Health Ministry denies false claim that long-term expatriates cannot access universal healthcare

“The information circulating in the media suggesting that citizens residing outside Georgia for more than six months will lose access to the services of the universal healthcare programme is untrue and represents a deliberate attempt to mislead the public,” stated the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Protection.

As the ministry clarifies, the recent change pertains solely to the funding of outpatient facilities.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to emphasise that all Georgian citizens who have utilised medical services under the universal healthcare programme will continue to do so without any alterations. Medical services are not restricted, even for citizens of Georgia abroad.

The modification relates exclusively to the funding mechanism for outpatient facilities. Previously, the state paid a fixed fee to clinics even when the citizen was not in the country and did not receive medical services. We emphasise that, by order of the Minister of Health dated December 31, 2025, this change affects only the capitation mechanism used to finance outpatient medical facilities. It does not impact any other components of the universal healthcare system, including outpatient or inpatient emergency services.

Importantly, upon returning to Georgia, citizens can register with an outpatient facility and access the full range of services provided by the programme without restriction.

This decision aims to strengthen the universal healthcare system, prevent unnecessary expenditure, and safeguard the interests of beneficiaries,” the ministry concluded in its statement.