitors must register in person. A separate licence applies to drones over 250g and below 25kg.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Cultura y ropa

Religión: Mostly Georgian Orthodox Christian; churches are active places of worship.

Ropa: Casual in cities. In churches women cover their heads and wear skirts below the knee (wraps often provided at the entrance); men remove hats and wear long trousers.

Etiqueta

Hospitality is central — supra feasts with a toastmaster (tamada); don't drink between toasts uninvited.
Speak calmly about Russia and politics; it is a sensitive topic.
Ask before photographing people, especially clergy.
Taking off shoes is expected in many homes.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗

Clima

Humid subtropical on the Black Sea (Batumi: warm, very rainy), drier continental in Tbilisi and Kakheti (hot summers, cool winters), alpine in the Greater Caucasus with heavy snow.

Mes a mes

enero: Jan: Tbilisi ~0–7°C; ski season in Gudauri
febrero: Feb: cold, ski season
marzo: Mar: chilly, spring starts in lowlands
abril: Apr: mild, blossom; mountains still snowy
mayo: May: warm, green; good for touring
junio: Jun: warm; mountain passes open
julio: Jul: hot in Tbilisi (30°C+); best for mountains
agosto: Aug: hot; beach season in Batumi
septiembre: Sep: warm, grape harvest begins
octubre: Oct: pleasant, rtveli wine harvest, autumn colours
noviembre: Nov: cool, rainy
diciembre: Dec: cold; ski season starts

Mejor temporada: May–June and September–October; July–August for mountain trekking; Dec–Mar for skiing.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: en.wikipedia.org ↗

Qué llevar

Insurance policy PDF (≥30,000 GEL, full stay)
Headscarf / long skirt for churches
Hiking boots and layers for the Caucasus
Rain jacket for Batumi
USD/EUR cash
Prescriptions for medicines

Qué no llevar / prohibido importar

Codeine painkillers or cough syrups
Any cannabis/CBD products
Relying on Russian bank cards

Práctico

Enchufes: Type C/F, 220 V, 50 Hz

Agua: Tap water in Tbilisi is generally considered safe; many prefer bottled or local mineral water (Borjomi, Nabeghlavi).

Circulación: por la derecha

Móvil y eSIM: Cheap SIMs from Magti, Silknet (Geocell) and Cellfie with a passport; eSIMs available. Coverage weak in high mountains.

Apps: Bolt, Yandex Go, Wolt, Glovo, Google Maps, Maps.me

Internet: No significant restrictions.

Salud: No compulsory vaccinations. Rabies risk from stray dogs — consider pre-exposure vaccine for rural trips. Routine vaccines and hepatitis A advised.

Seguro: Mandatory since 1 Jan 2026: health and accident cover ≥30,000 GEL for the whole stay, by any Georgian or foreign insurer.

Emergencias: 112 — all emergencies

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Las normas de entrada cambian. Antes del viaje, consulta la web de la embajada o del servicio de inmigración del país.