Expat Guide: Living in Georgia 2026

Georgia (the Caucasus country) has emerged as one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads, entrepreneurs and expats worldwide. The reasons: 365-day visa-free entry for 95+ nationalities, a flat 20% income tax (1% for small businesses), ultra-low cost of living, fast internet and a young, cosmopolitan capital in Tbilisi.

Last updated: March 2026 — الفريق التحريري, eVisa-Card.com

Georgia at a Glance

CapitalTbilisi
CurrencyGeorgian Lari (GEL)
LanguageGeorgian, Russian, English
Monthly cost~$700–1,500/month

🛂 Visa & Residency Options

Visa TypeDetails
Visa-Free Stay (365 days)Citizens of 95+ countries (including USA, EU, UK, Canada, Australia) can stay 365 consecutive days without a visa. No income or investment requirement. The simplest option for digital nomads.
Residency by InvestmentInvestment in Georgian real estate or business. Minimum $100,000 in real estate OR $300,000 in business. Temporary residency for 6 years, then permanent.
Employment ResidencyFor those employed by a Georgian company. Employer applies on your behalf. Temporary residency.
Permanent ResidencyAfter 6 years of continuous legal residence. Or by marriage to a Georgian citizen (3 years).
Citizenship by InvestmentExceptional status granted by Presidential decree. Requires significant economic contribution. Rare but possible.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Citizens of 95+ countries: simply enter Georgia with a valid passport — no pre-arrival visa needed
  2. Register your stay at the House of Justice (სამართლის სახლი) if staying 30+ days
  3. Obtain a Personal Identification Number (personal ID) at the Public Service Hall
  4. Open a Georgian bank account (requires passport + Georgian phone number)
  5. Register for tax purposes at the Revenue Service (rs.ge) if earning Georgian income
  6. For residency: apply at the Civil Registry Agency with investment proof
💡 Pro Tip: Georgia's 1% flat tax on annual revenue up to 500,000 GEL (~$180,000) for small status businesses makes it extraordinarily attractive for freelancers and entrepreneurs. Register as a 'Small Business' (მცირე ბიზნესი) or 'Virtual Zone Company' for IT businesses (0% corporate tax, 5% dividend tax).

🏥 Healthcare in Georgia

Public Healthcare

Georgia has a Universal Healthcare programme (UHC) that provides basic coverage to all Georgian citizens and legal residents. Foreigners without residency are not covered. Emergency treatment is available to all, but costs must be paid privately.

Private Healthcare

Private hospitals in Tbilisi are modern and affordable: Mediclub Georgia, Todua Medical Centre, Acad. O. Gudushauri Hospital, American Medical Center. Quality varies — major hospitals in Tbilisi are good; rural areas have limited facilities.

Typical Costs

ServiceCost
Private GP consultation30–80 GEL (~$11–29)
Specialist consultation50–150 GEL (~$18–55)
Emergency (private hospital)100–500 GEL (~$36–182)
Hospitalisation (private, per night)150–600 GEL (~$55–218)
Dental cleaning30–70 GEL (~$11–25)
Basic blood tests20–50 GEL (~$7–18)
ℹ️ Recommended: Healthcare is very cheap in Georgia. Even without insurance, paying out of pocket for routine care is affordable. International health insurance is recommended primarily for serious illness, surgery or medical evacuation.

🛡️ Health Insurance in Georgia

Health insurance is not required for visa-free stays in Georgia. However, it is strongly recommended given the limitations of the public health system and the need for medical evacuation coverage for serious conditions.

Top Providers for Expats

GPI Insurance (Georgia)
Georgia's largest local insurer. Affordable plans from ~80 GEL/month. Good network of local hospitals.
Aldagi (Vienna Insurance Group)
Strong local insurer. Comprehensive plans with dental. From ~100 GEL/month.
Imedi L (local)
Good value for routine care. Popular with local expat community. From ~70 GEL/month.
Cigna Global
International plan for worldwide coverage including medical evacuation. From ~$80/month.
SafetyWing
Nomad-focused insurance. Affordable, flexible. Good for short-to-medium stays. From ~$45/month.
💡 Pro Tip: SafetyWing is popular with the large digital nomad community in Tbilisi — very affordable and easy to sign up for. For longer-term residents, a local Georgian plan (GPI, Aldagi) provides better coverage at lower cost.

🏦 Opening a Bank Account in Georgia

Georgia has one of the most foreigner-friendly banking environments in the world. Bank accounts can be opened quickly, often same-day, with just a passport — no residency required.

Recommended Banks

TBC BankGeorgia's largest bank. Excellent English app. Fastest account opening (sometimes 15 minutes in-branch). Multi-currency accounts. Highly recommended.
Bank of GeorgiaSecond-largest bank. Good digital banking. English-speaking staff. Multi-currency (GEL, USD, EUR).
Credo BankGood for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Competitive FX rates.
Liberty BankWidespread branches. Good for everyday transactions.
Wise / RevolutNot Georgian banks but widely used for international transfers. Complement your local TBC or Bank of Georgia account.

Required Documents

  • Valid passport (that's it — no residency required for basic accounts)
  • Georgian phone number (for 2FA — buy a SIM at the airport for ~$5)
  • In some cases: proof of address (rental contract)

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Buy a Georgian SIM card (Magti or Geocell) at the airport
  2. Visit any TBC Bank or Bank of Georgia branch
  3. Present passport and phone number
  4. Account opened same day — typically within 30–60 minutes
  5. Receive debit card immediately or within 1–2 days
  6. Activate mobile banking via the app
💡 Pro Tip: TBC Bank is the clear expat favourite in Georgia — the app is in English, account opening takes 15–30 minutes with just your passport, and you get a multi-currency account (GEL + USD + EUR) from day one. No other country in the world makes banking this easy for foreigners.

🏠 Buying Property in Georgia

Georgia has no restrictions on foreign property ownership. Foreigners can buy any type of property — apartments, houses, commercial — with the same rights as Georgian citizens. The market is transparent, prices are low, and the process is quick. Investment ≥$100,000 qualifies for residency.

Options for Foreigners

Freehold Purchase
Full ownership. No restrictions. Registered at the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR). Most secure and straightforward.
Residency Qualification
Property investment ≥$100,000 qualifies for a 6-year temporary residency permit.
Off-Plan / New Development
Popular in Tbilisi, Batumi and Gudauri. Developers offer flexible payment plans. Batumi (Black Sea) is a popular short-term rental market.

Purchase Process

  1. No lawyer strictly required (system is very simple) but highly recommended for foreigners
  2. Agree price with seller — a real estate agent is optional
  3. Visit the House of Justice (სამართლის სახლი) together
  4. Present passports of buyer and seller
  5. Sign the purchase agreement and pay
  6. Registration completed on-the-spot or within 1–4 business days
  7. Receive new ownership certificate

Typical Costs

ItemCost
Property registration fee~50–200 GEL (~$18–73) — extremely low
Notarisation (if applicable)~100–300 GEL
Agent commission2–5% (if applicable)
Annual property tax0.05–1% depending on owner income and property value
No real estate transfer tax
💡 Pro Tip: Georgia has one of the world's simplest property purchase systems. Two people walk into a House of Justice, sign a document and walk out with a new ownership certificate — sometimes in under an hour. No lawyers, no notaries, no complex due diligence required (though still recommended). Batumi has a booming short-term rental market with yields of 8–12%.

About This Guide

This guide is researched and maintained by the editorial team at eVisa-Card.com. آخر تحديث: مارس 2026. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult a licensed professional before making major decisions.