Expat Guide to Georgia

Everything you need to know about living and working in Georgia.

Georgia offers one of the world's most generous visa policies: citizens of 95+ countries can stay for up to 1 full year without any visa at all. No application, no fees, no minimum income requirement — just show your passport at the border. The 'Remotely from Georgia' program (launched 2020) is specifically designed for digital nomads: apply online, requires proof of $2,000/month income or $24,000 in savings, provides a special status with potential tax benefits. After 1 year, you can exit and re-enter for another year. Permanent residency is available after 6 years of legal residence.

Flat 20% personal income tax. CRITICAL BENEFIT: Foreign-source income is NOT taxed for individuals who are not Georgian tax residents (those spending less than 183 days). Even for tax residents, foreign-source income received from abroad may be exempt under certain conditions — this makes Georgia extremely attractive for remote workers and digital nomads. Small Business Status: 1% tax on revenue up to GEL 500,000/year (~$190,000). Virtual Zone for IT companies: 0% corporate tax on income from services exported outside Georgia. These tax advantages make Georgia one of the world's most tax-efficient jurisdictions for location-independent workers.

Georgia's public healthcare system is developing but still limited compared to European standards. Universal Healthcare Program (UHC) covers basic services for Georgian residents. For expats, private health insurance is strongly recommended — costs approximately $50-100/month from providers like GPI Holding, Ardi, or international insurers. Good private hospitals in Tbilisi include Evex Medical Corporation, MediClub Georgia, and Aversi Clinic. For serious medical issues, some expats travel to Turkey or Western Europe. Dental care is very affordable and generally good quality. Pharmacies (aptiaqi) are abundant and many medications are available without prescription.

Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank are the two major banks — both have excellent mobile banking apps (some of the best in Eastern Europe). Account opening is simple: passport and proof of address (even a hotel booking works initially). Accounts can be opened in GEL, USD, and EUR. Crypto-friendly — no restrictions on cryptocurrency accounts. Wise is widely used for incoming international transfers. Banking fees are low. ATMs are widespread in Tbilisi. Georgian banking technology is surprisingly advanced — mobile payments, instant transfers, and digital services are well-developed. Interest rates on GEL savings accounts can be attractive (8-10% on GEL deposits).

7.6

Tbilisi

💰 $900/mo🌡️ 13°C

Best-kept secret in the nomad world. Visa-free 1 year for most nationalities, incredibly cheap, amazing food and wine, foreign income not taxed, and a...