Complete Expat Guide Georgia 2026 : Live & Work in Georgia (Caucasus)

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.

Updated: 20 May 2026 : Editorial Team, eVisa-Card.com

⚠️ Important 2026 update : Georgia: mandatory travel medical insurance from 1 January 2026

Since 1 January 2026, all foreign visitors must hold a travel medical insurance policy with minimum coverage of 30,000 GEL (~USD 11,000), valid for the full duration of the stay, issued in English or Georgian. Border officers may request proof on entry. Visa-free stay of 365 consecutive days remains unchanged for the 90+ eligible nationalities.

Effective: 1 January 2026

Source: MFA Georgia

Georgia at a Glance

Capital	Tbilisi
Currency	Georgian Lari (GEL)
Language	Georgian, Russian, English
Monthly cost	~$700-1,500/month

🛂 Visa & Residency Options

Visa Type	Details
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 Investment	Investment 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 Residency	For those employed by a Georgian company. Employer applies on your behalf. Temporary residency.
Permanent Residency	After 6 years of continuous legal residence. Or by marriage to a Georgian citizen (3 years).
Citizenship by Investment	Exceptional status granted by Presidential decree. Requires significant economic contribution. Rare but possible.

Step-by-Step Process

Citizens of 95+ countries: simply enter Georgia with a valid passport : no pre-arrival visa needed
Register your stay at the House of Justice (სამართლის სახლი) if staying 30+ days
Obtain a Personal Identification Number (personal ID) at the Public Service Hall
Open a Georgian bank account (requires passport + Georgian phone number)
Register for tax purposes at the Revenue Service (rs.ge) if earning Georgian income
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

Service	Cost
Private GP consultation	30-80 GEL (~$11-29)
Specialist consultation	50-150 GEL (~$18-55)
Emergency (private hospital)	100-500 GEL (~$36-182)
Hospitalisation (private, per night)	150-600 GEL (~$55-218)
Dental cleaning	30-70 GEL (~$11-25)
Basic blood tests	20-50 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 Bank : Georgia's largest bank. Excellent English app. Fastest account opening (sometimes 15 minutes in-branch). Multi-currency accounts. Highly recommended.

Bank of Georgia : Second-largest bank. Good digital banking. English-speaking staff. Multi-currency (GEL, USD, EUR).

Credo Bank : Good for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Competitive FX rates.

Liberty Bank : Widespread branches. Good for everyday transactions.

Wise / Revolut : Not 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

Buy a Georgian SIM card (Magti or Geocell) at the airport
Visit any TBC Bank or Bank of Georgia branch
Present passport and phone number
Account opened same day : typically within 30-60 minutes
Receive debit card immediately or within 1-2 days
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

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

Typical Costs

Item	Cost
Property registration fee	~50-200 GEL (~$18-73) : extremely low
Notarisation (if applicable)	~100-300 GEL
Agent commission	2-5% (if applicable)
Annual property tax	0.05-1% 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. Last updated: 20 May 2026. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult a licensed professional before making major decisions.