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Georgië: wat je moet weten voor vertrek

Het belangrijkste

  • 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.

Inreis en visa

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.

Online aankomstformulieren en vergunningen

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

Geldigheid paspoort: Valid for the whole stay.

Aan de grens kan worden gevraagd naar

  • 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.

Douane

  • 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.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, geoconsul.gov.ge ↗, evisa.gov.ge ↗, visitgeorgia.ge ↗

Geld

Contant en pinnen zijn allebei gangbaar. Kaarten worden bijna overal geaccepteerd.

Betaalnetwerken: Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Apple Pay — werkt · Google Pay — werkt

Waar je geld wisselt

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

Waar je beter niet wisselt

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

Geldautomaten: 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.

Fooi: 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.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, nbg.gov.ge ↗

Regels en verboden

Verboden

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

Wetten die reizigers onbewust overtreden

  • 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.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Cultuur en kleding

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

Kleding: 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.

Etiquette

  • 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.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗

Klimaat

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.

Per maand
  • januari: Jan: Tbilisi ~0–7°C; ski season in Gudauri
  • februari: Feb: cold, ski season
  • maart: Mar: chilly, spring starts in lowlands
  • april: Apr: mild, blossom; mountains still snowy
  • mei: May: warm, green; good for touring
  • juni: Jun: warm; mountain passes open
  • juli: Jul: hot in Tbilisi (30°C+); best for mountains
  • augustus: Aug: hot; beach season in Batumi
  • september: Sep: warm, grape harvest begins
  • oktober: Oct: pleasant, rtveli wine harvest, autumn colours
  • november: Nov: cool, rainy
  • december: Dec: cold; ski season starts

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

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: en.wikipedia.org ↗

Wat mee te nemen

  • 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

Niet meenemen / invoer verboden

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

Praktisch

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

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

Verkeer: rechts rijden

Mobiel en 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.

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

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

Noodnummers: 112 — all emergencies

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Inreisregels veranderen. Controleer vóór de reis de website van de ambassade of immigratiedienst van het land.