Georgia Travel Insurance for Cypriot Travelers
Since 1 January 2026 Georgia requires every visitor, including EU citizens from Cyprus, to carry valid health insurance at the border. Your EHIC card does not cover Georgia. Cover issues a Decree 602-compliant policy in two minutes, accepts Cypriot Visa and Mastercard, and emails a bilingual English/Georgian PDF that works on your phone at Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and every land crossing.
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Entering Georgia from Cyprus in 2026
Cypriot passport holders enjoy generous visa-free access to Georgia. The only new requirement for 2026 is proof of valid health insurance at the border.
- Visa-free for up to 365 days
- As EU citizens, Cypriot passport holders enter Georgia visa-free and can stay for up to one year (365 days) per visit. A passport valid for the duration of the stay is sufficient; a national ID card alone is not accepted for entry to Georgia.
- Flights from Cyprus to Georgia
- Direct seasonal flights from Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO) to Kutaisi (KUT) operate via low-cost carriers in the summer months. Year-round one-stop options run via Athens (Aegean), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines, Pegasus), Tel Aviv (Israir, Arkia), and Dubai (Emirates, flydubai). Tbilisi (TBS) is the main international hub.
- Documents at the border
- Cypriot passport (valid for the stay), proof of Decree 602 insurance, and sometimes short questions about purpose of visit and length of stay. Cypriot ID cards alone are not accepted - you need a passport. The insurance PDF opens directly on your phone, no print copy needed.
- Insurance checked at airline check-in
- Some Turkish, Israeli, and Gulf carriers now ask for insurance proof at check-in in Larnaca, Athens, or your connecting hub. Save the PDF to your phone before flying; it works offline once downloaded once.
What the policy must include under Decree 602
- At least 30,000 Georgian lari (about 10,000 EUR) of coverage per traveler
- Valid for the entire stay in Georgia, from entry date through exit date with no gaps
- Digital or printed PDF, both accepted
- In English or Georgian, the only two languages Decree 602 accepts. Cover issues every policy bilingually in English and Georgian; there is no official Greek version. The document you show at the border is the English/Georgian PDF.
These are the requirements checked by the Insurance State Supervision Service of Georgia (ISSSG). Source: Government of Georgia Decree No. 602 (full text)
Your EHIC card does not cover Georgia
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a common misconception for Cypriot travelers. It is essential to understand what it does and does not cover before relying on it for a Georgia trip.
EHIC covers EU/EEA + Switzerland only
Your Cypriot EHIC card entitles you to state-provided healthcare in EU member states, the EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), Switzerland, and the United Kingdom under specific arrangements. Georgia is not in any of these groups - no bilateral healthcare agreement exists.
Decree 602 is a separate document
Even if you carried valid private travel insurance from Cyprus that mentions Georgia, Georgian border officers check for a policy issued in English or Georgian, stating exact trip dates, with at least 30,000 GEL of cover. Most Cypriot EU-focused policies do not meet all three criteria.
Private Cypriot travel insurance may not be accepted
Policies from CNP Cyprialife, Universal Life, Eurolife, or similar Cypriot insurers are often written in Greek or designed for EU destinations. Even with valid worldwide cover, the language and format requirements of Decree 602 often cause border friction. A separate Cover policy avoids that risk entirely.
Short version: EHIC is for EU healthcare. Georgia is not in the EU. A Decree 602 policy is mandatory regardless of what other insurance you carry.
Paying from Cyprus
Cypriot Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards work without restrictions. The charge is in EUR or USD; if EUR, no conversion is needed - your statement shows the exact amount with no forex markup.
Cypriot Visa or Mastercard
Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards issued by Bank of Cyprus, Hellenic Bank, Eurobank Cyprus, AstroBank, Alpha Bank Cyprus, and other Cypriot banks work directly. SEPA / EU consumer protections apply.
Apple Pay or Google Pay
If your card is linked to Apple Pay or Google Pay, checkout is a single tap. Both are widely supported by Cypriot banks and our payment processor.
Pay in EUR with no conversion
You can choose to be charged in EUR via the currency switcher at the top of the page. EUR is one of the supported currencies, so there is no exchange rate or forex markup on your statement - you pay exactly what is quoted.
At the border
- Open the PDF before arrival; it stays cached on your device and works offline
- Show it alongside your Cypriot passport when an officer asks
- Officers may ask short questions about purpose of visit, accommodation, and length of stay; simple answers in one or two sentences are enough
- If insurance is not asked for, that is normal because checks are random. But carrying valid cover is mandatory; without it you may be denied entry or fined
Escape the Mediterranean heat, ski in winter
Many Cypriots travel to Georgia from June to September to escape summer heat. Tbilisi averages 25-30°C in summer and the Caucasus mountains (Kazbegi, Svaneti, Tusheti) are noticeably cooler. From December to March, Gudauri and Bakuriani offer accessible skiing within a half-day drive of Tbilisi - a different experience from Troodos. Cover policies start at 2-day trips and run up to 365 days, so one policy spans your full itinerary.
Long stays, remote work, and second homes
Cypriots increasingly spend extended periods in Georgia - remote work from Tbilisi, second-home purchases in Batumi, or family stays with relatives in the region. Cover policies run up to 365 days on a single PDF. The long-term page shows the flat daily rate, extension options, and what happens if you later apply for a residence permit.
See long-term policy details →Frequently asked questions
Does my EHIC card or Cypriot private insurance cover Georgia?
EHIC: no. The European Health Insurance Card only covers EU/EEA states, Switzerland, and the UK under specific terms. Georgia is not included - there is no bilateral healthcare agreement. For Cypriot private travel insurance (CNP Cyprialife, Universal Life, Eurolife, AIG Cyprus, etc.), it depends on three things: (1) coverage of at least 30,000 GEL (about 10,000 EUR), (2) the policy is written in English or Georgian, and (3) the exact trip dates are stated on the policy. Many EU-focused Cypriot policies do not meet all three criteria, and Georgian border officers occasionally reject policies they cannot quickly verify. A separate Cover policy is the simplest way to avoid an entry issue.
Can I use my Cypriot ID card to enter Georgia instead of a passport?
No. Georgia is outside the EU and Schengen, so EU national ID cards are not accepted at Georgian borders. You need a Cypriot passport valid for the duration of your stay. There is no minimum validity requirement beyond your trip dates, but most travelers carry at least 6 months of validity for onward connections.
Is the policy PDF available in Greek?
No. The policy PDF is officially issued in English and Georgian only, which are the two languages Decree 602 accepts and that border officers read. The website and checkout are available in English; the certificate itself is bilingual English/Georgian. You can use any translation app for a Greek summary, but the document accepted at the border is the English/Georgian PDF.
What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Pre-existing conditions are excluded from Decree 602 policies. This is standard across all compulsory tourist insurance in Georgia, not specific to Cover. The policy covers sudden illness or accidents that occur during your trip in Georgia. If you have a known condition under ongoing treatment, arrange a separate international travel insurance policy with pre-existing-condition coverage before flying - this can co-exist with your Decree 602 Cover policy.
Cover or Unison - who handles claims?
Cover is the agent that sells the policy; Cover does not pay claims. All medical claims and reimbursements are handled by JSC Unison Insurance Company, a Georgian-licensed insurer. In an emergency, call Unison's 24/7 hotline (support in English, Russian, and Georgian); all paperwork and post-treatment reimbursement is processed directly with Unison.
What if I'm traveling with children or my whole family?
Every traveler needs an individual policy under Decree 602, including infants from day one. The buyer (18+ under Georgian law) controls the order and receives one confirmation email with a separate PDF for each traveler. Groups of 5 or more travelers receive an automatic group discount in the quote total - no coupon code needed. Children get the same 30,000 GEL coverage limit as adults at a slightly lower daily rate.