Healthcare, pharmacies and insurance
How to call an ambulance, where to get lab tests and what they cost, whether tap water is safe, which medicines you can buy without a prescription and how insurance works.
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How do you call an ambulance, police or fire service in Georgia?
In Georgia you call an ambulance, police or fire service on the single number 112, free from any phone, even without a SIM card.
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Can you drink tap water in Georgia?
In Tbilisi and Batumi, tap water meets drinking standards, and many locals drink it unboiled.
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How can a foreigner get health insurance in Georgia, and how much does it cost?
A foreigner can buy health insurance from insurers and banks: visitor cover costs from 2 GEL a day and the annual Med+ plan (Credo Bank, Imedi L) 600 GEL.
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Which vaccinations do you need for a trip to Georgia?
No vaccination certificate is listed among the entry requirements for Georgia, while hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are recommended for most travellers.
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Can you bring your own medicines into Georgia?
You can bring up to 10 standard packs of ordinary medicines into Georgia without papers, while special-control drugs need a prescription and documents and a 31-day limit.
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Which medicines are sold only by prescription in Georgia, including antibiotics?
In Georgia a prescription is required for second-group medicines, which include antibiotics, and for special-control drugs, while only third-group products are sold freely.
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How much does giving birth in Georgia cost for foreigners?
Foreigners give birth in Georgia at private clinics and maternity wards on a paid basis, usually through packages covering the delivery, the hospital stay and newborn care.
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Where and how can you get glasses made in Tbilisi?
Glasses in Tbilisi are made at optical shops, many of which test your eyes on site; for complex cases, see an ophthalmologist at a clinic first.
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Where can you get medical tests in Tbilisi and Batumi?
In Tbilisi and Batumi, tests are done at private laboratories and multi-specialty clinics, and most don't require a doctor's referral.