By Peter Sodermans, Honorary Consul of Georgia in Luxembourg

As the global landscape feels increasingly volatile, I am frequently approached by concerned parents and travelers in Luxembourg asking a fundamental question: “Is it safe to go to Georgia right now?”

The concern is understandable. When headlines highlight conflict in the Middle East, there is a natural tendency to look at a map, see a shared neighborhood, and assume the risks are the same.

However, as someone who lives between these two worlds and travels to Tbilisi regularly, I believe it is vital to distinguish between regional perception and local reality.

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1. Geography is Not Destiny

The first and most important fact is often the most overlooked: Georgia is not in the Middle East. Located in the South Caucasus, Georgia is not a party to the current conflicts affecting Iran, Israel, the Gulf States or Lebanon. It remains a stable sovereign nation with a clear European trajectory.

• The Reality: Tourism, commerce, and daily life in Georgia continue without any disruption.
• The Comparison: Grouping Georgia with Middle Eastern conflict zones is as inaccurate as grouping Luxembourg with conflicts in Eastern Europe simply because they share a continent.

2. The “Aviation Litmus Test”

If you want to know where the world’s most risk-averse industries stand, look at the sky.

While large swaths of regional airspace are being avoided, the Middle Corridor (Turkey → Georgia → Azerbaijan) has become a vital global artery. Airlines are currently routing thousands of passengers per hour through Georgian airspace.

The logic is simple: If Georgia were unsafe, the world’s major carriers would not be flying to it and over it. Aviation safety assessments are conducted in real-time; Georgia is not being bypassed—it is being relied upon.

3. Official Travel Advisories (late March 2026)

The official stance of Western governments remains clear and consistent. Advisories from Luxembourg, Belgium, the UK, and Canada all categorize Georgia under “Normal Precautions.”

• Status: No travel bans or “essential travel only” warnings are in place for the territory controlled by the Georgian government.
• Standard Advice: As has been the case for years, caution is advised only for the occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. For the rest of the country—including Tbilisi, Batumi, and the mountains—it is “business as usual.”

4. New for 2026: Mandatory Travel Insurance

To ensure visitor safety and streamline medical care, Georgia implemented a new requirement on January 1, 2026. All foreign tourists must now hold valid health and accident insurance for the duration of their stay.

• Minimum Coverage: 30,000 GEL (approx. €10,000).
• Proof: You must be able to present your policy (digitally or on paper) in English or Georgian at the border. If you have DKV or something similar in Luxembourg, they can easily provide you a certificate. That’s how I do it.

This is an administrative measure designed to protect you, not a response to a safety threat.

5. A Personal Perspective on Public Safety

I will be in Georgia again next week. I often share a “provocative” but honest observation with my friends in the Grand Duchy:

I often feel more at ease walking through Vake Park in Tbilisi at 11:00 PM than I do in certain city centers in Western Europe.

Georgia consistently ranks among the safest countries globally for low crime rates. The culture of hospitality—where a guest is considered a “gift from God”—is not just a slogan; it is a lived reality that makes the country remarkably welcoming for solo travelers and students alike.

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A Final Word to Parents

To the parents in Luxembourg whose children are planning school trips or solo adventures: Your concern is a sign of care, but it should be informed by facts. Georgia is a lively, safe, and culturally rich destination that offers an exceptional learning experience.

We do not ignore risks; we understand them correctly. And the reality is that Georgia remains a peaceful haven in a complex world.

Safe travels. Gaumarjos!