The UK Foreign Office has issued an important update for British tourists travelling to Georgia with medication. The updated guidance covers both prescription and non-prescription medicines, warning that Georgia enforces a very strict anti-drugs policy.
Strict Anti-Drugs Policy in Georgia
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warns that substances commonly available in the UK, including some non-prescription medicines containing codeine, are illegal in Georgia. Travellers have been detained upon arrival for carrying medicines that would not normally cause problems in the UK. This can lead to serious legal consequences, including criminal prosecution.
Advice for Travellers with Prescription Medicines
If you need to travel with prescription medicine, you must carry a doctor's prescription and, ideally, the original packaging. The FCDO advises checking in advance whether your prescription is acceptable to Georgian authorities and whether the medicine requires a prescription locally. For specific enquiries, contact the State Regulation Agency for Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities via email at regagency@moh.gov.ge. Note that assessment of your enquiry may take approximately one month.
Rail Travel Updates
The FCDO also updated advice for holidaymakers using trains in Georgia. It recommends taking usual precautions with personal safety and belongings, noting that compartments on sleeper trains usually have locks. A daily train service operates between Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Popular Destinations in Georgia
Top destinations for UK tourists include Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. Lonely Planet describes Tbilisi as a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a dramatic valley setting, picturesque Old Town, eclectic architecture, and excellent dining and nightlife options, including a thriving techno scene.
