Crossing the Armenia–Georgia border by car: the complete 2026 checklist

Every year tens of thousands of Armenian drivers cross into Georgia through the Bagratashen–Sadakhlo checkpoint — for holidays in Batumi, shopping in Tbilisi, or transit to Russia and Europe. The crossing itself is straightforward, but arriving unprepared can cost you hours in the queue or a refused entry.

Start with the documents. You need your passport (or Armenian ID card), the vehicle registration certificate, and a driving licence. If the car is not registered in your name, bring a notarised power of attorney — Georgian border officers do ask for it. Check that your passport is valid for the whole stay.

The single most common surprise at the border is insurance. Compulsory third-party liability insurance (APPA) is mandatory in Georgia for all foreign-plated vehicles. Since border kiosks often have long queues and card terminals that fail at the worst moment, the smart move is to buy your Georgian APPA online before the trip — the policy arrives by email in minutes and border officers accept the digital document.

From January 1, 2026 there is a second requirement: every foreign citizen entering Georgia must hold valid travel medical insurance for the whole stay, with at least $5,000 of outpatient emergency cover and $30,000 of hospital cover. Families are often turned back because the children were not insured — the rule applies to every passenger, not just the driver.

Timing matters too. The heaviest queues at Bagratashen–Sadakhlo are on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and public holidays in both countries. Crossing early on a weekday morning usually takes 20–40 minutes. Keep small cash in both drams and lari for road fees and fuel on either side.

With documents, car insurance and medical insurance sorted in advance, the border becomes a formality. Buy both policies online at georgianappa.com in about three minutes each — and drive to the border already covered.