Living in Georgia as a Foreigner: A Digital Nomad’s Practical Handbook

How Long You Can Actually Stay in Georgia Without a Visa

Georgia’s visa-free policy is one of the most generous in the world, but in 2026 there is still widespread confusion about how it actually works — especially among people planning to stay for several months rather than a weekend trip. Getting this wrong can cost you a flight home at short notice. Here is the clear version.

Citizens of most EU countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and around 95 other nationalities can enter Georgia and stay visa-free for up to 365 days in a single stretch. This is not a rolling 180-day rule like the Schengen zone. You get one continuous year from the date of entry. After that year is up, you must leave Georgian territory. Once you exit — even for a single day — the clock resets and you can re-enter for another 365 days. Many long-term residents make a short trip to Armenia or Azerbaijan when their year approaches its end.

If your country is not on the visa-free list, Georgia operates a straightforward e-visa system. Applications are submitted at evisa.gov.ge and are typically processed within five business days. In 2026, the e-visa grants a 90-day stay per 180 days, which is more restrictive than the visa-free option. Check your eligibility carefully before assuming the year-long access applies to you.

Staying longer than one year without leaving requires a formal residence permit. The most practical route for working foreigners is the residence permit tied to individual entrepreneur status, which links neatly to the tax arrangement described in the next section.

Making Your Income Legal — the 1% Small Business Tax Regime

Georgia is not a tax haven in the traditional offshore sense, but its tax system for small self-employed individuals is genuinely one of the simplest in Europe or its near neighbourhood. The arrangement that most digital nomads use is called Individual Entrepreneur (IE) status, combined with the Small Business Status that triggers a flat 1% income tax on gross turnover.

Here is how it works in practice. You register as an Individual Entrepreneur at the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR) — the process takes one working day in person at a Justice House, or slightly longer if you use the online portal introduced in late 2024. You then apply separately at the Revenue Service for Small Business Status. Once approved, every lari you earn through that entity is taxed at 1% flat. There is no corporate tax, no dividend tax to worry about at this level, and no VAT obligation unless your annual turnover exceeds 100,000 GEL (approximately 35,000 USD at 2026 exchange rates).

There are important conditions. Your annual turnover must stay under 500,000 GEL to retain Small Business Status. The 1% rate applies to revenue from services — writing, design, development, consulting, and similar remote work. If you are selling physical goods or have certain other income types, different rates may apply. The Revenue Service has tightened scrutiny of IE registrations since 2025, so it is worth having an accountant review your specific situation. Georgian accountants who work with expats charge roughly 150–300 GEL per month for basic bookkeeping and filings.

Tax declarations are filed quarterly. Payments are made through the Revenue Service’s online portal, which now has a functional English-language interface as of 2026. Most expat freelancers find the whole system takes about two hours per quarter to manage once they understand it.

The Remotely from Georgia Programme in 2026

The Remotely from Georgia (RFG) programme was launched in 2020 and has been refined several times since. In 2026 it remains active but its role has shifted somewhat — for most nationalities who already qualify for visa-free access, the programme’s core benefit (legal residency confirmation for remote workers) overlaps with what the standard visa-free stay already provides. That said, it still offers specific advantages worth understanding.

The programme is administered through Georgia’s Enterprise Development Agency and is aimed at non-Georgian citizens who work remotely for a foreign employer or run a foreign-registered business. Eligibility in 2026 requires proof of remote employment or self-employment, a minimum monthly income of 2,000 USD (verified by bank statements or employment contracts), and a valid passport. The application is submitted online and decisions typically come within ten working days.

What RFG gives you in practice: a formal letter of residency status that some banks and landlords recognise, a support network of official contacts, and — importantly — a smoother path to opening a bank account if you haven’t yet established IE status. For those from countries outside the main visa-free list who enter on an e-visa, the RFG can support a longer-stay residence application.

One honest caveat: the programme does not exempt you from local tax obligations if you are physically present in Georgia for more than 183 days in a calendar year, at which point Georgia considers you a tax resident. If you plan to stay long-term and earn income, registering as an IE and paying the 1% rate is cleaner than leaving your tax status ambiguous.

Finding a Place to Live — Rental Costs Across Georgia

Rental prices in Georgia’s three main cities have stabilised somewhat in 2026 after the sharp increases seen in 2022–2023. They are still higher than they were in 2020, but the market has normalised and landlords are again negotiating, particularly for stays of three months or more. Furnished apartments are the norm for expat rentals, which means you can arrive with luggage and move straight in.

Tbilisi

The capital remains the most expensive option. A one-bedroom furnished apartment in a central district — think Vake, Vera, or Saburtalo — runs between 1,400 and 2,400 GEL per month in 2026. For a two-bedroom apartment suitable for someone needing a dedicated workspace, expect 2,000–3,500 GEL. More affordable options exist in districts like Gldani or Didi Dighomi, where a one-bedroom can drop to 900–1,200 GEL, though commute times and infrastructure quality vary. Short-term rentals (under one month) command a premium of roughly 30–40% over monthly rates.

Kutaisi

Georgia’s second city is significantly cheaper and increasingly popular with remote workers who want a slower pace. A furnished one-bedroom in Kutaisi’s centre costs 700–1,100 GEL per month. Internet infrastructure has improved markedly since 2024 following investment linked to the city’s growing status as a regional hub. The Kutaisi International Airport now serves more direct European routes than it did two years ago, making occasional travel back to Europe straightforward.

Batumi

Batumi on the Black Sea coast is highly seasonal. During summer (June–September) rental prices spike and a modest one-bedroom can reach 2,000 GEL or more. From October through April, the same apartment might cost 800–1,300 GEL. If you plan to be in Georgia during winter months, Batumi in the off-season is genuinely good value and the city is far more liveable when the summer crowds are gone — the sea air carries the faint salt-and-pine smell of a place that belongs to its residents again.

For all cities, lease agreements should be registered with the Revenue Service if you want to use the rental as a legitimate address for your IE registration. Most landlords are familiar with this process in 2026, though some still prefer informal arrangements.

Health Insurance — What You Need and What It Costs

Georgia has no public health system that covers foreign residents for free. If you get sick or injured without insurance, you pay out of pocket, and costs at private hospitals — which are the standard option in Tbilisi — can add up fast. This is not an area to cut corners on.

The Remotely from Georgia programme formally requires proof of health insurance as part of its application. Even if you are not applying through RFG, any rational long-stay plan should include coverage.

In 2026, the main options are:

• Georgian domestic insurance (Aldagi, GPI, IMEDI L) — these are local insurers offering coverage valid within Georgia. A basic plan covering outpatient visits, hospitalisation, and emergency care costs roughly 80–150 GEL per month for a healthy adult under 40. These plans are accepted at most private clinics in Tbilisi and other cities.
• International travel/expat insurance (SafetyWing, Cigna Global, Allianz Care) — these cost more, typically 200–450 GEL per month equivalent, but cover you if you travel outside Georgia too. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance remains popular among freelancers for its flexibility — you can pause and restart coverage around your travel schedule.

If you have a pre-existing condition, read policy exclusions carefully before committing. Georgian domestic insurers often apply waiting periods of 3–6 months for pre-existing conditions.

2026 Budget Reality — Full Cost-of-Living by Tier

These figures reflect what a single adult actually spends living in Tbilisi in 2026. Kutaisi runs 20–30% cheaper across most categories; Batumi varies sharply by season.

Budget (bare minimum, modest lifestyle)

• Rent (1BR, outer district): 900–1,100 GEL
• Groceries: 400–500 GEL
• Eating out (occasional, local places): 150–250 GEL
• Transport (bus/metro, no taxi): 40–60 GEL
• Health insurance (domestic basic): 80–100 GEL
• Utilities + internet: 120–160 GEL
• Total: approximately 1,700–2,200 GEL/month (roughly 600–780 USD)

Mid-Range (comfortable, central location, occasional travel)

• Rent (1BR, central district): 1,600–2,000 GEL
• Groceries: 550–700 GEL
• Eating out and cafes: 400–600 GEL
• Transport (mix of metro and rideshare): 150–200 GEL
• Health insurance (international): 250–350 GEL
• Utilities + internet: 150–200 GEL
• Entertainment, gym, misc: 200–350 GEL
• Total: approximately 3,300–4,400 GEL/month (roughly 1,150–1,550 USD)

Comfortable (two-bedroom, regular dining out, monthly travel)

• Rent (2BR, good district): 2,500–3,500 GEL
• All living costs scaled up accordingly
• Total: approximately 5,500–7,500 GEL/month (roughly 1,950–2,650 USD)

Georgia’s value proposition in 2026 holds up well against comparable digital nomad bases in Southeast Asia or Eastern Europe, particularly when you factor in the zero-hassle visa situation and the legitimate low-tax business structure.

Banking and Getting Paid in Georgia

Banking is the step that causes the most friction for newcomers, and understanding the landscape upfront saves real headaches. Georgian banks are solid and internationally connected, but they are also cautious with new foreign applicants following compliance tightening across the region since 2023.

The two main banks used by expats are TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia. Both offer multi-currency accounts (GEL, USD, EUR) and have English-language apps that work well. To open an account in 2026, you typically need:

1. Your passport
2. Proof of address in Georgia (a lease agreement or utility bill)
3. Proof of income source (employment contract, client invoices, or IE registration documents)
4. An explanation of expected transaction volumes

Without a Georgian address or IE registration, banks often decline foreign applicants at the retail counter. This is why registering as an IE — even before you have local clients — is useful: it gives you a legitimate paper trail that satisfies bank compliance departments.

For receiving international payments, SWIFT transfers to Georgian bank accounts work reliably. Wise (formerly TransferWise) is widely used for moving money in and out at mid-market rates. Georgian banks charge international wire fees of roughly 25–40 GEL per incoming transfer, so batching payments monthly rather than weekly saves money.

Georgian-issued Visa and Mastercard debit cards from TBC and Bank of Georgia work internationally without issue. Contactless payments are standard in Tbilisi and Batumi; smaller towns still lean on cash for many transactions.

What Has Changed Since 2024

Georgia’s infrastructure and administrative systems have moved forward meaningfully in the past two years, and some of what you read in older nomad guides is now out of date.

Tbilisi Metro expansion: The long-delayed extension of Line 1 toward Digomi was completed in late 2025, adding two new stations and reducing reliance on marshrutkas (minibuses) for residents in the northwestern suburbs. Tap-to-pay entry using Georgian bank cards was rolled out across all stations in early 2026.

New flight routes: Kutaisi International Airport added direct routes to several new European cities in 2025–2026, including connections that previously required a transit stop. Tbilisi International Airport’s terminal expansion completed in mid-2025 has reduced congestion significantly; the passenger experience during peak seasons is noticeably better than two years ago.

E-visa updates: Georgia streamlined its e-visa portal in 2025. Processing times are now more consistently within the five-business-day window, and the system accepts a wider range of supporting documents in digital format. The fee structure remained unchanged.

IE registration online: The National Agency of Public Registry now allows full Individual Entrepreneur registration via its online portal for most nationalities, removing the requirement to visit a Justice House in person. This was a significant quality-of-life improvement introduced in late 2024.

Georgian Railway schedule changes: The Tbilisi–Batumi express service now runs four times daily in both directions (up from three), with the fastest journey at 5 hours 20 minutes. Booking is available online up to 30 days in advance through the Georgian Railway app, which added an English-language interface in 2025.

One thing that has not changed: Georgia remains politically complex and the situation near the South Ossetia and Abkhazia administrative boundary lines requires continued attention. Check your government’s travel advisories before travel near those regions, and understand that those territories are not accessible through the standard Georgian entry process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my address with Georgian authorities when I arrive?

There is no mandatory address registration for visa-free visitors staying under 365 days. However, if you register as an Individual Entrepreneur or apply for a residence permit, you will need a verifiable Georgian address. A lease agreement registered with the Revenue Service fulfils this requirement and is straightforward to arrange with most landlords in 2026.

Can I bring my non-Georgian partner and they stay legally too?

If your partner’s nationality qualifies for Georgia’s visa-free access, they simply enter independently and receive their own 365-day stay. Their stay is entirely separate from yours and does not depend on your visa or IE status. If their nationality requires an e-visa, they apply individually through evisa.gov.ge before travelling.

Is the 1% tax rate really the effective rate, or are there additional charges on top?

The 1% applies to gross turnover under Small Business Status. There is no additional social security contribution required at this level for IE holders. If your turnover exceeds 100,000 GEL annually, you must register for VAT, adding an 18% VAT obligation on applicable services. Below that threshold, the 1% is genuinely your total Georgian tax bill on business income.

How reliable is internet connectivity for remote work across Georgia?

In Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi, fibre connections of 100–500 Mbps are standard in most residential buildings and cost 35–60 GEL per month. Mobile data coverage via Magti, Geocell (Silknet), and Beeline is solid throughout urban areas. Mountain regions such as Kazbegi have improved significantly since 2024 but still experience outages during heavy snowfall. Always have a mobile data backup plan if you travel outside the main cities.

What happens if I get seriously ill — is Georgian healthcare adequate?

Private hospitals in Tbilisi, particularly Evex hospital group facilities and the Tbilisi referral hospital, provide a standard of care that handles most conditions competently. Serious or complex cases are sometimes referred to Turkey or Germany. This is exactly why international health insurance is strongly recommended over domestic-only cover for long stays — it typically includes medical evacuation if needed, which domestic Georgian policies generally do not.

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📷 Featured image by Bao Menglong on Unsplash.