In Georgia, you can choose between a travel eSIM bought before you leave, a tourist SIM sold at the airport by Magti (Tbilisi and Kutaisi) or an eSIM from a Georgian carrier. The market has three mobile operators, Magticom, Silknet and Cellfie, according to the Georgian National Communications Commission. Georgia is a non-EU country, so check what your home carrier charges for roaming there before you travel.
This guide explains these options, with the official prices recorded on 24 October 2026. For the trip itself, see our Georgia guide, when to go to Georgia and our Tbilisi page.
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eSIM in Georgia: key points
- Three operators: Magticom (41% of subscribers in 2023), Silknet (34%) and Cellfie (24%), according to ComCom.
- Magti tourist SIM at Tbilisi and Kutaisi airports: 3,000 MB + 30 international minutes for 30 GEL, or 5,000 MB for 15 GEL, 15 days.
- Magti eSIM: can be activated via MyMagti or at a service center.
- Roaming: check your home carrier’s rate for Georgia.
- Abkhazia and South Ossetia: the UK FCDO advises against all travel to both regions.
How a travel eSIM works in Georgia
An eSIM is a SIM card built into the phone: you download a carrier profile by QR code or app. A travel eSIM is a prepaid data plan that uses the network of one of the Georgian operators; the provider’s listing says which. If you are heading into the Greater Caucasus (Svaneti, Kazbegi, Tusheti), look at the coverage of the advertised network: in the mountains it varies from one operator to another.
Is your phone compatible?
- eSIM: in your settings, look for « Add eSIM » or « Add cellular plan ». The code *#06# shows an EID number on compatible devices.
- Unlocking: a phone locked to your home carrier will refuse another provider’s profile. Ask for unlocking before you leave.
- Dual SIM: most recent phones keep your home line active for text messages while the eSIM provides data in Georgia.
Georgian operators
According to the Georgian National Communications Commission (ComCom), mobile subscribers were split in 2023 between Magticom (41%), Silknet (34%) and Cellfie Mobile (24%), unchanged from 2022. Cellfie won the 5G auction held by the Commission. These three networks are the ones used, depending on the case, by the travel eSIMs sold for Georgia.
Magti’s tourist offer at the airports
| Offer | Contents | Validity | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome pack (activation « 2230 ok ») | 3,000 MB, 30 international call minutes, free local calls and texts | 15 days | 30 GEL |
| Data pack (activation « 3315 ok ») | 5,000 MB, free local SMS/MMS | 15 days | 15 GEL |
Magti also offers eSIM for a new or existing number, through its app or its MyMagti portal, or at a service center; the page lists an activation cost of 10 (no currency stated) and the possibility of reactivating a purchased eSIM up to 5 times. It does not specify which ID is required of foreigners: bring your passport.
Our calculation: cost per GB
Magti’s data pack works out at 3 GEL per GB (15 ÷ 5) and the welcome pack at 10 GEL per GB (30 ÷ 3), the latter also including international minutes and local calls. Destination de Voyage calculation based on the prices listed by Magticom on 24 October 2026. Compare this cost with that of a travel eSIM of the same duration, allowing for the time spent at the airport buying the SIM.
What should you choose?
| Situation | Suitable option | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Arriving at night, needing a taxi or a map as soon as you land | Travel eSIM installed before you leave | Network used, when validity starts |
| Need a Georgian number and local calls | Magti welcome pack at the airport | Passport, unlocked phone |
| Heavy data use, tight budget | Magti data pack or local eSIM | Data allowance, 15-day validity |
| Mountain hiking | Line on the best-covered network along your route | Advertised coverage at altitude |
Installing your eSIM step by step
- At home, check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
- Buy the plan and note when validity starts: at installation or at the first connection on arrival.
- Install the profile on Wi-Fi (QR code or app) and label the line « Georgia ».
- On arrival, select this line for cellular data, turn on data roaming on that line alone if the provider asks you to, and turn off data on your home line.
- Leave your home line on for bank text messages, after checking that receiving them abroad is not charged.
Areas to avoid and safety
The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 15 September 2026, read 26 October 2026) advises against all travel to the Russian-occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and against all but essential travel to areas immediately next to their administrative boundary lines. The U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated September 17, 2026) notes that the boundary line of South Ossetia is not clearly marked in many places, and that hikers risk accidentally wandering into South Ossetia, which could result in detention by Russian security forces. An offline maps app helps you stay away from the demarcation lines. The emergency number in Georgia is 112 (UK FCDO).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Activating the Magti pack without noting the activation code given by the operator.
- Choosing an « unlimited » plan without reading any daily cap.
- Going into the mountains without offline maps.
- Installing the profile on arrival without Wi-Fi: do it before you leave.
- Forgetting to turn off data on your home line: it is the one that would bill roaming.
- Deleting the eSIM profile during your trip: many cannot be reinstalled.
Buying an eSIM for Georgia
To choose, compare the Georgian network used (Magti, Silknet or Cellfie), the data allowance, the validity period, when it starts, hotspot sharing, the option to top up and whether a local number is included. A « data only » eSIM is enough for most travelers: messaging apps replace calls. Offers and prices change often: check the provider’s listing on the day you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Does eSIM work in Georgia?
Yes: travel eSIMs use a Georgian operator’s network, and Magti also offers eSIM for its own lines.
Where can you buy a SIM card in Georgia?
Magti sells a tourist SIM at Tbilisi and Kutaisi airports: 30 GEL for 3,000 MB and 30 international minutes, or 15 GEL for 5,000 MB, valid for 15 days (prices recorded on 24 October 2026).
Which operators are there in Georgia?
Magticom, Silknet and Cellfie Mobile, according to the Georgian National Communications Commission.
Will my home plan work in Georgia?
Roaming may be available depending on your carrier, but rates vary: check your carrier’s rate for Georgia before you leave.
Do you keep your home number with an eSIM?
Yes, with a dual-SIM phone: your home line stays active for text messages.
Our sources
- Georgian National Communications Commission (ComCom), press releases on the mobile market (subscriber shares 2022-2023, 5G auction), consulted on 24 October 2026.
- Magticom, « SIM cards for tourists in Georgian airports » and « eSIM », consulted on 24 October 2026.
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Georgia (GOV.UK, updated 15 September 2026), read on 26 October 2026.
- U.S. Department of State, Georgia country information (travel.state.gov, last updated September 17, 2026), read on 26 October 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026. Operators’ offers, prices and terms may change: check their websites before you travel.
