Moving to Georgia in 2026

Moving to Georgia: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Citizens of Russia and more than 95 other countries enter Georgia visa-free and can stay up to 365 days. Since 1 January 2026 health insurance against illness and accidents is required on entry, and since 1 March 2026 foreigners without permanent residence need a work permit if they work for a Georgian employer or are self-employed in Georgia, including sole proprietors.

1. First week. Rent a flat, get a Georgian SIM card and insurance if you entered without it for a long stay.
2. Weeks 1-2. Register as a sole proprietor at the Public Service Hall in a day and get small business status with 1% tax on turnover if you work for yourself.
3. Weeks 2-4. A Georgian bank account, the work permit and, if needed, residence documents.

Rent in Tbilisi is usually quoted in dollars. A family budget is worked out in the chat.

Georgia in brief

Georgia is a South Caucasus country on the Black Sea with about 3.7 million people, and Tbilisi is its capital. The state language is Georgian; many people in Tbilisi understand Russian, and young people speak English. The currency is the lari. The country is not in the European Union, and the government suspended accession talks at the end of 2024.

Since 2022 Georgia has been one of the main destinations for people leaving Russia thanks to a year without a visa, 1% tax for small businesses, low living costs and a large newcomer community.

How to arrange residence in 2026

• Without a residence permit - up to 365 days visa-free; there is no separate digital nomad visa, and none is needed. Details are on the page remote work in Georgia.
• Employment - residence under a contract with a Georgian employer.
• Own business - residence through a company with real turnover.
• Property - temporary residence for owners of property worth from $150,000 at market valuation, and a 5-year investment permit for investments from $300,000. Details are on the page Georgian residence permit.
• Study and family - separate grounds.

We handle sole proprietor registration, the work permit and residence end to end.

Permanent residence and citizenship

As a rule permanent residence is granted after 10 years on temporary residence, after 5 years if married to a citizen, and after 5 years on an investment permit from $300,000. Naturalisation comes after 10 years in the country, with exams in Georgian language, history and law. As a rule Georgia does not recognise dual citizenship, with exceptions made by the president, so people rarely move here for the passport.

Taxes

Georgia taxes individuals on a territorial basis: 20% income tax applies only to Georgian income, and a tax resident's foreign income is not taxed. A sole proprietor with small business status pays 1% of turnover within the set limit. Companies pay 15% on profit only when it is distributed, and VAT is 18%. You become resident after 183 days in any 12 months, and wealthy individuals can obtain residence without counting days. Details are on the page taxes in Georgia.

Housing and property

A one-bedroom flat in upscale Vake costs $600-1,000 a month in 2026, and in Saburtalo $450-750; heating bills rise noticeably in winter. Foreigners freely buy flats and houses, but not agricultural land. We source and check properties on the page property in Georgia.

Business and accounts

A sole proprietor or company is registered at the Public Service Hall in a day. Georgian banks open accounts for Russian citizens but check the source of funds and may refuse without explanation. We help with company registration, a business account and a personal account.

Where to live

• Tbilisi - the capital, jobs and community; newcomers choose Vake, Saburtalo, Vera and Sololaki. More in the Tbilisi guide.
• Batumi - the sea, new buildings and resort life, crowded in summer.
• Kutaisi - the second city, with a low-cost airline airport and low prices.
• Mountains and Kakheti - Bakuriani, Gudauri and wine villages for those seeking quiet.

Cost of living

Georgia is inexpensive by European standards: market food, wine, cafés and taxis cost little. Since 2022 rents in Tbilisi and Batumi have risen noticeably because of newcomers. Public healthcare is mainly for citizens, and foreigners use private clinics and insurance. Tbilisi has international and Russian-language private schools.

Practicalities

• Entry. Russian citizens enter visa-free and can stay up to 365 days; since 2026 health insurance is required on entry.
• Banks. A Georgian bank account is opened with a passport, but for citizens of some countries banks run enhanced checks.
• Language. Georgian; in Tbilisi and Batumi many people speak Russian and English.
• Climate. Tbilisi has hot summers and mild winters, and the coast a humid subtropical climate.
• Getting there. Airports in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi have flights to Europe, Turkey, the Gulf and Russia.

Pros and cons of moving

Pros: a year without a visa, 1% tax for small businesses, territorial taxation, low living costs, great food, mountains and sea nearby, and a large newcomer community. Cons: political tension, suspended European Union talks, new insurance and work permit requirements, bank checks, noise and smog in central Tbilisi, and no dual citizenship.

Moving with children

Tbilisi has Russian-language, international and private schools, as well as private kindergartens; state schools teach in Georgian. Paediatric care in private clinics is available and inexpensive. Children are included in their parents' residence or can stay visa-free for up to 365 days.

Who Georgia suits

Georgia suits remote workers and entrepreneurs who want an affordable base with a year without a visa and 1% tax for small businesses. It suits those who need a second passport, the European Union or full predictability less well. Write in the chat and we will register you as a sole proprietor, arrange the work permit and choose a residence ground.