Property in Georgia for foreigners
Apartments in Tbilisi and Batumi: we check the Public Registry record and the developer, handle the deal through to title registration, including by power of attorney, and structure the purchase for residence.
Georgia is one of the most open markets in the region for foreigners. You can buy freely and in your own name; the one major exception is agricultural land, which foreigners are barred from owning at the constitutional level. Title registration in the Public Registry is fast and inexpensive, and new-build prices are often quoted in US dollars. The main markets are Tbilisi, with steady rental demand, and Batumi, with a large volume of aparthotels and resort projects where quality varies greatly from project to project. A fact that matters to many buyers: owning property with a certified appraised value of 150,000 US dollars or more entitles you to apply for a temporary Georgian residence permit.
We help separate solid properties from marketing promises: we check the registry entry, encumbrances, land status, and the developer, and assess how realistic an aparthotel concept is along with the management company's terms. We manage the transaction from reservation to registration, advise on ownership structure, and if residency is part of the goal, we structure the purchase so the property meets the application requirements. We make no return projections: we show the facts and are honest about each project's risks.
Georgian residence through property: 2026 rules
| Investment | Status | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Residential or commercial property worth over $150,000, about GEL 391,000, by appraisal | residence for 1 year, renewed yearly while you own the property | a separate right to work is needed |
| Investment or property over $300,000, about GEL 782,000 | residence for 5 years, then permanent | no permit needed |
The threshold for short-term residence rose from $100,000 to $150,000, and it is measured not by the contract price but by appraisal. Article 15 of the law on foreigners requires the value to be confirmed by an appraiser from a body accredited by Georgia's national accreditation body. Buying a $130,000 flat hoping the appraisal will reach the threshold is risky: the appraiser decides, not the seller. Farmland does not qualify at all.
Property owner taxes in Georgia
- Renting a home for living - 5% of income if you do not claim expenses.
- Selling a flat - 0% after more than 2 years of ownership, otherwise 5% of the gain.
- Property tax is paid by residents whose annual family income exceeds GEL 40,000, about $16,000.
- Foreign income is not taxed in Georgia.
How the deal works
- A Public Registry extract: owner, encumbrances, land status.
- Checks on the developer and building permit for new builds; for apart-hotels, the management contract.
- Payment via a bank, not cash, to prove the investment for residence.
- Title registration at the Public Registry, usually in 1-4 working days.
- Appraisal by an accredited valuer and the residence application.
Can a Russian citizen buy property in Georgia
Yes, freely and in their own name: apartments, houses and commercial property. Georgia's Constitution bars foreigners only from owning agricultural land, which does not qualify for residence either. Russian citizens enter Georgia visa-free and can stay up to a year, so no separate visa is needed to view or buy.
It is better to pay through a bank rather than in cash: a bank trail is needed both to prove the investment when applying for residence and to sell the property smoothly later. Georgian banks open accounts for Russian citizens but ask about the source of funds, so income documents are gathered in advance.
Apartment prices in 2026
| City | Average per m² | 50 m² apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi, new build | ~$1,400 | ~$70,000 |
| Tbilisi, resale | ~$1,300 | ~$65,000 |
| Tbilisi, Vake and Mtatsminda | ~$2,500-2,900 | ~$125,000-145,000 |
| Batumi, new build | ~$1,200-1,250 | ~$63,000 |
| Batumi, seafront on Rustaveli Avenue and in the Old Town | ~$1,800-3,500 | ~$90,000-175,000 |
New builds are sold in three finishes: bare concrete, white frame with utilities, and fully renovated, and the difference between them is about a quarter of the price. For residence from $150,000, that buys a new apartment of about 110 m² in Tbilisi, and noticeably less on Batumi's seafront. More in our article on buying an apartment in Georgia.
We will calculate online the full purchase cost for your budget: taxes, fees and transaction costs.
Purchase costs
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tax on buying a home | none: Georgia has no transfer tax |
| Title registration at the Public Registry | a small fee depending on speed: 1 to 4 working days |
| Notary | not required: the contract can be registered directly at the registry |
| Appraisal by an accredited valuer | needed for residence |
| Agent | under the agency agreement, paid by the seller or buyer as agreed |
How to buy property in Georgia remotely
Deals in Georgia are registered by the Public Registry, and a representative with a power of attorney can file the documents. The power of attorney is made at a Georgian consular office or by a notary with an apostille and a notarised Georgian translation. The representative checks the registry extract, signs the contract, pays for registration and receives the extract showing title in your name.
Residence after the purchase requires a personal visit: the application is filed at the House of Justice, and the decision rests on the appraisal of the property, not the contract price. Conditions are on our page on Georgian residence, owner taxes on our page on taxes in Georgia, and to compare Georgia with other countries see our overview of where to buy property abroad.
Batumi apart-hotels: what to check
Batumi sells foreigners not so much apartments as promised returns: apart-hotels with a management company and a share of rental income. Project quality varies widely, and income depends on the management company, not the brochure.
- Developer. How many buildings it has completed and with what delays; construction in Batumi often drags on for years.
- Management agreement. Who receives the income, which costs are deducted, whether you can exit the agreement and live in the apartment yourself.
- Real occupancy. High season by the sea is short and occupancy drops in winter, so annual returns are calculated from past years' results, not promises.
- Appraisal for residence. The price of an apart-hotel unit with promised income does not always match an accredited valuer's appraisal.
Tbilisi or Batumi
Tbilisi is chosen for living and steady long-term rent: students, families and incoming professionals keep demand up all year. Batumi is a resort with a short high season, where short lets pay more but apart-hotel risks are higher too. Both cities work for residence from $150,000; the appraisal decides.
What we do
- Property shortlist for your investment goal
- Legal due diligence on the property
- End-to-end transaction support
- Ownership structuring (company, trust)
- Property management and letting
See also
Company formation · Business account · Personal account · All country programs
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy property in Georgia?
Does buying property grant residency in Georgia?
Where do I start?
How much property do you need for Georgian residence in 2026?
What tax applies to renting out a flat in Georgia?
Can you work in Georgia with residence through property?
Can a foreigner buy farmland in Georgia?
How long does title registration take in Georgia?
Can a Russian citizen buy an apartment in Georgia?
How much does an apartment in Tbilisi cost in 2026?
Can you buy an apartment in Georgia remotely?
Choosing property in Georgia?
We shortlist apartments in Tbilisi or Batumi for rental income, vet the developer and check the title in the public registry. Every country is in the searchable catalogue.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
Free consultation