Summary
- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Georgia because of the uncertain security situation.
- Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
- In 2010 and 2011, the US Government warned its citizens of the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe, including on public transport and tourist infrastructure. A number of terrorist attacks on passenger railway systems, aviation interests, including passenger terminals, and other places frequented by travellers have occurred in Europe. In recent years these types of attacks have occurred in Moscow, London, Madrid and Glasgow. In addition, a number of planned attacks have been disrupted by European security services recently, underscoring the continuing interest of terrorists in attacking such locations.
- Political demonstrations take place occasionally in Georgia, especially in Tbilisi. You should avoid all protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent.
- We strongly advise you not to travel to the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia nor to the Pankisi Gorge north of Akhmeta because of the threat of terrorist and criminal activity, and due to the danger of unexploded ordnance remaining from the conflict in 2008. While military operations in Georgia have ceased, tensions remain.
- Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Georgia. The Australian Embassy in Turkey provides consular assistance to Australians in Georgia.
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Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency.
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Entry and exit
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) are the prerogative of the Georgian Government. These conditions may change regularly. Visa information can be found on the website of the Georgian Foreign Ministry , and should be checked in advance of travel for the most up-to-date information.
Land and sea borders with Russia remain closed for tourists.
Travellers intending to stay in Tbilisi longer than three days must register with the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Failure to do so may result in fines or imprisonment.
For children (under 18 years of age) travelling alone or with one parent, local immigration authorities, in addition to the child's passport, may require a letter of consent from the non-travelling parent(s) and a copy of the child's birth certificate. You should check these requirements with an Embassy or Consulate of Georgia.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers .
In 2010 and 2011, the US Government warned its citizens of the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe, including on public transport and tourist infrastructure. A number of terrorist attacks on passenger railway systems, aviation interests, including passenger terminals, and other places frequented by travellers have occurred in Europe. In recent years these types of attacks have occurred in Moscow, London, Madrid and Glasgow. In addition, a number of planned attacks have been disrupted by European security services recently, underscoring the continuing interest of terrorists in attacking such locations.
Georgia was involved in a military conflict with the Russian Federation in 2008. Following the cessation of military hostilities in August of that year, car bombings have occurred in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
While attacks may target military/security facilities, it is possible that civilians may be affected.
Terrorists have in the past also targeted markets, public transport and commercial and public places where foreigners may be present.
Civil unrest/ Political tension
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Georgia because of the uncertain security situation. Political demonstrations occur occasionally in Georgia, especially in Tbilisi. You should avoid all protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
South Ossetia and Abkhazia (including adjacent areas) : We strongly advise you not to travel to the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia (and adjacent areas) because of unexploded ordnance in these areas. While military operations in Georgia have ceased, tensions remain and there continue to be reports of violence, including fatalities, in and around these regions. Some roads in the Abkhazia region may be mined. It is illegal to enter Georgia via Abkhazia or South Ossetia as there is no official border control.
Pankisi Gorge: We also strongly advise you not to travel to the area of the Pankisi Gorge to the north of Akhmeta. This region has, in recent years, been the scene of periodic fighting between Georgian forces and Chechen militia and criminal elements including suspected international terrorists.
Crime
The incidence of serious crime has decreased in Georgia, particularly in Tbilisi.
Instances of violent crime, including robberies, carjacking, sexual assault, home invasions and assaults have occurred in the past against foreigners throughout Georgia, including in Tbilisi. Travellers should be vigilant when walking after dark, including near hotels and in residential areas.
In case of an emergency, police can be contacted on 022 and ambulance services can be contacted on 033.
There is a threat of kidnapping throughout Georgia, particularly on the main road between the capital Tbilisi and western Georgia. Travel in groups and the use of local escorts may reduce the risk of kidnapping and hijacking. The Australian Government’s longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers paying ransoms increases the risk of further kidnappings. For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnapping Threat travel bulletin.
Money and valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money in Georgia, such as credit cards, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work in Georgia. Travellers' cheques are not commonly accepted.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority .
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Local travel
Land and sea borders with Russia remain closed for tourists. The border crossing between Russia and Georgia at Verkhny Lars (North Ossetia) has reopened to citizens of Georgia and the CIS, but traffic is strictly regulated and limited. Neither Georgian nor Russian visas are available at the checkpoint.
It is illegal to enter Georgia via Abkhazia or South Ossetia as there is no official border control.
Driving in Georgia may be hazardous as roads and vehicles are often poorly maintained. Roads often lack adequate lighting and signage. Drivers should maintain caution as the standard of driving is erratic with traffic signals and rules often completely ignored. Mountainous roads can be dangerous particularly in winter. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety .
Public transport on buses, trains and taxis can be unsafe due to the road conditions. There have also been reports of robberies and assaults on trains as well as in and around the main station in Tbilisi.
Direct flights between Georgia and Russia resumed in August 2010.
Airline safety
Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.
Laws
When you are in Georgia, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter .
Penalties for drug offences include heavy fines and long prison sentences.
There is a policy of zero tolerance for drink driving in Georgia (i.e. driving with a blood alcohol level greater than zero is an offence).
Photography near military installations and establishments of strategic importance, including airports is prohibited.
You must carry with you your passport, registered visa and/or migration card (or copies thereof).
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Information for dual nationals
The level of consular assistance the Australian Government can provide to Australian/Georgian dual nationals who are arrested or detained and have travelled on their Georgian passport may be very limited.
Australian/Georgian dual nationals may be required to perform military service in Georgia. Australian/Georgian dual nationals should seek advice from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Georgia well in advance of travel.
Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Health
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Medical care in Georgia, particularly outside Tbilisi, is limited. While medical supplies, both European and Russian, are available, the quality of medical services and facilities is poor. Medical evacuation, at considerable cost, may be necessary in the event of a serious illness or injury.
Malaria is a risk in the south-eastern part of the country. We recommend that you consider the need for prophylaxis against malaria, use insect repellent at all times, wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing and ensure your accommodation is mosquito proof.
Water-borne, food-borne, and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid, hepatitis, brucellosis and rabies) occur with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes, unpasteurised dairy products, and raw and undercooked food.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website . For more information see our travel bulletin on avian influenza .
Where to get help
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Georgia. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Turkey:
Australian Embassy
MNG Building, 7th floor
88 Uğur Mumcu Caddesi
Gaziosmanpaşa
Ankara TURKEY
Telephone:
(90 312) 459 9500
Facsimile:
(90 312) 446 4827
Website:
http://www.turkey.embassy.gov.au/
In an emergency, limited consular assistance, which does not include the issue of Australian passports, may be obtained from:
British Embassy
51 Krtsanisi Street
Tbilisi, 0114
Telephone: +995 32 274780
Facsimile: +995 32 274792
Website:
www.ukingeorgia.fco.gov.uk
In case of an emergency, police can be contacted on 022 and ambulance services can be contacted on 033.
If you are travelling to Georgia, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate . The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Additional information
Natural disasters, severe weather and climate
Georgia is located in an active seismic zone. Information on natural disasters, including earthquakes and volcanic activity, can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service .
If you are in an area affected by a natural disaster, you should monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.
Wildlife
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
For parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.
Children travelling alone or with one parent/guardian will require a letter of consent for travel signed by both parents.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page , Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council .
