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Can you enter Georgia after visiting Abkhazia?

What Georgia's law on occupied territories says and what is at stake if you entered from Russia.

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Short answer

Yes, if you entered Abkhazia from the Georgian side, through the Enguri crossing in Zugdidi Municipality. If you entered Abkhazia from Russia, via the Psou crossing, Georgian law treats this as a violation, and you may be fined and refused entry at the Georgian border.

What not to do in Georgia faq-cover-visa-and-border

Why

  1. Georgia's law on occupied territories allows entry to Abkhazia only from Zugdidi Municipality.
  2. Entering Abkhazia from Russia is treated as an illegal crossing of Georgia's border.
  3. The penalty is a fine, and repeat violations are a criminal offence; you may also be refused entry.

Details

The rule applies to all foreigners, including Russian citizens. If you have already visited Abkhazia via Psou, factor in the risk of being turned away at the Georgian border. Entry to South Ossetia from the Georgian side is currently closed, and Georgian law also treats entry there from Russia as a violation.

Common misconception

Nobody is let into Georgia after visiting Abkhazia.

What actually happens

Problems arise for those who entered Abkhazia from Russia. Entry from the Georgian side is allowed by law.

People also ask

  • Why can't you enter Georgia after visiting Abkhazia?
  • Is it legal to visit Abkhazia from Russia?

Sources

This answer describes Georgian law and makes no political assessment.

What not to do in Georgia

  • Who needs a visa for Georgia, and how do you get one?

    You need a visa for Georgia only if your country is not on the Georgian government's visa-free list, while citizens of the US, the UK, EU countries, Canada and about 90 other countries travel visa-free.

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  • How much cash can you bring into or take out of Georgia?

    There is no limit on how much cash you can bring in or take out, but if your cash, cheques and securities together exceed 30,000 GEL or the equivalent, you must declare them at customs.

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  • What can't you bring into Georgia?

    You cannot bring drugs, explosives, counterfeit money or counterfeit goods into Georgia, and weapons or ammunition only with a government permit.

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  • What documents do you need to travel to Georgia from Russia?

    Russian citizens travelling to Georgia need a valid international passport and health insurance for the whole trip with at least 30,000 GEL of cover.

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