Free guides for patients and their families
Here you will find 82 practical guides: where to apply for funding for treatment and in what order, how to prepare for treatment in a particular country, and how to obtain, translate and certify medical documents. Every article is free, requires no registration and is based on official sources. The legal content is reviewed by our partner lawyers.
Free tools
- Translation price calculator An indicative price and turnaround time by document, language and number of pages.
- Apostille or legalisation? What each country requires and in what order, by type of document.
- Which programme should I apply to? Answer a few questions to find out which state, municipal or insurance route fits your case.
- Deadline calculator The last date for an appeal, for accepting an inheritance and for a certificate's validity, counted from the date of the event.
- Document list A personal checklist for your purpose that you can print or save as a PDF.
- Form 100 check Check that the certificate has every field whose absence most often gets it sent back.
- Medical glossary 300 medical, legal and funding terms in Georgian, English, Russian and German.
Funding for treatment
- Funding for a child's treatment State programmes for children's treatment: oncology, rare diseases, diabetes, heart defects, treatment abroad, documents and parental consent.
- Funding for medicines State medicine programmes: chronic diseases, oncology, rare diseases, diabetes. What options remain if a medicine is on no list or is not available in Georgia.
- Municipal assistance How City Hall healthcare programmes work: the registration requirement, documents, limits and the guarantee letter. Examples from the rules in Tbilisi and Zugdidi.
- Funding for cancer treatment What universal healthcare covers in oncology: chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy, surgery, medicines. Where to look for the rest: the commission, City Hall, abroad.
- Funding for surgery: where and how to apply Universal healthcare, City Hall, the ministry and foundations: in what order to apply and which mistakes hold up an application.
- Referral Services Programme The referral commission in 2026: whom it funds, how it sets its share, which documents it needs, the deadlines and why it refuses. A practical guide.
- Funding for treatment abroad When the state funds treatment abroad: the referral commission, a specialist expert's opinion, a translated invoice, deadlines and typical decisions.
- Universal Healthcare Programme Universal healthcare in 2026: categories, limits, co-payment, planned and emergency treatment, the approval letter from the clinic and how it relates to private insurance.
- Solidarity Fund of Georgia The Solidarity Fund of Georgia still operates and serves the referral commission. Solidaroba.ge is not the fund: where to turn for help and how to avoid fraud.
- Social and disability status The rating score and disability status: how they change the universal healthcare package and co-payment, how to apply to the agency and when they are reviewed.
- Appealing a refusal Refusal of funding for treatment: the one-month deadline for an administrative complaint, the structure of the complaint, what to do if the authority does not respond and when to go to court.
Treatment abroad
- Treatment in Austria Treatment in Austria for Georgian citizens: 90 days visa-free and the D visa, checking a hospital on the official portal, German translation and the advance payment rules.
- Treatment in Germany Treatment in Germany for Georgian citizens: when a visa is needed, how to check a clinic, what translation is required and how the advance is paid before arrival.
- Treatment in Spain Treatment in Spain for Georgian citizens: 90 days visa-free, the clinic's regional licence, CSUR, translation by a traductor jurado, the presupuesto and how to pay it.
- Treatment in Turkey: from choosing a clinic to the documents Checking the clinic, the document package, reading the cost estimate, payment and travel.
- Treatment in India Treatment in India for Georgian citizens: the electronic medical visa for the patient and companion, NABH accreditation, English translation and costs.
- Treatment in Israel Treatment in Israel for Georgian citizens: visa-free entry and the ETA-IL authorisation, checking the hospital and any intermediary, English translation and how payment works.
- Treatment in Italy Treatment in Italy: 90 days visa-free and the declaration of presence, a medical visa under Article 36, IRCCS and private clinics, sworn translation (asseverazione) and understanding the preventivo.
- Treatment in South Korea Treatment in South Korea: why K-ETA does not apply to Georgians, the C-3-3 and G-1-10 medical visas, registered clinics, intermediaries and the documents you need.
- Treatment in France Treatment in France: visa-free entry conditions, HAS certification and QualiScope, the devis and advance payment, the traducteur agréé and the document package.
Documents and practice
- Documents for treatment abroad A free checklist of documents for treatment abroad, stage by stage: who issues each one and whether it needs translation, notarisation or an apostille.
- Turkey or Germany Turkey or Germany for treatment: entry rules, checking the clinic, how the price is built, translation, timelines and follow-up after return in one comparison.
- Travelling with medicines How to take prescription medicines abroad: a translated prescription, a doctor's letter, controlled substances, insulin and Georgia's own requirements.
- A second opinion from a doctor abroad How to get a second opinion from a doctor abroad: the documents, DICOM images and histology material needed, remote consultations and reading the reply.
- Notary, apostille or legalisation Notarisation, apostille and consular legalisation: what each one confirms, when you need which, and in what order a document passes through every stage.
- Obtaining your medical records How to request a copy of your medical records from a clinic: the request letter, a deceased relative's records, a closed clinic's archive, electronic records.
- State programme or insurance State healthcare programmes and private medical insurance: who pays for what, how the two combine, how a refusal is challenged and which to approach first.
- Form 100: what it is, who issues it and how to get it The medical certificate of health status: contents, validity and when it needs translation.
- Changes in 2026 What changed in 2026: Resolution No. 655, changes to Universal Healthcare, the referral commission rules, rare disease medicines and paediatric heart surgery.
Treatment by diagnosis
- Eye surgery Cataract, retina, glaucoma and children's eye surgery in 2026: what the state covers, what is not funded, when families go abroad and which documents are needed.
- Cardiac surgery Heart surgery, stents, bypass and valves: what Universal Healthcare covers, how congenital heart defects are funded and paediatric cardiac surgery abroad.
- Cochlear implant Cochlear implants for children and adults in 2026: who gets a state implant, bilateral implants before age 4, 18 months of rehabilitation and the processor.
- Neurosurgery Brain and spine surgery in 2026: what Universal Healthcare covers in emergency and planned cases, where to find the rest and what documents clinics abroad need.
- Organ transplantation Kidney and liver transplants: what the state funds in 2026, who can be a living donor, which consents are required and what changes if the operation is abroad.
- Rehabilitation Rehabilitation after stroke, spinal cord injury and surgery, cerebral palsy in children and early child development: who funds it and where to apply.
- Joint replacement Hip and knee replacement in 2026: what Universal Healthcare, City Hall and the referral commission cover, what the cost is made of and what a clinic abroad needs.
- Bone marrow transplantation Bone marrow (stem cell) transplantation in 2026: state and Tbilisi programme tariffs, eligible diagnoses, the medical board, the voucher and treatment abroad.
- In vitro fertilisation (IVF) IVF in 2026: what the state funds, what the law says on donation and embryo freezing, which documents you need and what to know before treatment abroad.
- Haemodialysis State dialysis programme 2026: who qualifies, cover for haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, kidney transplants, immunosuppressants and dialysis when travelling.
Templates and samples
- Application to the referral commission A template application to the referral services commission: who it goes to, what to attach, how to word the request and which mistakes delay its review.
- Sample power of attorney A working sample power of attorney for a clinic, medical records and a bank: what the notary needs, which powers to include and what should not be in it.
- Insurance complaint A written complaint to an insurer that refused to reimburse treatment: the 30-day response deadline, attachments, legal arguments and a template to fill in.
- Requesting medical records Sample letter asking a clinic for copies of your medical records: legal basis, 10-working-day deadline, consent wording and what to do if the clinic stays silent.
- Complaint against a refusal of funding An administrative complaint template to appeal a refusal to fund treatment, a partial grant or an agency's silence: how to fill it in and common mistakes.
Treatment in Georgia for international patients
- From Azerbaijan Citizens of Azerbaijan enter Georgia visa-free for up to a year. The insurance you need, how to travel, language at the clinic and getting your documents.
- Spa resorts Tskaltubo, Borjomi, Sairme, Nunisi, Abastumani and Menji as official sources describe them: who decides if a resort suits you and how to combine it with treatment.
- Bariatric surgery Bariatric surgery in Georgia for foreigners: who decides on candidacy, which records to send, what the price covers and how your diet continues at home.
- Insurance Mandatory visitor insurance since 2026: GEL 30,000, the whole stay, a policy in Georgian or English. Why it does not cover planned treatment and what to ask.
- Addiction treatment Treatment for alcohol, drug or gambling addiction in Georgia for foreigners: confidentiality, consent, checking the centre and continuing care at home.
- Dialysis for travellers Haemodialysis while travelling in Georgia: when to book your sessions, which tests and documents the unit asks for, who pays and which part we handle for you.
- From Europe Coming for treatment from the EU or Schengen area: entry with an ID card, the EHIC and a local policy, reimbursement at home, translation and the apostille.
- From Iraq Coming to Georgia for treatment from Iraq: a visa through the embassy (no e-visa is issued), mandatory insurance, an Arabic interpreter and document legalisation.
- Cosmetic surgery Plastic surgery in Georgia as a foreigner: who decides, how to plan recovery, when you can fly and what to ask the clinic about complications and insurance.
- Eye surgery in Georgia Cataract, laser vision correction, retina and glaucoma surgery in Georgia: what to send a Georgian clinic, what the price covers and when you can fly home.
- From Iran From Iran to Georgia for treatment: visa-free entry and checking your permitted stay, mandatory insurance, a Persian interpreter, payment agreed in advance.
- From Israel Israeli citizens enter Georgia visa-free for up to a year, Israeli residents for 90 days. The policy you need, a Hebrew interpreter and documents for Israel.
- Cardiology Heart tests, a stent or open-heart surgery in Georgia: which records to send, what a clinic quote includes, how to check its permit and when to fly home.
- How to choose a clinic How to choose a clinic in Georgia: who issues the permit, how to verify it, what accreditation means, what to ask the clinic and which warning signs to avoid.
- Neurosurgery in Georgia Brain or spine surgery in Georgia: which MRI files to send, why a second opinion is worth it, who receives information for you and how to plan your return.
- Cancer treatment in Georgia Cancer treatment in Georgia for international patients: confirming the diagnosis, the tumour board, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, costs and the visa.
- Orthopaedics Joint replacement, spinal surgery or a sports injury in Georgia: imaging, the implant in the quote, a rehabilitation plan and medicines at the border.
- What to bring What to bring for treatment in Georgia: records and DICOM images, translations, medicines (10 packs, 31 days), insurance, passport, companion documents.
- From Russia Coming to Georgia for treatment from Russia: visa-free stay of up to a year, mandatory insurance, payment limits on Mir and Visa cards, documents and consular help.
- Medical check-up A check-up during your visit to Georgia: imaging, laboratory panels and consultations, how the days are planned and how to take every result home to your doctor.
- From Armenia Armenian citizens enter Georgia visa-free for up to a year. Road travel, the mandatory policy, an Armenian interpreter and Georgian records recognised in Armenia.
- Dentistry Dental implants and prosthetics in Georgia for foreign patients: how many trips the plan needs, what the quote covers, guarantee questions and aftercare at home.
- From Ukraine Coming to Georgia for treatment from Ukraine: a visa-free stay of up to a year, mandatory insurance, translation of Ukrainian records, medicines and apostille.
- Urology in Georgia Kidney stones, prostate and other urological surgery in Georgia for foreign patients: records, stents and catheters, what the price covers and returning home.
- International patient rights Your rights as an international patient in Georgia: information, consent, confidentiality, second opinion, record copies, interpreters and where to complain.
- From Kazakhstan From Kazakhstan to Georgia for treatment: the one-year visa-free regime, a mandatory policy in English, Russian and Kazakh records, payment and an apostille.
- From the Gulf states Coming to Georgia for treatment from the Gulf: one year visa-free, travelling with your family, an Arabic interpreter, halal food, and apostille or legalisation.
- Costs and payment What a Georgian clinic's quote includes and what it leaves out, how you pay the advance and the invoice, which cards do not work and which receipts to keep.
- IVF for international couples IVF in Georgia for international couples: the law, the documents clinics ask for, how the stages run, what a quote covers and where embryos are stored.
Foreigners in Georgia: healthcare and documents
- Having a baby in Georgia A baby born in Georgia to foreign parents: birth registration within one month, a free certificate, apostille, citizenship and registration at your embassy.
- Immigration medical examination Immigration medicals for the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and the UK TB test in Tbilisi: where to go, what to bring and what needs translating.
- Repatriation of remains When a foreigner dies in Georgia or a Georgian citizen dies abroad: registration, the free certificate, apostille, the embassy and repatriation cost refunds.
- Healthcare for foreigners Who Universal Healthcare covers and who it does not, private insurance for foreign residents, family doctors, prescriptions and pharmacies, 112, translations.
Medical education and diploma recognition
- Diploma recognition in Germany Recognition of Georgian doctors' and nurses' diplomas in Germany: Approbation, Kenntnisprüfung, Fachsprachprüfung, sworn translation, apostille, 2026 changes.
- Diploma recognition abroad A Georgian medical diploma in the US, Israel and Nigeria: USMLE and ECFMG, the Yatziv reform, the MDCN exam, authenticity confirmation, apostille, translation.
- Indian students Indian students in Georgia: NMC FMGL 2021 rules, 54 months and internship, licence, FMGE, the diploma apostille and the mistakes that block eligibility.
- International students Documents for international students in Georgia: NCEQE admission, notarised translation, study residence permit, 2026 changes and diploma apostille.
- Foreign diploma recognition A foreign medical diploma in Georgia: NCEQE recognition, a state certificate without an exam, residency recognition, temporary practice and documents.
How we write these guides
Every article is based on an official source: a law, a ministry or agency page, an embassy's requirements. The sources are listed at the end of each article, with the date they were accessed. The legal content is reviewed by Advocat.Ge lawyers, and since programme conditions change every year, we update the articles and show the date of the update below the title. Our editorial policy explains this in detail.
A guide gives you general information and cannot replace individual advice from a doctor or a lawyer. If your case is complex, write to us: we will tell you which steps you can take yourself and where you need a specialist.