Moving to Georgia — residence, tax, bank, property: step by step
Moving to Georgia involves several legal steps: length of stay, a residence permit, the right to work, taxes, a bank account and property. Each step is summarised here and links to a detailed page. We help with every step — including by power of attorney while you are still abroad.
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The order matters: first the length of stay and residence, then work and tax questions, and finally the bank, business and property.
Step by step
- Length of stay: citizens of some countries can stay in Georgia visa-free for 1 year, others for 90 days in any 180 or on a visa. Overstaying leads to a fine and an entry ban — see "How long can foreigners stay in Georgia".
- Residence permit: the law provides, for example, work, family-reunion, investment and short-term (property) residence (Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, Article 15) — see "Residence permit" and "Residence through property or investment".
- Right to work: since 1 March 2026 a foreigner needs the right to labour activity to work or do business in Georgia, with exceptions set by law — see "Work permit".
- Tax: you become a Georgian tax resident if you spend 183 days or more in Georgia in any continuous 12 months (Tax Code, Article 34) — see "Tax residency".
- Business: a sole trader with small business status pays 1% on income, and 3% once it exceeds GEL 500,000 (Articles 89 and 90) — see "Work permit and sole trader" and "Company registration".
- Bank: a foreigner can open an account; in some cases through a power of attorney — see "Bank account for foreigners".
- Property and car: foreigners can buy flats and houses; agricultural land has special rules. Driving-licence rules — see "Driving in Georgia on a foreign licence".
Our services
- A moving plan for your country and purpose
- Obtaining the residence permit and the right to work
- Tax residency, sole trader status and the 1% tax
- Bank, company and buying property — including by power of attorney
- Apostille, translation and notarisation of documents
Questions & answers
What should I do first?
Find out how long you can stay visa-free, and which residence permit fits your purpose — work, business, family or property. The types of residence are listed in Article 15 of the law.
When do I become tax resident?
If you are in Georgia for 183 days or more in any continuous 12 calendar months — for that whole tax year (Tax Code, Article 34).
Does the 1% tax apply to everyone?
No. The 1% applies to the income of a sole trader with small business status; above GEL 500,000 a year it is 3% (Tax Code, Articles 89 and 90). A salary is not covered by the 1%.
Can I arrange everything from abroad?
Many steps — for example buying property or registering a company — can be done by power of attorney. You can also apply for a residence permit through a representative (Article 17 of the law).
Legal basis
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
Important: the information on this page is general and is not legal advice.
It reflects the law in force on the date of publication. The law may change, and every case is assessed individually. Do not make decisions based solely on this information — it is best to consult a lawyer first. MMLAW is not liable for decisions made using this information or for their consequences.
Related practice area: Administrative law
How we can help
Criminal cases
Defense if you are detained or charged — with an interpreter and contact with your consulate.Immigration cases
Refused entry? We find out why for 1 300 ₾. Also overstays, deportation and residence-permit appeals — fast and in your language.Buying property
Check the property, sign a safe contract and register ownership — in person or remotely.Disputes with developers
Construction is late, the developer won't refund, or the flat is mortgaged — we protect the buyer's interests.Company & business
LLC registration in Georgia for foreigners from 1 800 ₾, a virtual business address and bank account opening — in person or remotely.Work permit & sole trader
The right to work, registering as an individual entrepreneur, the 1% small business tax and the right residence permit.Residence permits
Work, business, property, family and investment residence permits — applications, extensions and appeals.Family cases
International divorce, children and alimony, recognition of foreign decisions.IT companies and IT specialists
Three tax regimes for IT in Georgia: 1% sole trader, virtual zone and 5% international company — conditions and the 2026 change.Gambling licence
Casino, slots, betting and online permits in Georgia: who can get one, the conditions and what operators may not do.Georgian citizenship for foreigners
The ordinary route (10 years), through marriage (5 years), the exceptional route and the rule for those born in Georgia — until 2027.Marriage in Georgia for foreigners
How foreigners marry in Georgia: conditions, documents, apostille, translation, witnesses and using the marriage certificate abroad.Driving licence for foreigners
A foreign licence is valid for 1 year: exchange, no exams, the 185-day rule for a Georgian licence, fines for driving without one.Bank account for non-residents
How a foreigner opens a personal or business account at a Georgian bank, what the bank asks for, why it refuses and how to prepare.Tax residency in Georgia
When you become a Georgian tax resident, the residence certificate, HNWI status and the exemption for foreign income.Double tax treaties
Georgia's double tax treaties: how they work, dual residency and the rates with the UK, Germany and the US.Crypto: tax and VASP registration
An individual's crypto income is tax-exempt; a crypto business needs National Bank VASP registration and capital.Checking a Georgian company
Before you pay or sign with a Georgian company: business registry, pledges, debtors register, court cases and tax debt.Land for foreigners
Foreigners can buy non-agricultural land; agricultural land only through inheritance or an investment plan.Working remotely from Georgia
Digital nomads and remote employees in Georgia: visa-free stay, the work permit question, the 20% tax trap and the 1% sole trader.A child of foreign parents born in Georgia
A child of foreign parents born in Georgia: birth certificate, apostille, citizenship, residence and leaving Georgia with the child.Car with foreign plates and customs clearance
Driving a foreign-registered car in Georgia: the 90-day limit, border insurance, fines, selling the car and import excise from 2026.How long you can stay
1 year visa-free for listed countries, 90 days in 180 or a visa for others: counting days, visa runs, residence, overstay fines.What you can bring into Georgia
Georgia's duty-free allowances: GEL 3,000 by air, GEL 500 otherwise, alcohol, cigarettes, cash to GEL 30,000, moving to Georgia.Laws for foreigners
What foreigners get fined for in Georgia: drinking in the street, smoking, marijuana, drink-driving, Abkhazia and overstaying.Power of attorney from abroad
How to give a lawyer in Georgia a power of attorney from abroad: when an order is enough, notary, apostille or legalisation, translation.Foreigner as a crime victim
If you were scammed, robbed or assaulted in Georgia: how to report it, victim rights, an interpreter and what happens if you leave the country.Car rental disputes
The rental company charges for damage or keeps your deposit: what the Civil Code and the Consumer Rights Law say.Injury on holiday — compensation
Injured at a hotel, in transport, at a ski resort or on a tourist activity: who is liable and what you can claim.Residence through property or investment
Property worth over USD 150,000 or 300,000, or a USD 300,000 investment: short-term, investment and permanent residence.Need legal advice? Talk to an attorney today.
Consultations are confidential and cost from 300 GEL.