Before you move to Georgia

Visa-free stay

1 year (365 days)Citizens of about 95 countries, including all EU states, the US, the UK, Canada and Australia, can stay in Georgia without a visa for one full year.
Check your own country on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list (geoconsul.gov.ge) before you travel. We could not load the official list page directly.
The law allows one full year for countries listed in a Government ordinance (Ordinance No 255 of 5 June 2015, amended since). No application or fee is needed.
Sources: Legislative Herald of Georgia (consolidated 2026-06-25), Wikipedia, gov.uk.

30,000 GEL minimumSince 1 January 2026, foreign visitors must hold health and accident insurance with at least 30,000 GEL cover for the whole stay.
NEW in 2026. Foreigners who entered before 1 January 2026 did not need to buy it retroactively (Tbilisi Blog).
The rule comes from Government Decree No 602 of 26 December 2025 under the Law on Tourism. A Georgian or foreign insurer can issue the policy, on paper or electronic, in Georgian or English.
Sources: gov.uk, Tbilisi Blog (2025-12-30), Georgia Today (2025-12-16).

Sources disagree
Sources conflict on whether a remote worker in Georgia paid only by foreign employers or foreign clients needs a work permit.
Conflict: the law text (Article 1(4)) and law firms TK Counsel and ExpatDen say work only for non-residents about their activities abroad is exempt. The UK FCDO says people working in Georgia "including remotely" need a permit, and Fragomen (Nov 2025) said remote work treatment was unclear. ExpatDen adds that one Georgian client can bring all your work under the permit rule. Get advice for your case.
Sources: Legislative Herald of Georgia (consolidated 2026-06-25), TK Counsel (2026-04-16), ExpatDen (2026-09-07), gov.uk, Fragomen (2025-11-03).
200 GEL / 400 GELThe standard decision takes up to 30 calendar days and costs 200 GEL; the fast track takes 10 business days and costs 400 GEL.
The law caps the fee at 500 GEL. The employer pays for employees; self-employed people pay for themselves.
Sources: KPMG GMS Flash Alert 2026-117 (2026-04-29), Legislative Herald of Georgia (consolidated 2026-06-25).

1% up to 500,000 GELWith small business status, an IE pays 1 percent on turnover up to 500,000 GEL a year and 3 percent on turnover above that.
One consultancy (Gegidze) says going over 500,000 GEL moves you to 20 percent; PwC and Andersen say 3 percent on the excess. If you go over the limit in two years in a row, you lose the status from 1 January of the third year (Andersen).
Tax is on gross turnover with no expense deductions.
Sources: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (reviewed 2026-09-02), Andersen in Georgia (2026-09-22).
Small business status is not automatic: after IE registration you apply for it in your Revenue Service (rs.ge) account.
Source: Andersen in Georgia (2026-09-22).

Buy your SIM at an operator shop in the city, not at the airport.
Airport packages are poorer value than city shops. Bring your passport. A Cellfie package of 40 GB for 30 days costs 20 GEL, and Magti unlimited data for 30 days costs 35 GEL on promotion.
Sources: Wander-Lush, Cellfie, Magti.

Non-residents can open a bank account at TBC Bank with a passport, but must visit a branch.
We could not load the bank pages directly; this comes from TBC's expat page summary and guides.
Bank of Georgia also opens accounts for non-residents. Expect questions about your source of funds and why you need the account.
Sources: TBC Bank, Private Law wiki (updated 2026-10-20).

1-bedroom flat, city centre (Numbeo): 1295 to 2331, average 1754 GEL per month

Numbeo crowd data: 1,680 entries from 159 contributors in the past 12 months, last update 2026-10-20.

Source: Numbeo (2026-10-20).