How to Extend Your Stay in Georgia: A Long-Term Nomad’s Handbook

Before You Commit to Georgia Long-Term

Georgia’s reputation as a nomad-friendly country has grown fast — maybe too fast. In 2026, the Tbilisi rental market is tighter than it was two years ago, the tax authority is paying closer attention to foreign residents, and a handful of outdated blog posts still circulate advice that no longer applies. If you are planning to stay for more than a few weeks, the difference between doing this right and doing it carelessly can mean real financial and legal headaches. This handbook covers the actual mechanics: visas, tax registration, insurance, rent, and the mistakes that catch people off guard.

The 365-Day Visa-Free Stay — What the Rules Actually Say

Citizens of around 100 countries — including the United States, the United Kingdom, EU member states, Canada, and Australia — can enter Georgia and stay visa-free for up to 365 days in a calendar year. This is not a tourist visa. There is no sticker, no stamp beyond standard border entry, and no registration required at a police station. You simply arrive, the border officer stamps your passport, and the clock starts.

The 365 days are calculated per calendar year, not as a rolling 12-month window. That means if you entered in October 2025 and stayed through March 2026, only the days spent in 2026 count against your 2026 allowance. Many nomads use this to their advantage by timing entries around the new year.

A few things people get wrong:

• There is no automatic reset at the border. Leaving Georgia for a day and returning does not restart your 365-day counter within the same calendar year.
• Working remotely for a foreign employer is not considered “working in Georgia” under Georgian labour law, so visa-free status covers it without additional permits — provided your income source is outside the country.

Check the current list of eligible nationalities at the official Georgian e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.ge) before travelling, as the list is reviewed periodically.

The “Remotely from Georgia” Programme — 2026 Status

The Remotely from Georgia programme was launched in 2020 as a fast-track framework for remote workers. By 2026 it has matured into a well-defined pathway, though its practical advantage over simply staying visa-free has narrowed for many nationalities that already get 365 days.

Where it still adds value:

• Nationals who do not qualify for 365-day visa-free entry can use the programme to obtain a one-year Type D visa, granting the same duration of stay.
• Programme participants get a dedicated support channel through Enterprise Georgia, which can help navigate bureaucratic processes faster than going it alone.
• It creates a formal paper trail that some banks and landlords find reassuring when you are trying to open an account or sign a long-term lease.

Requirements as of 2026: you must demonstrate a monthly income of at least USD 2,000 from a source outside Georgia. Acceptable proof includes employer letters, recent bank statements, or freelance contracts. The application is submitted online and processed within roughly 10 business days. There is no programme fee, though the visa itself carries a standard consular charge if you are applying from a country where you need the Type D visa.

One honest caveat: the programme does not grant any special tax exemption. If you spend more than 183 days in Georgia and earn income, the Revenue Service considers you a tax resident regardless of whether you registered through Remotely from Georgia or simply stayed on visa-free entry.

Setting Up as an Individual Entrepreneur — The 1% Tax Regime

Georgia’s small business tax regime is one of the most straightforward in the world, and it is genuinely as good as it sounds — with conditions.

Registering as an Individual Entrepreneur (IE) at the National Agency of Public Registry takes about one working day and costs under 20 GEL. Once registered, you can apply for Small Business Status, which caps your income tax at 1% of gross annual turnover, provided that turnover stays below 500,000 GEL per year. Above that threshold, the rate steps up to 3%.

What this covers in practice for most nomads:

• Freelance income billed to foreign clients
• Consulting fees
• Software development, design, copywriting — any service exported from Georgia

What it does not cover:

• Trading in goods (different rules apply)
• Certain regulated professions including legal and medical services
• Income that originates from Georgian clients if you are also claiming the IE exemption — that gets more complicated

The Revenue Service (rs.ge) requires quarterly tax declarations. You pay 1% on whatever you invoiced that quarter, converted to GEL at the National Bank rate on the transaction date. There is no minimum payment, no monthly flat fee, and no social contribution requirement under this status — a significant difference from many European freelancer frameworks.

One important detail that changed in 2025: the Revenue Service now expects IE-registered foreign nationals to maintain a Georgian bank account as the primary account for business transactions. Routing all income through a foreign account while declaring Georgian IE status is an area of increased scrutiny.

Health Insurance: What You Need and What It Costs

Georgia’s public healthcare system covers Georgian citizens. As a foreign long-term resident, you are responsible for your own coverage, and this is not a detail to skip.

The Remotely from Georgia programme requires proof of health insurance as part of the application. Even if you are staying visa-free without registering for the programme, a medical emergency in Tbilisi can be expensive without coverage — a standard hospital stay runs 300–800 GEL per night in a private hospital, and that is before any procedures.

Your options in 2026:

• International travel insurance extended for long stays: providers like SafetyWing and CIGNA Global offer policies that work in Georgia. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance runs approximately 45–65 USD per month depending on your age and coverage level. These work for most situations but cap payouts and may exclude pre-existing conditions.
• Georgian domestic health insurance: Companies like Imedi L, Archimed+, and GPI offer annual plans that cover you within Georgia’s private hospital network. Basic annual plans start around 400–600 GEL per year. Comprehensive plans with dental and specialist cover run 1,200–2,500 GEL annually. The advantage is direct billing with hospitals — no reimbursement paperwork.
• Combined approach: Many long-term nomads buy a basic Georgian domestic plan for in-country day-to-day use and keep a lighter international policy for travel outside Georgia.

If you have registered as an IE, your health insurance premium is not tax-deductible under the small business regime. Factor it as a fixed monthly cost.

Finding Long-Term Accommodation — 2026 Rental Reality

Rental prices across Georgia’s main cities have risen noticeably since 2023. The wave of relocators that arrived between 2022 and 2024 pushed up demand in Tbilisi especially, and while the market has stabilised, it has not reverted to pre-2022 prices.

Expect to negotiate. Landlords on platforms like MyHome.ge often list at the top of the range and expect some back-and-forth, particularly for leases of six months or longer. Paying three months upfront is a common way to secure a discount.

Tbilisi

A furnished one-bedroom apartment in a central district (Vera, Vake, Saburtalo) now runs 1,800–3,200 GEL per month. Further out — Didi Dighomi, Gldani, Isani — you can find comparable spaces for 1,200–1,800 GEL. Older Soviet-era blocks in outer districts often have unreliable hot water; always ask about the building’s boiler system before signing anything.

Kutaisi

Georgia’s second-largest city remains significantly cheaper. A central furnished one-bedroom goes for 700–1,100 GEL per month. Kutaisi has improved its connectivity — Wizz Air and Ryanair both expanded routes through Kutaisi International Airport in 2025, making it a practical base for nomads who travel frequently within Europe. The city is quieter than Tbilisi, which suits some people and frustrates others.

Batumi

Batumi operates on a two-speed market. During the summer season (June–September), short-term demand drives prices to 2,500–4,000 GEL for a decent one-bedroom near the seafront. Off-season, the same apartment might go for 1,000–1,600 GEL. If you plan to stay year-round, negotiate a fixed annual rate in autumn — landlords are often motivated to lock in income before the winter slowdown. The city’s humidity and the salt air from the Black Sea are things you either love or notice daily on your skin and in your sinuses.

2026 Budget Reality — Monthly Costs by Tier

These figures are for a single person living and working remotely. They reflect 2026 prices and assume you are cooking some meals at home, using public transport most days, and not living extravagantly.

Budget (tight but comfortable)

• Rent (outer Tbilisi or Kutaisi): 900–1,200 GEL
• Groceries: 400–550 GEL
• Utilities (gas, electricity, water): 120–200 GEL
• Internet (home fibre): 30–50 GEL
• Health insurance (basic domestic plan): 50–80 GEL
• Transport (metro/bus): 40–60 GEL
• Eating out occasionally, entertainment: 300–450 GEL
• Total: approximately 1,840–2,590 GEL/month

Mid-Range (central Tbilisi, comfortable lifestyle)

• Rent: 1,800–2,400 GEL
• Groceries: 600–800 GEL
• Utilities: 150–250 GEL
• Internet: 30–50 GEL
• Health insurance (comprehensive plan): 130–180 GEL
• Transport (mix of metro and occasional taxi): 100–150 GEL
• Dining out regularly, gym, entertainment: 700–1,000 GEL
• Total: approximately 3,510–4,830 GEL/month

Comfortable (well-appointed apartment, fewer compromises)

• Rent: 2,800–4,000 GEL
• Groceries and imported goods: 900–1,200 GEL
• Utilities: 200–350 GEL
• Internet + mobile data plan: 60–80 GEL
• Health insurance (international-grade): 250–350 GEL
• Transport (own car or regular taxis): 400–600 GEL
• Dining, travel within Georgia, leisure: 1,200–1,800 GEL
• Total: approximately 5,810–8,380 GEL/month

Banking, SIM Cards, and Staying Connected

Opening a Georgian bank account as a foreigner is considerably easier than in most countries. TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia are the two main options and both have English-language apps and interfaces. You will need your passport and, increasingly, proof of address or IE registration. In 2026, both banks have tightened KYC (Know Your Customer) checks for non-residents following updated AML regulations — expect questions about your income source and be ready to provide documentation.

A basic current account with a Visa or Mastercard debit card is free at both banks. TBC’s app-based account (Space) allows you to open an account without visiting a branch if you have an existing Georgian phone number — useful for the first weeks. Multi-currency accounts (USD, EUR, GEL) are available and practical for nomads receiving foreign income.

For mobile connectivity, Magti, Geocell (Silknet), and Beeline all offer prepaid and monthly SIM plans. A data-heavy monthly plan (20–50 GB) runs 25–45 GEL. Coverage in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi is strong on all three networks. In rural mountain areas, Magti historically has the best reach, though all networks have gaps above 2,000 metres elevation.

Home fibre internet through providers like Silknet or Caucasus Online delivers speeds of 100–300 Mbps for 25–50 GEL per month. Setup can take 3–7 days in central Tbilisi, longer in other cities.

Common Mistakes That Get Nomads Into Trouble

Most problems long-term nomads encounter in Georgia are avoidable. Here are the ones that come up repeatedly.

1. Assuming visa-free means tax-free. Staying more than 183 days makes you a Georgian tax resident. Ignoring this and earning income without registering is not a grey area — it is non-compliance.
2. Signing a short-term lease at long-term prices. Landlords sometimes list monthly rates but write a short-term clause that lets them raise the rent after 30 days. Read the lease in full, or pay a local lawyer 100–150 GEL to review it.
3. Using a foreign bank account exclusively while registered as an IE. As noted above, this is now a flag for the Revenue Service. Open a Georgian account early.
4. Not declaring on time. IE quarterly declarations are due within 15 days of the end of each quarter. Missing them incurs automatic fines of 200–400 GEL per late filing.
5. Underestimating utility costs in winter. Georgian apartments, particularly in older buildings, are often poorly insulated. Gas heating bills in Tbilisi from November to February can reach 200–400 GEL per month in a poorly insulated flat — a cost that is invisible when you view an apartment in September.
6. Relying on outdated Facebook group advice. The rules around the Remotely from Georgia programme, tax status, and banking requirements have all changed since 2022. Always verify against official sources: rs.ge for tax, napr.gov.ge for business registration, evisa.gov.ge for entry rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay in Georgia for more than one year without leaving?

The standard visa-free allowance is 365 days per calendar year for eligible nationalities. To stay beyond that, you would need to obtain a residency permit or qualify for the Remotely from Georgia Type D visa. Residency permits are available on various grounds including property ownership, investment, or employment with a Georgian company.

Do I have to pay Georgian income tax if I work remotely for a foreign company?

If you spend more than 183 days in Georgia in a calendar year, you are considered a tax resident. Remote income from foreign employers is technically taxable in Georgia. Most nomads address this by registering as an Individual Entrepreneur under the 1% small business regime, which is designed precisely for this situation. Taking no action is not a safe option.

Is health insurance mandatory for long-term stays in Georgia?

It is mandatory if you apply for the Remotely from Georgia programme. For those staying on the standard visa-free entry, there is no legal requirement — but the practical risk of being uninsured in a country without public healthcare for foreigners makes it a poor economy. Basic annual domestic plans start around 400–600 GEL.

How long does it take to open a bank account in Georgia as a foreigner?

With a passport and a Georgian phone number, TBC Bank’s Space app-based account can be opened within a few hours without visiting a branch. Traditional in-branch account opening at TBC or Bank of Georgia typically takes one to two business days. Having your IE registration documents speeds the process and expands your account options.

What happens if I overstay the 365-day visa-free limit?

Overstaying is treated as an administrative violation. Fines start at 500 GEL per day of overstay. At the border, you will need to pay the fine before departure. Repeated or extended overstays can result in a ban on re-entry. The border authority’s database is fully digital, so there is no way to avoid detection at exit.

📷 Featured image by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash.