News

The EUAA has published four new Medical Country of Origin Information (MedCOI) topical reports focusing on the provision of nephrology, neurology, haematology, and cardiology services in Georgia. These reports complement previously published MedCOI products on healthcare provision and selected medical specialties, further expanding the knowledge base on access to specialised medical treatment in the country.

The reports cover access to haematology, cardiology, neurology, and nephrology services to provide a comparative overview of access to specialised medical care in Georgia, highlighting both common structural features and sector-specific differences. Drafted in cooperation with International SOS and local medical experts, the reports indicate that, despite the expansion of public health coverage in recent years, effective access to specialised care in Georgia remains uneven.

Across all four areas, specialised services are predominantly delivered in referral hospitals concentrated in major urban areas and are largely provided by private healthcare institutions. While cardiological and nephrological services benefit from national programmes—particularly for acute cardiovascular diseases and kidney replacement therapy—access to haematological and neurological care is more dependent on the availability of highly specialised professionals and advanced diagnostics, which remain geographically unevenly distributed.

Public insurance schemes cover a defined package of diagnostic and treatment services, but significant out-of-pocket expenditures may affect patients requiring long-term, high-cost, or advanced interventions. The reports indicate variations in levels of access, with comparatively broader coverage available for acute care services, whereas limited coverage and restricted access are observed in the management of chronic or complex conditions and/or high-cost interventions.

Overall, the reports underline that insurance coverage is central to real access to care, yet financial protection remains insufficient for patients with complex or long-term needs. Even with expanded coverage for diagnostics, hospitalisation, and treatment, patients frequently face additional costs for long-term management, advanced therapies, or services exceeding coverage limits.

Asylum situation for Georgian nationals

In 2025, Georgian nationals lodged 15 000 asylum applications in the EU+, a number similar to 2024 but lower than in previous years. Applications were spread across the EU+ but the main receiving countries were still France, Italy and Germany. The recognition rate remained very low at 5 %. At the end of 2025, nearly 12 000 Georgian applications pending a first instance decision.