Living in Georgia: the short version
Georgia lets citizens of around 95 countries, including the EU, UK and US, stay visa-free for up to a year, which has made Tbilisi a magnet for remote workers. Living costs are low and individual entrepreneurs can apply for a 1% turnover tax, but local salaries are low and the political situation has been tense.
Best for: Remote workers, freelancers and entrepreneurs who want low costs and easy entry.
Why people move here
- 365-day visa-free stay for many nationalities
- 1% turnover tax for qualifying small businesses
- Low cost of living and outstanding food and wine
What to watch out for
- Low local salaries and limited public services
- Political tensions and protests since 2024
- Local work for Georgian clients may need a labour permit
How to move to Georgia: main visa and residency routes
Summaries only — requirements and income thresholds change. Always check the official sources below.
- Visa-free stay
- Citizens of around 95 countries can stay up to 365 days without a visa and work remotely for foreign clients.
- Temporary residence for work or business
- For employees of Georgian companies or owners of Georgian businesses meeting turnover or investment thresholds.
- Investment residence
- Permanent residence for a qualifying real estate or business investment.
Healthcare for newcomers
Private clinics in Tbilisi and Batumi are modern and inexpensive. Foreigners generally use private health insurance, as the universal health programme mainly covers citizens.
Cost of Living
Cost of living index: 28 (NYC = 100)
Rent (1BR)
$550
Rent (3BR)
$950
Groceries
$180
Transport
$20
Utilities
$80
Internet
$20
Dining Out
$60
Tax System
Corporate Tax
15%
VAT / Sales Tax
18%
Social Security
2%
Capital Gains
20%
Income Tax Brackets
| Income Range (USD) | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - Above | 20% |
Culture
Georgia sits where Europe meets Asia, between the Caucasus mountains and the Black Sea. It has its own alphabet, an 8,000-year winemaking tradition and a culture of hospitality in which guests are seen as a gift from God.
Traditions
- The supra feast led by a tamada (toastmaster)
- Rtveli grape harvest
- Polyphonic singing (UNESCO-listed)
- Tbilisoba city festival
Cultural Values
- Hospitality
- Family
- Faith
- National pride
Common Greeting: Gamarjoba!
Cultural Tips
- • At a supra, wait for the tamada’s toast before drinking
- • Dress modestly and cover your head (women) in churches
- • Refusing food or wine can seem impolite
- • Georgian Orthodox Christmas is on 7 January
🍽 Food & Cuisine
Georgian cuisine is one of the great undiscovered food cultures of the world, famous for cheese breads, dumplings, walnut sauces and natural qvevri wine.
Khachapuri
Cheese-filled bread; the Adjarian version is boat-shaped with an egg and butter
Khinkali
Twisted soup dumplings filled with spiced meat, eaten by hand
Badrijani nigvzit
Fried aubergine rolls filled with garlicky walnut paste
Churchkhela
Walnuts threaded on string and dipped in thickened grape juice
Sources and methodology
Figures on this page are estimates in US dollars, compiled from the international datasets below and converted at recent exchange rates. The cost of living index uses New York City as 100. Guidance was last reviewed on . Found something out of date? Tell us.
Official Georgia sources
Data sources
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — individual income tax
- Numbeo — cost of living (crowdsourced prices)
- World Bank Open Data — economic and population indicators
- OECD Tax Database — tax rates and social contributions
- ILOSTAT — employment and unemployment
- UNDP Human Development Reports — health and education
- UN World Population Prospects — population
Quality of Life
Job Market
Average Annual Salary
$9,000
Job Difficulty
Moderate
Unemployment Rate
13.9%
Work Permit Required
Yes
Top Industries
Languages
Official Languages
Other Languages Spoken