Georgia introduces compulsory medical insurance for foreigners
From the beginning of 2026, entry to Georgia for foreign citizens will be possible only if they have a valid medical insurance policy. The new requirements apply to all border crossing methods, both through airports and through land checkpoints. The lack of insurance may be grounds for refusal of entry.
Minimum insurance policy parameters:
outpatient care — coverage starting from 5,000 dollars or euros;
hospital treatment — at least 30,000 dollars or euros;
Inclusion of emergency care, accidents, injuries, sudden illnesses, medical evacuation and repatriation;
The registration language is Georgian or English.;
policies from both local and foreign insurance companies are allowed.
For foreigners who are already in the country without insurance, fines are provided: from 300 lari upon the first detection of a violation to 900 lari for prolonged non-payment. The authorities recommend that the new rules be taken into account when planning trips to Georgia.
Thailand: tourists are advised to apply for extended insurance
The Russian Embassy in Thailand has called on Russian tourists to take out medical insurance in advance with coverage of at least 100 thousand dollars. The recommendations relate to the increased frequency of incidents involving tourists, including serious injuries and deaths.
Diplomats advise:
apply for insurance for the entire duration of the trip;
check whether active recreation is included in the policy;
have the contacts of the insurance company with you.
It is noted that the lack of insurance in case of injuries or hospitalization can lead to significant financial costs. At the same time, basic policies for those traveling abroad are relatively inexpensive and are available both through insurance aggregators and as part of premium banking packages.
The European Union has postponed the launch of the ETIAS system
The European Union has officially postponed the implementation of the ETIAS electronic authorization system. Now its launch in a test format is scheduled for the end of 2026, and mandatory application is expected no earlier than April 2027.
ETIAS is intended for citizens of countries with a visa-free regime and will be necessary for travel to the states of the Schengen area. Authorization is issued online before traveling, the cost will be 7 euros.
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