Moving to Georgia in 2026: visas, costs, and first steps

Americans — and citizens of many other nationalities — can enter Georgia and stay up to 365 days without any visa at all. That's not a typo: a full calendar year, no application, no fee. For most people considering a move, this is the starting point, not a formal program.

If you want to stay longer, work formally, or build a path toward residency, Georgia has a dedicated remote-work program: Remotely from Georgia. The bar is a documented income of $2,000 per month, or $24,000 in savings. The permit runs 12 months, family members can be included, and it does not lead to permanent residency. That last point matters if long-term legal status is your goal — this program is a stay extension, not a settlement route.

The official source for applications and documentation requirements is the Georgian Consular Department. Requirements, processing times, and refusal rates can shift — the program saw tighter scrutiny after a surge in applications following 2022. Check the official portal for current guidance before submitting anything.

If you want to see how this program stacks up against other countries, the cost of living comparison across destinations and the Georgia vs. Turkey comparison are worth a look before you commit.

Georgia is still a budget destination by global standards, but the gap has narrowed. Prices rose 20–40% after the 2022 influx of remote workers and relocators, and prime-location modern flats now reach $800–1,200 per month. That's still well below Western Europe, but it's no longer the outlier bargain it once was.

A realistic monthly budget for a single person runs $1,000–1,500, covering rent, food, transport, and utilities. One-bedroom apartments across Tbilisi range from $450–850 depending on location and building quality. Fast internet is widely available and cheap, which is a genuine differentiator for remote workers.

Outside Tbilisi, costs drop further, but so does English-language infrastructure, modern amenities, and reliable connectivity. Most expats base themselves in the capital for the first stretch and explore from there. For a side-by-side look at Georgia against other popular destinations, see the full cost of living comparison.

Georgia's healthcare system is mostly private. The state runs a Universal Health Care programme, but it's built for citizens — foreign residents can technically register but receive far narrower benefits, and anyone without residency pays 100% out of pocket. In practice, expats don't rely on the public system.

The good news: local private health insurance runs $50–100 per month and is easy to buy. Modern private clinics in Tbilisi offer solid, accessible care and are well-practiced with the large digital-nomad community. The Ministry of Health of Georgia publishes the official framework for the public program.

Visa-free entry is frictionless, but living here requires a few deliberate steps. The Georgia first-90-days playbook covers this in full detail; here's the shape of it.

• Residence permit (if you need one): Americans on visa-free stays don't register on arrival. If you're applying for a permit — through Remotely from Georgia or another documented basis — file at a Public Service Hall (PSDA) at least 40 calendar days before your legal stay expires. Refusals have risen since 2023; a documented income or property basis is required.
• Tax ID (TIN): Issued same-day at a Revenue Service center or Public Service Hall with just your passport. Individual Entrepreneur registration assigns one in the same step and is what unlocks the 1% small-business tax regime. Without it, you can't invoice, file, or access the favorable rate.
• Banking: TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia both open accounts same-day with a passport. Since 2022, compliance questionnaires on source of funds and local ties have tightened and refusals happen. US persons sign FATCA consent forms — bring documentation of your income source.
• Driver's license: A valid foreign license is commonly usable and exchanges test-free at the MIA Service Agency (the original is surrendered). Since May 2025, sitting the local exams instead requires a residence permit or 185 days of stay.

Georgia's combination of visa-free access, low tax, and affordable rent is unusual. But it's not the only option in this tier. If you're also weighing Southern Europe, the Portugal vs. Georgia comparison and Spain vs. Georgia comparison break down the key differences — cost, residency paths, healthcare, and tax treatment — side by side.

For a full picture of every residency route Georgia offers, including the requirements and trade-offs not covered by the remote-work program, see Georgia: every visa and residency route.

Georgia matches people who want low overhead, fast setup, and flexibility — and who don't need a direct path to permanent residency right now. The 365-day visa-free window is genuinely rare. The tax treatment of foreign income is among the most favorable anywhere. Tbilisi has real infrastructure for remote workers: fast internet, a large expat community, and affordable private healthcare.

The trade-offs are real too. Prices are no longer as low as they were. The public healthcare system doesn't cover you. Residency permits don't lead to PR. And if you're a US citizen, your IRS obligations follow you regardless of where you live.

The published rules give you the framework. Whether a specific application succeeds is a decision each government makes on its own — Georgia's included. Check your own numbers against Georgia's routes to see which programs your situation matches before going further.