Health Insurance in Georgia: A Guide for International Parents

Dear expat parents, moving to Georgia with children is quite an adventure, and it definitely means making sure your family has the right healthcare protection. Healthcare in Georgia is not free for non-citizens, even for children. Every GP visit, specialist consultation, or hospital stay comes with a bill.

The good news? Health insurance for children and adults is relatively affordable and can save you hundreds of lari each year. This guide explains how the system works, what it costs, and how to choose the best option for your family if you are considering staying long-term.

How Does Public Health Coverage Work?

Georgia has a Universal Healthcare Program for its citizens. It covers basic services and medicines, often at no cost or with a discount. For example, if my son (a Georgian citizen) gets unwell, we get an appointment with his GP at the clinic. After the examination, she can send him to a specialist or the lab, and we usually don’t pay for these visits. The vaccinations according to the national calendar are also free.

My husband and I have private insurance (I’ll list the main providers later) because at our age, the public insurance is peanuts.

The foreign nationals, even those with a residence permit, are not included in the public insurance system. The exceptions are low-income families, but such cases are rare. That means expat families need to arrange their own private health insurance.

Georgian vs International Health Insurance

There are two main options for expats in Georgia:

1. Local Private Insurance

- From approximately ₾40 per month (USD 13)

- Covers treatment in Georgia only

- Direct billing with partner clinics is common

- Affordable for families

2. International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI)

- From USD 1,000 per year

- Worldwide coverage, including Georgia

- Access to premium clinics globally

- More expensive but comprehensive

Local plans are best if you plan to get treatment in Georgia only. International plans are ideal if you travel often or want the option of receiving care abroad.

What’s Usually Covered?

A standard children’s or adult’s health policy usually includes:

- Outpatient care (GP visits, specialists)

- Hospital treatment (emergencies and planned care)

- Discount on prescribed medicines

- Dental services (often partial coverage)

- Eye care

Extra facts to know:

- Emergency ambulance (112) is free for everyone.

- Vaccinations are paid unless you’ve been in Georgia for 3+ months — then they’re free under the national schedule (doctor’s appointment still comes with a fee).

- Coverage is highest at partner clinics (80–100%), lower at affiliated providers (60–80%), and much lower (0–50%) at non-network clinics.

How Expats Apply for Health Insurance

- Online (via the insurer’s website)

- By phone (but the level of English proficiency is not guaranteed!)

- In person at an insurance office

Have your passport or ID ready (if you're applying for the child, have their documents as well as yours). The contracts are usually valid for 12 months. Many companies allow monthly payments, while some require the first and last month (or the full year) upfront. 

Top Health Insurance Providers in Georgia

I had experience with Ardi, and back then, it involved claiming the reimbursement in the office every time I had something done. As I know, now they are more digital, but I switched to GPI around 2018. Also not perfect, but at least you can claim the discounted service in advance via your GP, and they have an app where you can check things and book appointments in their main provider clinic, Curatio.

Let’s see who else is on the market.

1. GPI Holding (Vienna Insurance Group)

Wide clinic network, second opinion services, quick reimbursements.

From approximately ₾18 per month (USD 6) for an individual.

Has family packages.Has an app.

2. Unison

Broad coverage, 24/7 hotline.

From approximately ₾35 per month (USD 11).

Has an app.

3. Ardi

From approximately ₾49 per month (USD 18).

Has an app.

4. IRAO

From approximately ₾65 per month (USD 24).

Has an app.

5. Imedi L

From approximately ₾45 per month (USD 16).

Has an app.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Georgian Insurance

• Check the partner clinic list — you’ll save the most at these locations.

• Ask about waiting periods for outpatient care, planned surgeries or maternity care.

• Consider evacuation coverage if you live outside Tbilisi or travel often.

• Keep all receipts if you need to claim a reimbursement.

• Look for English support if you’re not confident in Georgian.

  
  

How to Visit a Clinic with Georgian Health Insurance

1. Choose a partner clinic

   
   

Check your insurance provider’s list of partner clinics (coverage is highest there — usually 80–100%).

You can still visit other clinics, but your reimbursement will be lower (or you’ll pay the full cost and get a partial refund later).

2. Book your appointment

Call the clinic directly or book online (if available).

Mention your insurer’s name when booking — some clinics request the policy number in advance.

3. Bring your documents

Passport or Georgian ID (if you have residency)

Insurance card or policy number (printed or digital)

4. See the doctor

For most outpatient visits, you’ll first meet your family doctor (GP). They can issue referrals to specialists or for tests.

In emergencies, you can go directly to urgent care or call 112 (free ambulance) or 16911 (paid pediatric ambulance).

5. Payment process

Partner clinic: The insurer is billed directly — you might only pay the uncovered percentage (if any) on the spot.

Non-partner clinic: You pay in full, get a receipt and a completed Form 100 (insurance claim form), and submit it to your insurer for reimbursement.

6. Keep your receipts

For any out-of-network claims, receipts and forms are essential. Without them, insurers won’t reimburse.

TL;DR

If you’re an expat parent in Georgia, private health insurance for you and your children is optional and can pay off in the long term. In 2023, I had to undergo quite a few tests and treatments, and the amount I saved was much higher than what I paid to the insurance. With plans starting at ₾35+ per month, you can protect yourself from unexpected medical bills and get access to private healthcare when you need it.

I wish you good luck with planning your move to Georgia, and hope that if you get insurance, you won’t need to use it too often. Please stay healthy!

In case you are interested, which clinics expats choose, and what my experience is, here is another blog article.